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Duplexĭuplex stainless steels are those which have equal amounts austenitic and ferritic crystalline structures. The first commercially developed stainless steels were martensitic. This high levels of toughness and hardness associated with tempered martensitic stainless steels are why it is commonly chosen for the production of medical tools.

This means that they can be hardened and tempered the same way that carbon and low-alloy steels are. Martensitic stainless steel has high chromium content and relatively high carbon content (as high as 1%) compared to the other types of stainless steel. Whereas austenitic stainless steel has a face-centered cubic structure, ferritic steel has a body-centered cubic structure.įerritic stainless steels are not as tough, durable, nor formidable as austenitic stainless steels, but they actually tend to have better resistance to stress corrosion cracking and are typically cheaper than austenitic steels. Ferriticįerritic stainless steels have chromium content ranging from 10%-18% and low carbon content (typically less than 0.1%). This microstructure gives austenitic steel good formability and weldability.ĭue to its toughness, weldability, and formability, austenitic steel is far and away the most popular stainless steel as it comprises around 70% of stainless steel production.Īustenitic steel is technically classified as non-magnetic, but it usually will have some form of magnetic response depending on the specific composition of the steel. AusteniticĪustenitic steel is characterized by its face-centered cubic structure that is derived from additions of nickel, manganese, and nitrogen. This typically leaves stainless steel classified within one of four groups: austenitic, ferritic, martensitic, and duplex. When organizing the different types, stainless steel categories are broken down by the kind of microstructure the stainless steel has. Many other elements may be added to imbue different properties or characteristics which means there are many types of stainless steels out there. Stainless steel is defined as a steel alloy that contains at least 10.5% chromium.
