Simplified Selection of Stainless Steels

Three parameters are important to consider when selecting a particular grade of stainless steel for a given application. These parameters are in order of decreasing importance  

Corrosion resistance. This is the most important property to consider when selecting a stainless steel. Actually, the corrosion resistance is always the primary reason when considering Fe-Cr-Ni alloys. For best results, the maximum allowable corrosion rate, usually 50 pm/year (2 mils per year), along with an exact knowledge of the corrosive environment, must be known. 

Mechanical strength. The mechanical strength is the second most important parameter, especially for designing structural applications. 

Fabrication. The capabilities of the stainless steel to be machined, welded, cold worked, and heat treated are, in combination with the two previous parameters, an important parameter to take into account from a technical and a cost-assesment point of view. 

Collective (1969) Simplifying stainless steel selection with Carpenter s Selectally method. Carpenter Technology, Reading, PA. 

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