What is stainless steel plate？
Stainless steel plate is often referred to as 'corrosion-resistant steel' - it does not stain, corrode or rust as easily as normal carbon steel. It would however be misleading to say it is corrosion-proof. It differs significantly from standard carbon steel due to the amount of chromium present, which limits surface corrosion unlike carbon steel which will rust when exposed to air and any moisture in the atmosphere.
The article contains following:
1,The grade of the stainless steel plate
2,Applications of Stainless Steel Plate
3,Physical properties of the stainless steel sheet
1,The grade of the stainless steel plate
The stainless steel sheet/plate is available in 300, 400 and 200 series. Each type has its own charac te ristics. The most popular grades are, 304 which can be easily roll-formed or shaped and due to its excellent corrosion resistance and weldability, it is one of the most popular grades available. 316 is an alloy that contains molybdenum which increases the corrosion resistance and is particularly effective in acidic environments as it provides a greater resistance to pitting corrosion. 321 is a variation of 304 with the addition of titanium, it is resistant to inter gra nular corrosion and has excellent weldability. Type 430 is a ferritic stainless steel alloy which offers good corrosion resistance and is predomi nately used in the domestic and catering industries.
Due to its anti-oxidation qualities, stainless steel is often a popular solution.
304 and 304L stainless steel plates are part of the austenitic family of stainless steel and they are one of the most versatile and widely used varieties of stainless plate. They are a relatively low cost stainless product and used in a variety of applications. 304 grades have excellent low temperature properties and respond well to hardening by cold working. 304 stainless steel plate grades have good welding characteristics and post weld annealing is not normally required to restore performance. 304 SS plates have excellent corrosion resistance in a variety of different media.There are many options available - for example adding carbon during the forming process will make the stainless steel more durable and stronger too.
2,Applications of Stainless Steel Plate
Where low maintenance and corrosion resistance is required, stainless steel plates are a natural choice and are used in a diverse range of applications from modern architecture for cladding or fascias, to the food hygiene industry due to its anti-bacterial qualities.
Variety of Stainless Steel Plate
Masteel can supply stainless steel in coils, sheets, plates and bars and ship the material worldwide.
Industrial Use of Stainless Steel Plate
Examples of industrial uses of stainless steel plate are listed below.
Chemical and fuel tankers
Chemical and petro-chemical plants
Food processing and pharmaceutical industries where clean environments are required
Construction, modern architecture
3,Physical properties of the stainless steel sheet
Electricity and magnetism
Like steel, stainless steel plate are relatively poor conductors of electricity, with significantly lower electrical conductivity than copper. In particular, the electrical contact resistance (ECR) of stainless steel arises as the result of the dense protective oxide layer, and limits is functionality in applications as electrical connectors [69]. Copper alloys and nickel coated connectors tend to exhibit lower ECR values, and are preferred materials for such applications. Nevertheless stainless steel plate are employed in situations with ECR poses a lower design criteria and corrosion resistance is required, for example in high temperatures and oxidizing environments [70].
Magnetic properties
Martensitic and ferritic stainless steels are magnetic.
Ferritic steel consists of ferrite crystals, a form of iron with up to 0.025% carbon. Due to its cubic crystalline structure, ferritic steel only absorbs a small amount of carbon, which consists of one iron in each corner and a central iron atom. The central atom is responsible for its magnetic properties.
Grades with low coercitive field Hc have been developed for electrovalves used in household appliances and for injection systems in internal combustion engines. Some applications require non-magnetic materials, such as magnetic resonance imaging.
Annealed austenitic stainless steel plates are usually non-magnetic, though work hardening can make cold-formed austenitic stainless steel plates slightly magnetic. Sometimes, if austenitic steel is bent or cut, magnetism occurs along the edge of the stainless steel because the crystal structure rearranges itself.
