Stainless steel’s resistance to corrosion and staining, low
maintenance, relatively low cost, and familiar luster make it an
ideal base material for a host of commercial applications, such as
storage tanks, kitchens and fooding processing plants, cookware,
cutlery, hardware, surgical instruments, major appliances,
industrial equipment, and as an automotive and aerospace structural
alloy and construction material in large buildings. Also, it’s used
for jewellery and watches. The most common stainless steel alloy
used for this is 316L. It can be re-finished by any jeweller and
will not oxidize or turn black.
Type& Application
300 Series-Austenitic Chromium-Nickel Alloys
Type
Property
304
The most common grade the most common grade; the classic 18/8
stainless steel. Also referred to as "A2" in accordance with ISO
3506
304L
Same as the 304 grade but contains less carbon to increase
weldability. Is slightly weaker than 304
316
2nd most common grade (after 304); for food and surgical stainless
steel uses; alloy addition of molybdenum prevents specific forms of
corrosion. It is also known as marine grade stainless steel due to
its increased resistance to chloride corrosion compared to type
304. 316 is often used for building nuclear reprocessing plants
316L
Extra low carbon grade of 316, generally used in stainless steel
watches and marine applications due to its high resistance to
corrosion. Also referred to as "A4" in accordance with ISO 3506
400 Series—Ferritic and Martensitic Chromium Alloys
Type
Property
410
Martensitic (high-strength iron/chromium). Wear-resistant, but less
corrosion-resistant
420
Cutlery Grade martensitic; similar to the Brearley's original
rustless steel. Excellent polishability
430
Decorative, e.g., for automotive trim; ferritic. Good formability,
but with reduced temperature and corrosion resistance
Stainless Steel Finishes
No.
Property
1
Hot rolled, annealed and passivated
2D
Cold rolled, annealed, pickled and passivated
2B
Same as above with additional pass-through highly polished rollers
3
Coarse abrasive finish applied mechanically
4
Brushed finish
7
Reflective finish
2B
Same as above with additional pass-through highly polished rollers
2BA
Bright annealed (BA or 2R) same as above then bright annealed under
oxygen-free atmospheric conditions