Common Casting Stainless Steel Grades
Oct. 11, 2021
Stainless steel castings
Stainless steel has the characteristics of non-rust, corrosion resistance and bright appearance, so it has been the molding material for various metal products. Stainless steel casting, as the name implies, is the casting process of stainless steel alloy. Investment casting or lost wax casting, is the most precise casting method for manufacturing stainless steel products, especially those with irregular or complex structures, so stainless steel investment casting is almost equivalent to stainless steel precision casting. The whole casting stainless steel process contains several steps: mold making, wax mold making, tree assembly, dipping and dewaxing, pouring, etc.
Common casting stainless steel grades
304
An austenitic stainless steel with Ni content greater than 8%, a food grade alloy that can be used for casting domestic and commercial stainless steel parts. It is the most widely used stainless steel casting material. 304 stainless steel castings can be used in environments where air is less corrosive. Used in medical, food industry, chemical industry, mechanical equipment, piping industry, automotive industry, etc.
316
There are also austenitic stainless steels with a nickel content of more than 10%. Due to the higher Ni content, 316 stainless steel castings have better corrosion resistance than 304 stainless steel castings. Such stainless steel castings are more suitable for marine environments, where air conditions are relatively harsh, or where exposure to chemicals is required. Used in fire fighting, auto parts, marine hardware, chemical, piping, construction, decoration, food industry, etc.
304L / 316L
Mechanical properties close to 304 and 316 materials. L represents a lower carbon content, making the material more ductile, with good welding properties and more reliable corrosion resistance. Price is higher than the same grade material. Used for food, chemical, medical, piping, etc.
410 & 416
400 series belongs to martensitic stainless steel, which is characterized by high strength, good machinability, high hardness in heat treatment, and does not contain Ni, so it has weaker corrosion resistance. Used for automotive parts, tools, cutters, etc.
17-4 PH
17-4 is a martensitic stainless steel with a Ni content of 3%-5% and good corrosion resistance. It has the highest strength in the stainless steel series and is usually used for products and parts that are not easily deformed. It is used for military, medical, mechanical parts, machine tools, turbine blades, etc.
2205
Duplex stainless steel 2205 is a composite stainless steel consisting of 22% chromium, 2.5% molybdenum and 4.5% nickel-nitrogen, with high strength, good impact toughness and good overall and local stress corrosion resistance. Used in sports, pump and valve industry, etc.
