Alloying elements and scrap

The elements

The different alloying elements in stainless steel can be combined in different proportions to create a range of grades that are suitable for almost any application.

The global life cycle of stainless steels

Team Stainless has issued a summary of the detailed analysis of stainless steel stocks and flows by the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology. The analysis concluded that on average 95% of stainless steels are recycled once they reach their end of life.

The Scrap bonus

Video and brochures explaining how the use of (stainless) steel scrap saves billions in climate and environmental costs.

Source: BDSV

Alloying elements in stainless steels and other chromium-containing alloys

This brochure summarises the characteristics of the principal alloying elements used in stainless steels and discusses their role as alloying elements. It covers Chromium, Nickel, Molybdenum, Niobium, Titanium, Manganese, Silicon and Nitrogen.

Chromium

Chromium is introduced into irons, steels and many superalloys by alloying with the intermediate product, ferrochromium. This is produced by the pyrometallurgical reduction of chromite ore with carbon and/or silicon in high temperature electric arc furnaces.

Ferrochromium is essentially an alloy of iron and chromium which may intentionally contain substantial levels of carbon and silicon.

Nickel

Nickel is a naturally-occurring metallic element with a silvery-white, shiny appearance. It is the fifth-most common element on earth and occurs extensively in the earth’s crust and core. Nickel, along with iron, is also a common element in meteorites and can even be found in small quantities in plants, animals and seawater.

Molybdenum

Molybdenum is a metallic element which is most frequently used as an alloying addition in alloy and stainless steels. Its alloying versatility is unmatched because its addition enhances strength, hardenability, weldability, toughness, elevated temperature strength and corrosion resistance.

Manganese

Manganese is a chemical element with the symbol Mn and atomic number 25. Manganese makes up about 0.1% of the earth’s crust. It is the 4th most used metal on earth in terms of tonnage.

Manganese improves the strength and ductility of stainless steels.

Titanium

Titanium when added to stainless steels stabilises welding operations and thereby avoids post welding corrosion in the weld heat affected zones. This is particularly important for specific applications and for stainless steels with higher levels of Carbon content.

Sulphur

Sulphur assists in the creation of free-machining stainless steels as it forms Manganese-Sulphide inclusions which permit increased turning, milling and drilling speeds.

Cobalt

Cobalt improves the strength of stainless steels and the resilience of the passive layer thereby enhancing the corrosion resistance further.

Vanadium

Vanadium enhances the strength, hardness and wear resistance of knives and cutting tools. It also helps to maintain the sharpness of knife blades.

Tungsten

Tungsten is added to stainless steels to enhance the material strength, toughness and corrosion resistance for high temperature applications.