The stainless steel family

Stainless steel is the generic name for a number of different steels used primarily for their resistance to corrosion. The one key element they all share is a certain minimum percentage (by mass) of chromium: 10.5%. Although other elements, particularly nickel and molybdenum, are added to improve corrosion resistance, chromium is always the deciding factor. The vast majority of steel produced in the world is carbon and alloy steel, with the more expensive stainless steels representing a small, but valuable niche market.

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Published 15 November 2019

Stainless steel grades listed in the international standard ISO 15510:2010

Comparative designations of grades with similar composition from other important standards. (listed by type of steel structure and by increasing intermediate 3‐digits code of the ISO name).
Courtesy of Ugitech

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Published 15 November 2019

Structural stainless steel design tables

Design guide for structural stainless steels; prepared in accordance with AISC DG27: structural stainless steel.

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Published 15 November 2019

Code of standard practice for structural stainless steel buildings

The Code of Standard Practice for Structural Stainless Steel Buildings (AISC 313-21) provides a framework for a common understanding of the acceptable standards when contracting for structural stainless steel. Unless specific provisions to the contrary are contained in the contract documents, the existing trade practices that are contained therein are considered to be the standard custom and usage of the industry and are thereby incorporated into a contract between the related parties.

Date: November 2021
Source: American Institute of Steel Construction

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Published 14 January 2022

ASTM A480/A480M-19 standard for stainless flat-rolled sheet, Strip & Plate

A summary of the general requirements of this standard and order form for pdf download for a small fee.

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Published 15 November 2019

ASTM A582/A582M-05 standard specification for free-machining stainless steel bars

A summary of the general requirements of this standard and order form for pdf download for a small fee.

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Published 15 November 2019

Stainless steel BSENISO 3506 fastener grades

BSENISO 3506 replaces BS6105. Part 1 covers bolts, screw and studs, part 2 nuts and part 4 tapping screws. The chemical compositions are common to the various parts. Austenitic grades A1 A2 and A4 are shown and compared to bar grades 303 304 349S17 316 and 394S17. Mechanical properties for property class 50 70 and 80 austenitic bolts and studs and property class 20H 25H 30H and 40H tapping screws are tabulated and the fastener designations, such as A2-70 and A4-25H described. Duplex FA (ferritic-austenitic similar to 1.4462 (2205) of EN 10088-1) is a likely future grade for inclusion in the standard. Fastener grade selection is covered in annexes to the standards. The standards lists grades 1.4439 1.4539 (904L) 1.4529 (6% molybdenum austenitic) and 1.4462 (2205) as suitable for reducing the risk of chloride induced stress corrosion cracking failures in applications such as indoor swimming pools.
Source: British Stainless Steel Association

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Published 08 August 2023

Specifier’s guide to EN standards for stainless long products

Special BSSA report to provide buyers and specifiers with clear guidelines for specifying stainless long products to the latest European standards.
Source: British Stainless Steel Association

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Published 24 November 2020

Design guidelines for the selection and use of stainless steel

Overview of a broad range of stainless steels; their compositions, properties, fabrication and use. Offers guidance on selecting the proper stainless steel by weighing four elements: corrosion or heat resistance; mechanical properties; fabrication operations; and total cost.
Source: Specialty Steel Industry of North America

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Published 08 August 2023

Comparison of composition ranges of 316 type stainless steels

The specification of bar (to BS970) and coil / plate (to BS1449) before 1983 covered two type 316 grades: a ‘low’ carbon with 0.03% max (316S12) and a ‘standard’ carbon with 0.07% max 316S16. Both had a molybdenum content in the range of 2.25-3.0 %.
Source: British Stainless Steel Association

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Published 24 November 2020

Stainless steel overview: glossary

A glossary of terms related to stainless steel.
Source: Specialty Steel Industry of North America

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Published 15 November 2019