At Western Stainless Solutions, we provide a wide range of stainless steel products for many different industries in WA. One of the most common questions we get is “How do I choose the right stainless steel for my needs?”
There are a series of factors that can help decide what stainless steel to use. Here are a few of them.
Corrosive Environment
The presence of water, acid, chloride and other chemicals affecting the environment in which the stainless steel will be used are important because they determine how corrosive that environment will be.
Temperature
High temperatures require a higher grade steel that can withstand the heat, while very low temperatures require an austenitic steel that can withstand the cold.
Strength
PH, martensitic, duplex and austenitic steel can provide strength, but aren’t always appropriate when welding and/or forming are going to be part of the process. See below…
Kind of Welding
PH and Martensitic grades usually won’t work for welding. Duplex steels are considered by many to be fully weldable. Austenitic is considered by many to be the most weldable steel.
Forming
Austenitic is considered to be the steel that is most “formable.” Ferritic steels are appropriate in some cases. However, PH, martensitic and duplex grades aren’t recommended for applications in which forming is necessary.
Bar, Tube or Sheet Form?
Some of the grades aren’t available in all sizes or forms. Austenitic is available in the largest range of options, while ferritic and martensitic aren’t.
What are Your Performance Expectations
Do you want durability? Aesthetics? What does the structure dictate?
Surface Finish
Steel is important, but in applications where aesthetics are important, surface finish can often override other factors.
Availability and Cost
Cost and availability are important. These are self-explanatory.
Call Us
At Western Stainless Solutions, we have a wealth of experience in helping choose the appropriate stainless steel for numerous different applications. Give us your project details and we can provide recommendations based on your specifications and requirements. We have access to virtually every grade of stainless steel in the industry. We know what is appropriate for most jobs.
We always provide full justification and reasoning for every choice. In addition, the ultimate choice is yours. If you have questions or want more information, call 1300 794 647 today.
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