Classification of Steels Stainless Steels Tool Steels

Stainless Steel: Stainless steel is a generic term for a family of corrosion resistant alloy steels containing 10.5% or more chromium. All stainless steels have a high resistance to corrosion.
Benefits of Stainless Steel: Corrosion resistance All stainless steels have a high resistance to corrosion. Low alloyed grades resist corrosion in atmospheric conditions; highly alloyed grades can resist corrosion in most acids, alkaline solutions, and chloride bearing environments, even at elevated temperatures and pressures. High and low temperature resistance Some grades will resist scaling and maintain high strength at very high temperatures, while others show exceptional toughness at cryogenic temperatures. Ease of fabrication The majority of stainless steels can be cut, welded, formed, machined and fabricated readily.

Strength The cold work hardening properties of many stainless steels can be used in design to reduce material thickness and reduce weight and costs. Other stainless steels may be heat treated to make very high strength components. Aesthetic appeal Stainless steel is available in many surface finishes. It is easily and simply maintained resulting in a high quality, pleasing appearance. Hygienic properties The cleanability of stainless steel makes it the first choice in hospitals, kitchens, food and pharmaceutical processing facilities. Life cycle characteristics Stainless steel is a durable, low maintenance material and is often the least expensive choice in a life cycle cost comparison.

Table 1. Chemical Composition of Austenitic Steels

302 Carbon Chromium Manganese Silicon Nickel Molybdenum 0.15% max 17.00 to 19.00% 2.0% max 1.0% max. 8.00 to 10.00% ---304 0.08% max 18.00 to 20.00% 2.0% max. 1.0% max. 8.00 to 10.50% ---316 0.08% max 16.00 to 18.00% 2.0% max. 1.0% max. 10.00 to 14.00% 2.00 to 3.00%

Table 2. Mechanical Properties of Austenitic Stainless Steels

302 Tensile strength (Ksi) Yield strength (Ksi) Elongation in 2 inches (Annealed) Modulus of elasticity (psi) Hardness (Annealed) Hardness (Cold work) 90 -185 40-140 50% 28 x 106 RB 75 - RB90 RC 25 - RC39 304 84-185 42-140 55% 28 x 106 RB 75 - RB90 RC 25 - RC39 316 84-185 42-140 50% 28 x 106 RB 75 - RB90 RC 25 - RC39

Ksi = kilo pounds per sq in 1 Ksi = 6.89476 MPa

Tool Steel Type Cold Work

Prefix W = Water Hardening O = Oil Hardening A = Medium alloy Air Hardening D = High Carbon, High Chromium

Specific Types W1, W2, W5 O1, O2, O6, O7 A2, A4, A6, A7, A8, A9, A10, A11 D2, D3, D4, D5, D7 S1, S2, S4, S5, S6, S7 H10-H19 Chromium types H20-H39 Tungsten types H40-H59 Molybdenum types Molybdenum types (M1, M2, M3-1, M3-2, M4, M6, M7, M10, M33, M34, M36, M41, M42, M46, M50 Tungsten types (T1, T4, T5, T6, T8, T15) P6, P20, P21 L2, L6

Shock Resisting Hot Work

S H

High Speed

T Mold Steels Special Purpose P L and F series

Water Hardening Tool Steels (W series) Essentially these are carbon steels with 0.60 to 1.10 % carbon. Lowest cost tool steels. Soft core (for toughness) with hard shallow layer (for wear resistance). Use of w-series steels is declining.

Oil Hardening Tool Steels (O-Series) 0.90 to 1.45 % Carbon with Mn, Si, W, Mo, Cr. They contain graphite in the hardened structure along with martensite. (Graphite acts as a lubricator and also makes machining easier. Tungsten forms tungsten carbide which improves the abrasion resistance and edge retention in cutting devices.

Medium Alloy Air Hardening Steels (A-series) 5 to 10 % alloying elements (Mn, Si, W, Mo, Cr, V, Ni) to improve the hardenability, wear resistance, toughness.

High Carbon High Chromium Steels (D-series) All D-series contain 12% Cr and over 1.5 % C. Air or oil quench. Low distortion, high abrasion resistance.