Selecting the right stainless steel grade for an application is important in order to achieve a sustainable and long-term solution that serves its purpose with satisfactory results.
Selecting the right stainless steel grade for an application is important in order to achieve a sustainable solution, while cost aspects must also be taken into consideration. MSME Mahurangi Sheet Metals and Engineering explains in this article how to make the right choice. There are several stages when material selection needs to be made:
1. New applications and equipment
2. New processes and process changes
3. Exchange of material due to poor performance
4.Exchange of existing material to minimize cost
For the right material selection it is important to get a full picture of the service conditions the steel will face. The first aspects to consider are related to the material:
Other factors that may influence the decision are:
Corrosion resistance
Corrosion engineering uses corrosion data from the environment in which the material is to be exposed. Field testing in, or laboratory testing to simulate, the environment is often required in order to identify which grades would be most suitable.
Strength and fabricability
Designing load-bearing structural applications, such as bridges, pressure vessels, and structural automotive components, is mostly done by applying the mechanical strength data provided in national and international standards and design codes.
High temperatures
Equipment to be used at elevated temperatures (above 550 °C) is designed using creep and oxidation data, and previous experience is important when selecting material. In many applications the material is consumed after a period of time.
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