Figure 1.

Stainless steel grades

Stainless steels

Martensitic

Plain chromium
stainless steels
that can be
strengthened by
heat treatment.
Cr: 12 to 18%
High Carbon:
0.2 to 1.2%

Super
Ferrites

Conventional
Ferrites

Duplex

Utility
Ferrites

Lean
Duplex

Duplex

Conventional
Cr Ni (Mo)
Austenitic

Super
Duplex

Mn N Cr Ni
Austenitic

Heat resistant
Austenitic

Plain chromium stainless steels, but with low

carbon levels, therefore cannot be strengthened
by heat treatment.

Mixed ferrite - austenitic crystal structure (duplex)

Higher levels of Cr and lower levels of Ni as compared to the austenitic grades. Contain nitrogen.

Ni containing stainless steels. Most common

grades which accounts for 70% of all stainless
steel usage.

Generally considered to have poor weldability

with the exception of the utility grades

High strength and good corrosion resistance.

Weldable

Excellent corrosion resistance and associated

secondary properties. Suitable for a wide range
of applications.

Non - magnetic

Magnetic

Ferritic
structure

Martensitic
structure

Tel: (011) 803-5610/20/30

Fax: (011) 803-2011
info@sassda.co.za
www.sassda.co.za

Austenitic

Duplex
structure

Add carbon

Add nickel

Plain chromium (Cr)

Nickel (Ni) addition

Iron (Fe) + Chromium (Cr)

Austenitic
structure
Add more nickel

Ferritic