STAINLESS STEELS

N. Rajasekaran (RAJ)

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 What is Stainless Steel ?

In metallurgy, stainless steel, also known as inox steel or

inox from French "inoxydable", is defined as a steel alloy
with a minimum of 10.5 % chromium content by mass.

Stainless steel does not stain,

corrode, or rust as easily as
ordinary steel, but it is not
stain-proof.

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 Historical Facts

• The corrosion resistance of iron-chromium alloys was first recognized in

1821 by French metallurgist Pierre Berthier, who noted their resistance
against attack by some acids and suggested their use in cutlery.
• Metallurgists of the 19th century were unable to produce the combination
of low carbon and high chromium found in most modern stainless steels,
and the high-chromium alloys they could produce were too brittle to be
practical.
• In the late 1890s Hans Goldschmidt of Germany developed an
aluminothermic (thermite) process for producing carbon-free chromium.
Between 1904 and 1911 several researchers, particularly Leon Guillet of
France, prepared alloys that would today be considered stainless steel.
• Friedrich Krupp Germaniawerft built the 366-ton sailing yacht Germania
featuring a chrome-nickel steel hull in Germany in 1908
• …… and so on

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 Stainless Steel Properties

High oxidation-resistance in air at The chromium forms a

ambient temperature is normally passivation layer of
achieved with additions of a chromium(III) oxide (Cr2O3)
minimum of 13% Chromium (by when exposed to oxygen
weight)

• The layer is too thin (2-3 nanometres). [1nanometre = 10-9 m] to

be visible, and the metal remains lustrous. The layer is impervious
to water and air, protecting the metal beneath

Also, this layer quickly reforms when the

surface is scratched. This phenomenon is
called passivation and is seen in other metals,
such as aluminium and titanium

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 Stainless Steel Family

Ferritic Austenitic Martensitic

12 -17 Cr 300 Series 410, 415, 431
409, 430 C (0.2-1.0%)
18/10 Cr/Ni
Nickel Free Cr (10.5-18%)

Duplex
50/50 A/F

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 Effect of Alloying Elements

CHROMIUM
Chromium is by far the most important alloying element in stainless steel production. A
minimum of 10.5% chromium is required for the formation of a protective layer of chromium
oxide on the steel surface. The strength of this protective (passive) layer increases with
increasing chromium content. Chromium prompts the formation of FERRITE within the
alloy structure and is described as ferrite stabilizer.

NICKEL
Nickel improves general corrosion resistance and prompts the formation of
AUSTENITE (i.e. it is an austenite stabilizer). Stainless steels with 8-9% nickel have a
fully austenitic structure and exhibit superior welding and working characteristics to ferritic
stainless steels. Increasing nickel content beyond 8-9% further improves both corrosion
resistance (especially in acid environments) and workability.

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 Effect of Alloying Elements

MOLYBDENUM (AND TUNGSTEN)

Molybdenum increases resistance to both local (pitting, crevice corrosion, etc) and
general corrosion. Molybdenum and tungsten are ferrite stabilisers which, when used
in austenitic alloys, must be balanced with austenite stabilisers in order to maintain
the austenitic structure. Molybdenum is added to martensitic stainless steels to
improve high temperature strength

TITANIUM (AND NIOBIUM & ZIRCONIUM)

Where it is not desirable or, indeed, not possible to control carbon at a low level,
titanium or niobium may be used to stabilise stainless steel against intergranular
corrosion. As titanium (niobium and zirconium) have greater affinity for carbon than
chromium, titanium (niobium and zirconium) carbides are formed in preference to
chromium carbide and thus localised depletion of chromium is prevented. These
elements are ferrite stabilisers.

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 SCHAEFFLER DIAGRAM

Ni eq. = (Ni) + 30 (C) + 0.5 (Mn)

Cr eq. = (Cr) + (Mo) + 1.5 (Si) + 0.5 (Nb)

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 Sensitization

To “stabilise” the stainless

steel with titanium (Ti) and or
niobium (Nb). These
elements have a strong
tendency to form carbides, Cooling state
which will be formed at high
temperatures (normal cooling
around 1000 to 1100 °C).
The chromium carbides,
depending on the cooling rate
do form in the temperature
range of 650 - 900 °C. If the
titanium or niobium content is
sufficient to combine all
available carbon (perhaps
except 0,03 %), than no
carbon is anymore available
for the
chromium

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 Oxidation

Purging – Intention CFH = …..LPM

1. Smooth Root to achieve uniform penetration Approximate

2. To avoid notch effect in root side
3. Sound weld as anticipated in design requirements 1 LPM = 2 CFH

 AWS D10.11

Root pass without purging –

Cored filler wire (TGX)
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 Stainless Steel - Major Types

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 Stainless Steel

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 SCHAEFFLER DIAGRAM EXCERCISE

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 SCHAEFFLER DIAGRAM

Ni eq. = (Ni) + 30 (C) + 0.5 (Mn) Cr eq. = (Cr) + (Mo) + 1.5 (Si) + 0.5 (Nb)

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