OUTOKUMPU’S CORROSION KNOWLEDGE GUIDE

Stainless steel
categories and
their ranking
by PRE
Traditionally, stainless steels are categorized
according to their microstructure into ferritic,
austenitic, duplex and martensitic and
precipitation hardening stainless steels.

ARTICLE: STAINLESS STEEL CATEGORIES AND THEIR RANKING BY PRE outokumpu.com

 Contents

Ferritic stainless steels.........................................................................3

Austenitic stainless steels.....................................................................4

Cr-Ni steels (18-8).................................................................................................................... 4
Cr-Mn steels (200-series)........................................................................................................ 4
Cr-Ni-Mo steels......................................................................................................................... 4
High performance austenitic steels......................................................................................... 5
High temperature austenitic steels......................................................................................... 5

Duplex stainless steels..........................................................................5

Martensitic and precipitation hardening stainless steels..........................6

Ranking stainless steels by their Pitting Corrosion Equivalent (PRE)..........6

Outokumpu stainless steel categories....................................................7

Outokumpu Classic.................................................................................................................. 7
Outokumpu Pro........................................................................................................................ 7

ARTICLE: STAINLESS STEEL CATEGORIES AND THEIR RANKING BY PRE 2

 Ferritic stainless steels
Ferritic stainless steels, also known as Cr-steels, are
alloyed with chromium (Cr) and no (or very small amounts
of) nickel (Ni). Molybdenum (Mo) is added to some steels
to improve corrosion resistance, while alloying with niobium
(Nb) and/or titanium (Ti) improves weldability.

These steels are magnetic and have high resistance to

stress corrosion cracking (SCC) but moderate resistance to
uniform, pitting, and crevice corrosion.

Ferritic stainless steels developed for use at high

temperatures (above 550 °C) are also available.

Fig. 1. S
 tainless steel knives produced over a century
ago remain rust-free even today.

ARTICLE: STAINLESS STEEL CATEGORIES AND THEIR RANKING BY PRE 3

 Austenitic stainless steels
Austenitic stainless steels are the largest group of stainless
steels and can be divided into five subcategories:
• Chromium-nickel (Cr-Ni) steels
• Chromium-manganese (Cr-Mn) steels
• Chromium-nickel-molybdenum (Cr-Ni-Mo) steels
• High performance austenitic steels
• High temperature austenitic steels
Austenitic stainless steels are non-magnetic in the
solution-annealed condition. They have moderate to
excellent corrosion resistance, depending on the steel.
Cr-Ni steels (18-8)
These ‘general purpose’ stainless steels are mainly alloyed
with chromium and nickel but with no molybdenum. They
are sometimes referred to as 18–8 type stainless steels
in reference to their approximate chromium and nickel
content. In the past, titanium and niobium stabilization was
used to improve their resistance to intergranular corrosion,
but this is not necessary for modern low-carbon Cr-Ni
steels. They have moderate resistance to uniform, pitting
and crevice corrosion, but rather poor resistance to stress
corrosion cracking.
ARTICLE: STAINLESS STEEL CATEGORIES AND THEIR RANKING BY PRE
Cr-Mn steels (200-series)
These steels are also referred to as ‘200-series’ steels
in reference to the AISI/ASTM nomenclature. Their nickel
content is decreased and the austenitic microstructure is
maintained by replacing some of the nickel with manganese
and nitrogen. They have moderate resistance to uniform,
pitting and crevice corrosion, but rather poor resistance to
stress corrosion cracking.
Cr-Ni-Mo steels
This is another type of ‘general purpose’ stainless
steels. They are alloyed with chromium and nickel and
have increased corrosion resistance because of their
molybdenum content. They are sometimes referred to
as ‘acid-proof’ stainless steels. In the past, titanium and
niobium stabilization was used to improve resistance
to intergranular corrosion, but this is not necessary for
modern low carbon Cr-Ni-Mo steels. They have good
resistance to uniform, pitting and crevice corrosion, but
rather poor resistance to stress corrosion cracking.
4
 High performance austenitic steels
These steels were developed for use in highly demanding
environments and have high chromium, nickel and
molybdenum content. Many are also alloyed with nitrogen
to further increase corrosion resistance and mechanical
strength. Some of these steels are alloyed with copper to
increase the resistance to certain acids. They have high
resistance to uniform, pitting and crevice corrosion, and
stress corrosion cracking.
High temperature austenitic steels
These steels, developed for use at temperatures exceeding
550 °C, have high chromium and nickel content, but
contain no molybdenum. They have good oxidation and
creep resistance.
ARTICLE: STAINLESS STEEL CATEGORIES AND THEIR RANKING BY PRE
Duplex stainless steels
Duplex stainless steels have a ferritic-austenitic
microstructure, with a phase balance of approximately
50% ferrite and 50% austenite. They are magnetic due to
their ferrite content. Duplex steels combine many of the
beneficial properties of ferritic and austenitic stainless
steels. Compared with austenitics, they typically have
high chromium content and rather low nickel content.
Molybdenum and nitrogen are added to improve corrosion
resistance and balance the microstructure. Nitrogen also
increases the mechanical strength.
Duplex steels should only be used at temperatures
between -40 and 250–325 °C as they become brittle
outside this temperature range. They have high resistance
to stress corrosion cracking, while resistance to uniform,
pitting, and crevice corrosion ranges from moderate to high,
depending on the steel.
5
 Martensitic and
precipitation hardening
stainless steels
Martensitic stainless steels are the smallest group of
stainless steels. They contain chromium and either no or
only small additions of nickel and molybdenum. Adding
nickel and reducing the carbon content can improve their
rather poor weldability. Martensitics are magnetic and
hardenable. The corrosion resistance of these steels is
generally lower than the other stainless steel families
and they are used mainly when high hardness is a key
requirement.
ARTICLE: STAINLESS STEEL CATEGORIES AND THEIR RANKING BY PRE
Ranking stainless steels
by their Pitting Corrosion
Equivalent (PRE)
The Pitting Corrosion Equivalent is used to rank different
stainless steels based on their resistance to pitting
corrosion, taking into account the effect of the most
important alloying elements. For a definition of pitting
corrosion, and other types of corrosion please see our
Expertise article The power of corrosion resistance.
PRE is calculated using the following formula:
PRE = %Cr + 3.3 x % Mo + 16 x %N
The higher the PRE, the higher the resistance to pitting.
6
 Outokumpu stainless steel outokumpu

categories
classic

Outokumpu groups its stainlessoutokumpu

steels into ranges based
on properties such as corrosion resistance, strength,
classic
outokumpu
hardness, and suitability for high-temperature applications. pro
It offers the following ranges:

Outokumpu Classic outokumpu

• Moda: Stainless steels for mildly
pro corrosive environments
(PRE up to 17)
• Core: Stainless steels for corrosive environments
(PRE 17–21)
Fig. 2. Outokumpu product ranges.
• Supra: Stainless steels for highly corrosive environments
(PRE 22–26)

Outokumpu Pro
• Forta: Duplex and other high-strength steels
(PRE 16–43, proof strength >400 MPa)
• Ultra: Stainless steels for extremely corrosive
environments (PRE >27)
• Dura: Heat treatable by users to provide high hardness
and strength
• Therma: Stainless steels for high temperatures (>550 °C)
• Prodec: Stainless steel grades optimized for improved
machinabilitywith longer tool life and enhanced quality
• Deco: Special surfaces

ARTICLE: STAINLESS STEEL CATEGORIES AND THEIR RANKING BY PRE 7

Working towards

ARTICLE: STAINLESS STEEL CATEGORIES AND THEIR RANKING BY PRE

a world that
lasts forever
We work with our customers and partners to create
long lasting solutions for the tools of modern life
and the world’s most critical problems: clean energy,
clean water, and efficient infrastructure. Because we
believe in a world that lasts forever.

Information given in this document may be subject to alterations without notice. Care has been taken to
ensure that the contents of this publication are accurate but Outokumpu and its affiliated companies do
not accept responsibility for errors or for information which is found to be misleading. Suggestions for
or descriptions of the end use or application of products or methods of working are for information only
and Outokumpu and its affiliated companies accept no liability in respect thereof. Before using products
supplied or manufactured by the company the customer should satisfy himself of their suitability.

MODA, CORE, SUPRA, FORTA, ULTRA, DURA, THERMA and DECO are trademarks of Outokumpu Oyj.

PRODEC, EDX, FDX, FDX 25, FDX 27, LDX, 253 MA, 254 SMO, 654 SMO, LDX 2101, LDX 2404 are registered
trademarks of Outokumpu Oyj.

outokumpu.com