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FERRITIC STAINLESS
Ferritic stainless steels are manufactured by ELG Carrs Stainless Steels as part of the wide range of guaranteed quality stainless steels available to its customers.
They are based on a series of iron chromium alloys typically with 13 —17% chromium. They have the same crystal structure as iron. As more chromium and molybdenum is added, the result is super-ferritic stainless, which provides a high level of corrosion and oxidation resistance. Ferritic stainless steels include grades like 430 and containing principally chromium as a major alloying element. The quantity of chromium present ranges from 10.5 to 18%.
They are known for their moderate corrosion resistance properties. Fabrication properties can be improved by alloy modifications and are satisfactory in grades such as 434 and 444.
Material Characteristics
- Ferritic stainless steels cannot be hardened by heat treatment
- Always used in the annealed condition
- Good corrosion resistance but not as good as the more highly alloyed, and expensive, austenitic stainless steels
- They can have good ductility and formability, but high-temperature strengths are relatively poor compared to those of the austenitic grades
- The ferritic alloys are ferromagnetic
- Corrosion resistance, that of the ferritic stainless steels can range from moderate for the low-to-medium, chromium-content alloys to outstanding for the superferritics
- They are not susceptible to stress corrosion cracking
- Weldability is acceptable in thin sections but decreases as section thicknesses increase
- Toughness may be somewhat limited at low temperatures and in heavy sections
- Unlike the martensitic stainless steels, the ferritic stainless steels cannot be strengthened by heat treatment.
Common uses for Ferritic Stainless:
- Decorative trim for autos
- Architectural cladding
- Automotive mufflers
- Moderately severe atmospheric-exposure applications
- Vehicle exhausts
- Fuel lines
- Cooking utensils
- Domestic appliances
