Stainless steel is a versatile material; this is one of its key advantages. The fact that the composition of stainless steal can be transformed to create a metal that is perfectly suited to a particular task indicating that it’s properties – strength, flexibility, and resistance to corrosion and staining, can be brought to tolerate a wide range of situations.

There are five different types of stainless steel, each having its’ own separate composition therefore having particular properties that are called for in specific work environments or for different stainless steel products. The different types of stainless steel and their uses are:

Austenitic

The most common stainless steel is austenitic, it account for up to 70% of all stainless steel production. Its flexibility allows it to be formed and welded with effective results. Austenitic stainless steel is used for products just as food processing equipment, kitchen utensils, and medical equipment.

It possesses excellent hygiene properties and it good at working in both high and low temperatures.

Martensitic

This kind of steel was the first to be commercially developed, in those stages it was used to make cutlery. Applying high temperatures to this steel makes it hard and it also has some magnetic properties.

The most ordinary uses for this type of stainless steel is in knives, cutting tools, as well as dental and surgical equipment.

Ferritic

This steel is magnetic, but is not as flexible as martensitic and austenitic steels. It also unlike other types of steel does not harden when coming in contact with heat.

Ferritic steel is very highly resistant to corrosion that means it is generally the material of choice when developing boilers and washing machines. It can also be useful when making things much as care trim and exhaust systems.

Duplex

In basic terms duplex steels are a combination of ferritic and austenitic steels; this means it brings the best of both types to the table being more resistant than any other steel to corrosion. Additionally making it better able to deal with stress and easier to work with, being simple to weld and form into specific shapes. Duplex steel is suitable to use in tools or machinery that are going to be in marine like conditions.

Precipitation Hardening

Originally, this type of steel is austenitic in character and then altered by the addition of the elements. It becomes extremely tough, durable, and hard wearing once it has been altered.

This type of stainless steel is useful in the making of aircraft parts as well as the construction of shafts and pumps.