Material
Stainless Steel
Stainless steel combines corrosion resistance, mechanical durability, and a wide range of available grades for demanding industrial applications. It is commonly used in CNC machining, precision turning, sheet metal fabrication, and investment casting for components requiring long service life, cleanliness, and reliable performance.
Material overview
Stainless steel is an iron-based alloy containing sufficient chromium to form a protective passive surface layer. Its corrosion resistance, strength, weldability, and machining behavior vary significantly between grades and metallurgical families.
Common stainless steel grades include:
- 304 / 1.4301: A widely used austenitic grade suitable for general industrial equipment, enclosures, brackets, and fabricated components.
- 316L / 1.4404: Offers improved resistance to many chloride-containing environments and is frequently specified for chemical processing, marine equipment, and hygienic applications.
- 303 / 1.4305: Designed for improved machinability in precision turning applications, although its corrosion resistance and weldability are generally lower than those of 304.
- 17-4 PH / 1.4542: A precipitation-hardening stainless steel used where elevated mechanical strength and controlled heat treatment are required.
- 430 / 1.4016: A ferritic stainless steel used for selected decorative, appliance, and industrial applications.
Manufacturing options include CNC milling, CNC turning, Swiss-type turning, laser cutting, bending, welding, and investment casting. Austenitic stainless steels can work-harden during machining, making cutting parameters, tooling, and process planning particularly important.
Surface treatments include passivation, electropolishing, brushing, polishing, and bead blasting. Buyers should define the required surface condition, especially for hygienic or corrosion-sensitive applications.
A complete stainless steel RFQ should include material grade, applicable ASTM or EN standard, drawings, tolerance requirements, surface roughness, welding requirements, quantity, and inspection criteria. EN 10204 Type 3.1 certificates, dimensional inspection reports, and material traceability may be required for regulated or critical components.
Typical applications include food-processing equipment, medical instruments, pump components, valves, chemical processing assemblies, and precision industrial hardware.