Stainless Steels are another group of ferrous alloy metals. The main reason for their production and use is their excellent resistance to oxidation and corrosion. The chemical composition of real stainless steels contains at least 12% chromium element. This chromium in its content combines with oxygen to form chromium-oxide, which forms a thin Cr2O3 film layer on the surface and protects the metal against external corrosive effects. Stainless steels are generally divided into two groups as austenitic and martensitic stainless steels.

 

Austenitic Stainless Steels:

Austenitic stainless steels are the steel group with the highest corrosion resistance among stainless steels thanks to the high chromium and nickel elements they contain.

 

Martensitised Stainless Steels:

Martensitic stainless steels are a magnetisable stainless steel group containing chromium but not nickel. This stainless steel group can be hardened and tempered by heat treatment like alloy steels.