Frequently Asked Questions
These are some of the questions that we frequently get asked.
- What Is Stainless Steel?
- When was stainless steel discovered?
- What is stainless steel used for?
- Does stainless steel corrode?
- What forms of corrosion can occur in stainless steels?
- How many types of stainless steel are there?
- What are the correct standards for stainless steel?
- Is stainless steel non-magnetic?
- Can I use stainless steel at low temperatures?
- Can I use stainless steel at high temperatures?
- What surface finishes are available on stainless steels?
- How do I choose which stainless steel to use?
- What is 'multiple certification'?
What are the correct standards for stainless steel?
The most common current European standards for stainless steel are:
|
Standard Number |
Title |
Relevant Technical Information |
|
EN 10088-1 |
List of stainless steels |
|
|
EN 10088-2 |
Technical delivery conditions for sheet/plate and strip for corrosion resisting steels for general purposes |
Properties of Martensitic Steels |
|
EN 10088-3 |
Technical delivery conditions for semi-finished products, bars, rods, wire, sections and bright products for corrosion resisting steels for general purposes |
All Products Standard Products Properties of Martensitic Steels Properties of Austenitic Steels Bright Bars Properties of Martensitic Steels |
|
EN 10095 |
Heat resisting steels and nickel alloys |
|
|
EN 10028-7 |
Flat products made of steels for pressure purposes – Stainless steels |
|
|
EN 10296-2 |
Welded circular steel tubes for mechanical and general engineering purposes – Technical delivery conditions – Stainless steel |
|
|
EN 10297-2 |
Seamless circular steel tubes for mechanical and general engineering purposes – Technical delivery conditions – Stainless steel |
|
|
EN 10216-5 |
Seamless steel tubes for pressure purposes – Technical delivery conditions – Stainless steel tubes |
Chemical Composition |
|
EN 10217-7 |
Welded steel tubes for pressure purposes – Technical delivery conditions – Stainless steel tubes |
These standards have replaced the old national standards and users are encouraged to use them. However, it is clear that the old standards are still used, not least because many existing drawings and company specifications refer to them. Therefore, it is still possible to come across standards such as:
BS 1449 and BS1501 for flat products
BS 970 for long products
The US standards such as ASTM and ASME are very important and will never be replaced. Common standards are:
|
Standard Number |
Title |
Relevant Technical Information |
|
ASTM A240 |
Chromium and chromium-nickel stainless steel plate, sheet and strip for pressure vessels |
Chemical Composition Austenitic Steels Chemical Composition Ferritic Steels Chemical Composition Martensitic Steels |
|
ASTM A276 |
Standard Specification for Stainless Steel Bars and Shapes |
Chemical Composition Austenitic Steels Chemical Composition Ferritic Steels Chemical Composition Martensitic Steels |
|
ASTM A312 |
Standard Specification for Seamless and Welded Austenitic Stainless Steel Pipes |
Chemical Composition Austenitic Steels Chemical Composition Ferritic Steels Chemical Composition Martensitic Steels |
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