INDUSTRY INFORMATION

What is Stainless Steel?

Stainless steel is a special kind of steel mainly made of iron and contains more than 10.5% chromium (Cr) as the key alloy element. Chromium forms a thin and strong protective layer on the surface of the steel, which helps stop air and moisture from causing rust or corrosion. Other elements like nickel (Ni), molybdenum (Mo), titanium (Ti), and copper (Cu) can also be added to improve performance.

Stainless steel looks good, is easy to clean, strong, heat-resistant, and recyclable. It is widely used in buildings, machines, home appliances, medical tools, and the food industry.


Main Types and Common Grades of Stainless Steel

1. Austenitic Stainless Steel

  • Features: Most common type. Very good corrosion resistance, tough, easy to weld and process, and non-magnetic at room temperature.
  • Common Grades:
    • 201 (SUS201, 1.4372): High manganese, low cost. Used in decoration and kitchen tools.
    • 202 (SUS202, 1.4373): Similar to 201, but stronger. Used in appliances and tableware.
    • 301 (SUS301, 1.4310): High strength and good elasticity. Used in springs and car parts.
    • 304 (SUS304, 1.4301): General type, widely used in kitchenware, tableware, and food machinery.
    • 316 (SUS316, 1.4401): With molybdenum, better corrosion resistance. Used in chemicals and marine settings.
    • 321 (SUS321, 1.4541): With titanium, good for high temperature and resistance to intergranular corrosion. Used in heat equipment.
    • 310S (SUS310S, 1.4845): Great for high temperature. Used in boilers and industrial furnaces.

2. Ferritic Stainless Steel

  • Features: Low price, strong, good heat resistance, magnetic, medium corrosion resistance.
  • Common Grades:
    • 409 (SUS409, 1.4512): Used in car exhaust systems.
    • 430 (SUS430, 1.4016): Used in home appliances, kitchen tools, and decoration.
    • 439 (SUS439, 1.4510): Better corrosion resistance, used in heat exchangers.

3. Martensitic Stainless Steel

  • Features: Can be hardened by heat treatment, high strength and hardness, medium corrosion resistance, usually magnetic.
  • Common Grades:
    • 410 (SUS410, 1.4006): Used in knives, valves, and instruments.
    • 420 (SUS420, 1.4021): Used in surgical tools and scissors.
    • 440C (SUS440C, 1.4125): Used in high hardness cutting tools.

4. Duplex Stainless Steel

  • Features: Combines good points of austenitic and ferritic types. High strength and great corrosion resistance, especially against stress corrosion.
  • Common Grades:
    • 2205 (S32205, 1.4462): Used in oil, gas, paper, and marine work.
    • 2507 (S32750, 1.4410): Very high corrosion resistance. Used in extreme environments.

5. Precipitation Hardening Stainless Steel

  • Features: After heat treatment, has very high strength and still keeps good corrosion resistance. Used in aerospace and precision parts.
  • Common Grade:
    • 17-4PH (S17400, 1.4542): Used in aerospace, chemical, and nuclear fields.

Common Stainless Steel Comparison Table

Type Typical Grades Standard Codes Main Features & Uses
Austenitic 201, 202, 301, 304, 316, 321, 310S SUS / ASTM / GB/T Food equipment, chemical machines, kitchenware, springs, car parts
Ferritic 409, 430, 439 SUS / ASTM / GB/T Home appliances, car parts, decoration
Martensitic 410, 420, 440C SUS / ASTM / GB/T Cutting tools, valves, instruments
Duplex 2205, 2507 ASTM / GB/T Oil, chemical, marine work, pressure vessels
Precipitation Hardening 17-4PH ASTM / GB/T Aerospace, precision tools

Summary:
Stainless steel is a very useful metal because it resists rust, is strong, and can be used in many fields. There are different types and grades to meet the needs of everything from daily tools to big engineering projects. Choosing the right stainless steel helps make sure your project is safe and good quality.

If you need more details or help picking the right stainless steel, feel free to contact our technical team!

Brinell (HB) Rockwell C (HRC) Rockwell B (HRB) Vickers (HV)
Brinell (HB) Rockwell C (HRC) Rockwell B (HRB) Vickers (HV)
Alloy Grade Webster Hardness Brinell Hardness Vickers Hardness Rockwell Hardness Barcol Hardness
1050-H1403045
1050-H162.53551
1050-H186.34358
1060-H1202335
1060-H1402640
1060-H1603045
1060-H182.53551
1100-H1202842
1100-H1403247
1100-H164.23854
1100-H186.84459
1100-H19 箔片10.15566
1100-O02335
1145-H184.23954
1145-H19 箔片6.84559
1180-H1803045
1199-H1803146
1235-H19 箔片6.84559
1235-O 箔片6.84559
1350-H1202640
1350-H1403045
1350-H161.33449
1350-H198.85063
1350-O02335
2011-T315951076079
2011-T315951076079
2011-T413.780904975
2011-T615.3971096180
2011-T815.31001126380
2011-T815.31001126380
2014-O6.84559
2014-T4; 2014-T45115.91051186782
2014-T6; 2014-T65117.81351558290
2017-O6.84559
2017-T4; 2017-T45115.91051186682
2018-T6116.91201377586
2024-O7.84761
2024-T316.91201377586
2024-T36117.41301498088
2024-T4; 2024-T35116.91201377586
2024-T617.21251427887
2024-T8117.41281467988
2024-T85117.41281467988
2024-T8617.81351558290
2025-T616.21101246983
2036-T415951076079
204816.91221397686
2090-O10.65767
2090-T314.386975377
2090-T84181401628491
2091-T8x16.41151307184
2091-T8x, 0.1 冷变形16.91201377586
2117-T412.6708172
2124-T35116.91201377586
2124-T85117.41281467988
2218-T6116.41151267184
2218-T7115.91051186682
2218-T7215951076079
2219-O7.34660
2219-T3115.31001136380
2219-T35115.31001136380
2219-T3716.71171337385
2219-T6216.41151307284
2219-T8117.41301498088
2219-T85117.41301498088
2219-T8717.41301498088
2618-T6116.41151307284
3003-H122.53551
3003-H144.74055
3003-H167.84761
3003-H1810.15566
3003-H19 箔片12.2687671
3003-O02842
3004-H1913.7798975
3004-H329.25264
3004-H3411.4637369
3004-H3612.6708072
3004-H3813.3778774
3004-O6.84559
3005-H148.34962
3005-H1811.8657570
3005-O2.53551
3104-H1913.3788874
3105-H125.34156
3105-H147.34660
3105-H169.75365
3105-H1810.65867
3105-H258.34962
3105-O03146
4032-T616.91201377586
4032-T65116.91201367586
4032-T8616.91201367586
4043-H147.34660
4043-H169.75465
4043-H1813.3778774
4043-O4.23954
5005-H124.23854
5005-H146.34358
5005-H168.34962
5005-H189.75465
5005-H323.13652
5005-H345.34156
5005-H367.34660
5005-H3810.15566
5005-O02842
5042-H1915961086079
5050-H327.34660
5050-H349.75365
5050-H3610.65867
5050-H3811.4637369
5050-O3.13652
5052-H19 箔片14.388995477
5052-H3211606868
5052-H3412.2687871
5052-H3612.9738373
5052-H3813.3778774
5052-O7.84761
5056-H1815.91051186682
5056-H191 箔片16.91201377586
5056-H3815.31001126380
5056-O11.8657570
5082-H1915.91061206782
5083-H11213.781915075
5083-H116; 5083-H3211485965376
5083-H32; 5083-H32314.387985477
5083-H34; 5083-H34314.7931045878
5083-O13.3778774
5086-H11212.9738373
5086-H116; 5086-H3213.3788874
5086-H3414.387985477
5086-O12.6708072
5154-H11211.4637369
5154-H3212.2677771
5154-H3412.9738373
5154-H3612.2677771
5154-H3813.780904975
5154-O10.65867
5182-H1916.21121277083
5182-H321485965376
5182-H3414.7911025778
5182-O12.9748473
5252-H25; 5252-H3812.2687871
5252-H2813.3758574
5252-O7.34660
5254-H11211.4637369
5254-H3212.2677771
5254-H3412.9738373
5254-H3613.3788874
5254-H3813.780904975
5254-O10.65867
5454-H111; 5454-H31112.6708072
5454-H11211.46269
5454-H3212.9738373
5454-H3413.78175
5454-O11.4627269
5456-H11114.387985477
5456-H1121483945176
5456-H116; 5456-H32114.7901015678
5456-H2414.7901015678
5456-O1483945176
5457-H258.34862
5457-H28; 5457-H3810.15566
5457-O03247
5652-H3211607068
5652-H3412.2687871
5652-H3612.9738373
5652-H3813.3778774
5652-O7.84761
5657-H254.74055
5657-H28; 5657-H388.85063
5657-O02842
6005-T17.34660
6005-T515951076079
6009-T411.4627069
6009-T614.7911025778
6010-T413.3788874
6013-T65117.41301498088
6013-T8 0.3-1.9 cm17.41301498088
6013-T8 1.9-3.8 cm17.41301498088
6013-T8 3.8-8.2 cm17.41301498088
6020-T65115951076079
6020-T815.31001126380
6020-T916.91201367586
6053-O02640
6053-T613.780904975
6061-O03045
6061-T4; 6061-T45111.8657570
6061-T6; 6061-T65115951076079
6061-T816.91201367586
6061-T9115.91081236982
6061-T91317.21231397687
6063-O02538
6063-T15.84257
6063-T47.34660
6063-T511607068
6063-T612.9738373
6063-T831482925076
6063-T83112.6708072
6063-T83215951076079
6063-T83515.91051186682
6066-O6.34358
6066-T4; 6066-T45114.7901015678
6066-T6; 6066-T65116.91201377586
6070-O2.53551
6070-T414.7901015678
6070-T616.91201377586
6101-H11102640
6101-T612.6718172
6151-T615.31001126380
6201-T614.7901015678
6201-T8114.388995577
6205-T111.8657570
6205-T515951076079
6262-T612.6718172
6262-T815.61031166581
6262-T916.91201377586
6351-T4; 6351-T45112.2677771
6351-T5410.65867
6351-T6; 6351-T65115951076079
6463-O02538
6463-T15.84257
6463-T47.34660
6463-T511606868
6463-T612.9748473
6951-O02842
6951-T61482925076
7001-O116068
7005-O9.75365
7005-T5315.91051186682
7005-T6, 7005-T6315941065979
7005-T635115941065979
7005-W14.7931055078
7016-T515961086079
7021-T6216.21121277083
7029-T516.41151287184
7039-O11.4616969
7039-T6117.21231407687
7039-T6417.61331538189
7049-T73; 7049-T735217.81351558290
7050-T73511; 7050-T7351017.61321518089
7050-T7451 (7050-T73651)181401628491
7072-H1202842
7072-H1403247
7075-O11606868
7075-T73; 7075-T735x17.81351558290
7175-T735117.81351558290
7175-T736;7175-T7365x18.21451698692
7178-O11606868
7475-T735117.81351558290
7475-T761181401628491
7475-T7651181401628491
8001-H189.75465
8001-O03045
8081-H1129.75365
8081-H256.84559
8090-T314.7911025778
8090-T511;+B35 8090-T651117.81371588390
8090-T8116.71161377385
8090-T815116.91211377586
8090-T85217.41281467988
8090-T8771; 8090-T651181381588391
8090-T8x17.41301498088
8280-H1811596768
8280-O03146
China
GB
Germany
DIN
Europe
EN
International
ISO
USA
UNS
Japan
JIS
TU2OF-Cu2.0040Cu-OFE CW009AC10100C1011
T2E-Cu582.0065Cu-ETP CW004AC11000C1100
TP2SF-Cu2.0090Cu-DHP CW024AC12200C1220
TP1SW-Cu2.0076Cu-DLP CW023AC12000C1201
H96CuZn52.0220CuZn5 CE500LC21000C2100
H90CuZn102.0230CuZn10 CW501LC22000C2200
H85CuZn152.0240CuZn15 CW502LC23000C2300
H80CuZn202.0250CuZn20 CW503LC24000C2400
H70CuZn302.0265CuZn30 CW505LC26000C2600
H68CuZn332.0280CuZn33 CW506LC26300C2630
H65CuZn332.0335CuZn33 CW506LC26800C2680
H63CuZn372.0321CuZn37 CW508LC27200C2720
H62CuZn402.0360CuZn40 CW509NC28000C2800
HPb59-1CuZn39Pb22.0380CuZn39Pb2 CW612NC37700C3771
QSn4-0.3CuSn42.1016CuSn4 CW450KC51100C5111
QSn6.5-0.1CuSn62.1020CuSn6 CW452KC51900C5191
QSn8-0.3CuSn82.1030CuSn8 CW453KC52100C5210
QCr0.5CuCr0.62.1292CuCr0.6 CW106CC18200C1820
QCr1CuCr12.1293CuCr1 CW105CC18160
QCr1ZrCuCr1Zr2.1293CuCr1Zr CW106CC18150C1815
QBe2CuBe22.1247CuBe2 CW101CC17200C1720
QBe1.7CuBe1.72.1248CuBe1.7 CW102CC17000
QSi3-1CuSi3Mn12.1546CuSi3Mn1 CW116CC65500C6551
QAl7CuAl72.0936CuAl7 CW113CC61400C6140
QAl9-2CuAl9Ni22.0976CuAl9Ni2 CW304GC63000C6301
QMn1.5CuMn22.1362CuMn2 CW200GC24400
QNi1.5CuNi22.0740CuNi2 CW352HC70250C7025
QNi18-16CuNi18Zn192.0742CuNi18Zn19 CW409JC75200C7521
QNi9CuNi9Sn22.0831CuNi9Sn2 CW351HC72500C7251
QAl8Fe3CuAl8Fe32.0938CuAl8Fe3 CW306GC62400C6240
QAl9-4CuAl9Fe42.0978CuAl9Fe4 CW306GC95500C9550
QSi1-3CuSi1Mn12.1453CuSi1Mn1 CW111CC65100C6511
QSn10-1CuSn102.1050CuSn10 CW452KC51000C5101
QSn7-0.2CuSn7ZnPb2.1040CuSn7ZnPb CW453KC53400C5341
QSn6-0.2CuSn6ZnPb2.1030CuSn6ZnPb CW452KC51900C5191
QSn5-0.2CuSn5ZnPb2.1020CuSn5ZnPb CW451KC51000C5101
QSn4-0.3CuSn4ZnPb2.1010CuSn4ZnPb CW450KC51100C5111
Iron Materials Classification and Grades

Classification and Common Grades of Iron Materials

Iron materials are one of the most important fundamental materials in modern manufacturing. They are widely used in machinery, construction, automotive, energy, home appliances, mold making, and many other fields. Based on their chemical composition, mechanical properties, and application directions, iron materials can be subdivided into various categories. The following is a summary of the main classifications and representative grades of iron materials, suitable for website display and customer selection reference:

Common Iron Material Comparison Table

Type Typical Grades Standards Key Properties and Typical Applications
Plain Carbon Steel Q195, Q235, A36, SS400 GB/T, ASTM, JIS Structural parts, profiles, weldments, furniture
High Strength Low Alloy Q345, S355MC, SPFH590 GB/T, EN, JIS Bridges, chassis, construction machinery, heavy structures
Spring Steel 60Si2Mn, 65Mn, 50CrVA GB/T Leaf springs, spring washers, mechanical springs
Tool Steel Cr12, T10, SK5, D2 GB/T, JIS, ASTM Molds, cutting tools, blades, stamping parts
Coated Steel DX51D+Z, SGLCC, SPTE EN, JIS Appliance housings, color-coated sheets, food packaging
Electrical Steel 3W270, 50W470, 35Q235 GB/T, JIS Transformers, motors, inductors, electromagnets
Mould Steel P20, H13, S136, DC53 GB/T, DIN Injection molds, stamping dies, die-casting molds

1. Plain Carbon Steel

Features: Low cost, good weldability, easy to process, widely used in general structural parts.

Common Grades: Q195, Q215, Q235, Q255, Q275 (China), A36 (USA), SS400 (Japan)

Main Applications: Steel structures, profiles, pipes, bolts, furniture, stamped parts, weldments.

2. High Strength Low Alloy Steel (HSLA)

Features: High strength, high yield ratio, good weldability. Suitable for load-bearing parts and chassis.

Common Grades: Q345, Q390, Q420, Q460, Q550, Q690 (China); S235JR, S355JR, S355MC, S500MC, S700MC (Europe); SPFH540, SPFH590, SPFH780 (Japan)

Main Applications: Construction machinery, high-rise buildings, bridge components, heavy-duty frames, vehicle skeletons.

3. Spring & Tool Steel

Features: High strength and hardness, good heat treatment and wear resistance, used in springs, molds, and cutting tools.

  • Spring Steel: 60Si2Mn, 50CrVA, 55CrMnA, 65Mn
  • Tool Steel: T8, T10, SK3, SK4, SK5, Cr12, Cr12MoV, CrWMn, 9Cr18

Main Applications: Mechanical springs, automotive leaf springs, screwdrivers, stamping dies, saw blades, cutting tools.

4. Coated Steel

Features: Surface coated with anti-corrosion layers (zinc, aluminum, tin, etc.), excellent rust prevention and aesthetics.

  • Galvanized Sheet: SGCC, SGCD, DX51D+Z, DX52D+Z, DX53D+Z
  • Aluminum-Zinc Coated: SGLCC, SGLC340
  • Tinplate: SPTE, TFS, MR, L-Tinplate

Main Applications: Appliance housings, color-coated substrates, construction materials, ventilation systems, canned packaging.

5. Electrical Steel

Features: High magnetic permeability, low coercive force, low core loss. Core material for motors and electrical equipment.

  • Non-Oriented Silicon Steel: 3W210, 3W270, 3W440
  • Oriented Silicon Steel: 50W470, 30Q130, 35Q235, DW470-50

Main Applications: Motor cores, transformers, inductors, electric meters, solenoids.

6. Mould Steel

Features: Excellent hardness, toughness, heat resistance, and wear resistance. Suitable for making various molds.

  • Plastic Mould Steel: 1.2311 (P20), 1.2738, 1.2083, S136, NAK80
  • Hot Work Tool Steel: H13 (1.2344), 8407, H21
  • Cold Work Tool Steel: SKD11, Cr12MoV, D2, DC53

Main Applications: Injection molds, stamping dies, die-casting molds, hardware dies, precision molds, cutting tools.

Summary

Each type of iron material has its own unique characteristics in strength, corrosion resistance, processability, and application fields. Reasonable material selection is key to improving product quality and controlling cost. When purchasing materials, enterprises are advised to choose the most suitable type and grade based on operating conditions, processing requirements, and expected lifespan.

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Dongguan Dechuang Hardware Co., Ltd.
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