INDUSTRY INFORMATION

What is Stainless Steel

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!

Hardness Conversion Table (HB/HRC/HRB/HV）

HB HRC HRB HV

Brinell (HB)	Rockwell C (HRC)	Rockwell B (HRB)	Vickers (HV)

Brinell (HB)	Rockwell C (HRC)	Rockwell B (HRB)	Vickers (HV)

Aluminum & Alloy Hardness Table

Alloy Grade	Webster Hardness	Brinell Hardness	Vickers Hardness	Rockwell Hardness	Barcol Hardness
1050-H14	0	30			45
1050-H16	2.5	35			51
1050-H18	6.3	43			58
1060-H12	0	23			35
1060-H14	0	26			40
1060-H16	0	30			45
1060-H18	2.5	35			51
1100-H12	0	28			42
1100-H14	0	32			47
1100-H16	4.2	38			54
1100-H18	6.8	44			59
1100-H19 箔片	10.1	55			66
1100-O	0	23			35
1145-H18	4.2	39			54
1145-H19 箔片	6.8	45			59
1180-H18	0	30			45
1199-H18	0	31			46
1235-H19 箔片	6.8	45			59
1235-O 箔片	6.8	45			59
1350-H12	0	26			40
1350-H14	0	30			45
1350-H16	1.3	34			49
1350-H19	8.8	50			63
1350-O	0	23			35
2011-T3	15	95	107	60	79
2011-T3	15	95	107	60	79
2011-T4	13.7	80	90	49	75
2011-T6	15.3	97	109	61	80
2011-T8	15.3	100	112	63	80
2011-T8	15.3	100	112	63	80
2014-O	6.8	45			59
2014-T4; 2014-T451	15.9	105	118	67	82
2014-T6; 2014-T651	17.8	135	155	82	90
2017-O	6.8	45			59
2017-T4; 2017-T451	15.9	105	118	66	82
2018-T61	16.9	120	137	75	86
2024-O	7.8	47			61
2024-T3	16.9	120	137	75	86
2024-T361	17.4	130	149	80	88
2024-T4; 2024-T351	16.9	120	137	75	86
2024-T6	17.2	125	142	78	87
2024-T81	17.4	128	146	79	88
2024-T851	17.4	128	146	79	88
2024-T86	17.8	135	155	82	90
2025-T6	16.2	110	124	69	83
2036-T4	15	95	107	60	79
2048	16.9	122	139	76	86
2090-O	10.6	57			67
2090-T3	14.3	86	97	53	77
2090-T84	18	140	162	84	91
2091-T8x	16.4	115	130	71	84
2091-T8x, 0.1 冷变形	16.9	120	137	75	86
2117-T4	12.6	70	81		72
2124-T351	16.9	120	137	75	86
2124-T851	17.4	128	146	79	88
2218-T61	16.4	115	126	71	84
2218-T71	15.9	105	118	66	82
2218-T72	15	95	107	60	79
2219-O	7.3	46			60
2219-T31	15.3	100	113	63	80
2219-T351	15.3	100	113	63	80
2219-T37	16.7	117	133	73	85
2219-T62	16.4	115	130	72	84
2219-T81	17.4	130	149	80	88
2219-T851	17.4	130	149	80	88
2219-T87	17.4	130	149	80	88
2618-T61	16.4	115	130	72	84
3003-H12	2.5	35			51
3003-H14	4.7	40			55
3003-H16	7.8	47			61
3003-H18	10.1	55			66
3003-H19 箔片	12.2	68	76		71
3003-O	0	28			42
3004-H19	13.7	79	89		75
3004-H32	9.2	52			64
3004-H34	11.4	63	73		69
3004-H36	12.6	70	80		72
3004-H38	13.3	77	87		74
3004-O	6.8	45			59
3005-H14	8.3	49			62
3005-H18	11.8	65	75		70
3005-O	2.5	35			51
3104-H19	13.3	78	88		74
3105-H12	5.3	41			56
3105-H14	7.3	46			60
3105-H16	9.7	53			65
3105-H18	10.6	58			67
3105-H25	8.3	49			62
3105-O	0	31			46
4032-T6	16.9	120	137	75	86
4032-T651	16.9	120	136	75	86
4032-T86	16.9	120	136	75	86
4043-H14	7.3	46			60
4043-H16	9.7	54			65
4043-H18	13.3	77	87		74
4043-O	4.2	39			54
5005-H12	4.2	38			54
5005-H14	6.3	43			58
5005-H16	8.3	49			62
5005-H18	9.7	54			65
5005-H32	3.1	36			52
5005-H34	5.3	41			56
5005-H36	7.3	46			60
5005-H38	10.1	55			66
5005-O	0	28			42
5042-H19	15	96	108	60	79
5050-H32	7.3	46			60
5050-H34	9.7	53			65
5050-H36	10.6	58			67
5050-H38	11.4	63	73		69
5050-O	3.1	36			52
5052-H19 箔片	14.3	88	99	54	77
5052-H32	11	60	68		68
5052-H34	12.2	68	78		71
5052-H36	12.9	73	83		73
5052-H38	13.3	77	87		74
5052-O	7.8	47			61
5056-H18	15.9	105	118	66	82
5056-H191 箔片	16.9	120	137	75	86
5056-H38	15.3	100	112	63	80
5056-O	11.8	65	75		70
5082-H19	15.9	106	120	67	82
5083-H112	13.7	81	91	50	75
5083-H116; 5083-H321	14	85	96	53	76
5083-H32; 5083-H323	14.3	87	98	54	77
5083-H34; 5083-H343	14.7	93	104	58	78
5083-O	13.3	77	87		74
5086-H112	12.9	73	83		73
5086-H116; 5086-H32	13.3	78	88		74
5086-H34	14.3	87	98	54	77
5086-O	12.6	70	80		72
5154-H112	11.4	63	73		69
5154-H32	12.2	67	77		71
5154-H34	12.9	73	83		73
5154-H36	12.2	67	77		71
5154-H38	13.7	80	90	49	75
5154-O	10.6	58			67
5182-H19	16.2	112	127	70	83
5182-H32	14	85	96	53	76
5182-H34	14.7	91	102	57	78
5182-O	12.9	74	84		73
5252-H25; 5252-H38	12.2	68	78		71
5252-H28	13.3	75	85		74
5252-O	7.3	46			60
5254-H112	11.4	63	73		69
5254-H32	12.2	67	77		71
5254-H34	12.9	73	83		73
5254-H36	13.3	78	88		74
5254-H38	13.7	80	90	49	75
5254-O	10.6	58			67
5454-H111; 5454-H311	12.6	70	80		72
5454-H112	11.4	62			69
5454-H32	12.9	73	83		73
5454-H34	13.7	81			75
5454-O	11.4	62	72		69
5456-H111	14.3	87	98	54	77
5456-H112	14	83	94	51	76
5456-H116; 5456-H321	14.7	90	101	56	78
5456-H24	14.7	90	101	56	78
5456-O	14	83	94	51	76
5457-H25	8.3	48			62
5457-H28; 5457-H38	10.1	55			66
5457-O	0	32			47
5652-H32	11	60	70		68
5652-H34	12.2	68	78		71
5652-H36	12.9	73	83		73
5652-H38	13.3	77	87		74
5652-O	7.8	47			61
5657-H25	4.7	40			55
5657-H28; 5657-H38	8.8	50			63
5657-O	0	28			42
6005-T1	7.3	46			60
6005-T5	15	95	107	60	79
6009-T4	11.4	62	70		69
6009-T6	14.7	91	102	57	78
6010-T4	13.3	78	88		74
6013-T651	17.4	130	149	80	88
6013-T8 0.3-1.9 cm	17.4	130	149	80	88
6013-T8 1.9-3.8 cm	17.4	130	149	80	88
6013-T8 3.8-8.2 cm	17.4	130	149	80	88
6020-T651	15	95	107	60	79
6020-T8	15.3	100	112	63	80
6020-T9	16.9	120	136	75	86
6053-O	0	26			40
6053-T6	13.7	80	90	49	75
6061-O	0	30			45
6061-T4; 6061-T451	11.8	65	75		70
6061-T6; 6061-T651	15	95	107	60	79
6061-T8	16.9	120	136	75	86
6061-T91	15.9	108	123	69	82
6061-T913	17.2	123	139	76	87
6063-O	0	25			38
6063-T1	5.8	42			57
6063-T4	7.3	46			60
6063-T5	11	60	70		68
6063-T6	12.9	73	83		73
6063-T83	14	82	92	50	76
6063-T831	12.6	70	80		72
6063-T832	15	95	107	60	79
6063-T835	15.9	105	118	66	82
6066-O	6.3	43			58
6066-T4; 6066-T451	14.7	90	101	56	78
6066-T6; 6066-T651	16.9	120	137	75	86
6070-O	2.5	35			51
6070-T4	14.7	90	101	56	78
6070-T6	16.9	120	137	75	86
6101-H111	0	26			40
6101-T6	12.6	71	81		72
6151-T6	15.3	100	112	63	80
6201-T6	14.7	90	101	56	78
6201-T81	14.3	88	99	55	77
6205-T1	11.8	65	75		70
6205-T5	15	95	107	60	79
6262-T6	12.6	71	81		72
6262-T8	15.6	103	116	65	81
6262-T9	16.9	120	137	75	86
6351-T4; 6351-T451	12.2	67	77		71
6351-T54	10.6	58			67
6351-T6; 6351-T651	15	95	107	60	79
6463-O	0	25			38
6463-T1	5.8	42			57
6463-T4	7.3	46			60
6463-T5	11	60	68		68
6463-T6	12.9	74	84		73
6951-O	0	28			42
6951-T6	14	82	92	50	76
7001-O	11	60			68
7005-O	9.7	53			65
7005-T53	15.9	105	118	66	82
7005-T6, 7005-T63	15	94	106	59	79
7005-T6351	15	94	106	59	79
7005-W	14.7	93	105	50	78
7016-T5	15	96	108	60	79
7021-T62	16.2	112	127	70	83
7029-T5	16.4	115	128	71	84
7039-O	11.4	61	69		69
7039-T61	17.2	123	140	76	87
7039-T64	17.6	133	153	81	89
7049-T73; 7049-T7352	17.8	135	155	82	90
7050-T73511; 7050-T73510	17.6	132	151	80	89
7050-T7451 (7050-T73651)	18	140	162	84	91
7072-H12	0	28			42
7072-H14	0	32			47
7075-O	11	60	68		68
7075-T73; 7075-T735x	17.8	135	155	82	90
7175-T7351	17.8	135	155	82	90
7175-T736;7175-T7365x	18.2	145	169	86	92
7178-O	11	60	68		68
7475-T7351	17.8	135	155	82	90
7475-T761	18	140	162	84	91
7475-T7651	18	140	162	84	91
8001-H18	9.7	54			65
8001-O	0	30			45
8081-H112	9.7	53			65
8081-H25	6.8	45			59
8090-T3	14.7	91	102	57	78
8090-T511;+B35 8090-T6511	17.8	137	158	83	90
8090-T81	16.7	116	137	73	85
8090-T8151	16.9	121	137	75	86
8090-T852	17.4	128	146	79	88
8090-T8771; 8090-T651	18	138	158	83	91
8090-T8x	17.4	130	149	80	88
8280-H18	11	59	67		68
8280-O	0	31			46

Copper and Alloy Grade Comparison

China GB	Germany DIN	Europe EN	International ISO	USA UNS	Japan JIS
TU2	OF-Cu	2.0040	Cu-OFE CW009A	C10100	C1011
T2	E-Cu58	2.0065	Cu-ETP CW004A	C11000	C1100
TP2	SF-Cu	2.0090	Cu-DHP CW024A	C12200	C1220
TP1	SW-Cu	2.0076	Cu-DLP CW023A	C12000	C1201
H96	CuZn5	2.0220	CuZn5 CE500L	C21000	C2100
H90	CuZn10	2.0230	CuZn10 CW501L	C22000	C2200
H85	CuZn15	2.0240	CuZn15 CW502L	C23000	C2300
H80	CuZn20	2.0250	CuZn20 CW503L	C24000	C2400
H70	CuZn30	2.0265	CuZn30 CW505L	C26000	C2600
H68	CuZn33	2.0280	CuZn33 CW506L	C26300	C2630
H65	CuZn33	2.0335	CuZn33 CW506L	C26800	C2680
H63	CuZn37	2.0321	CuZn37 CW508L	C27200	C2720
H62	CuZn40	2.0360	CuZn40 CW509N	C28000	C2800
HPb59-1	CuZn39Pb2	2.0380	CuZn39Pb2 CW612N	C37700	C3771
QSn4-0.3	CuSn4	2.1016	CuSn4 CW450K	C51100	C5111
QSn6.5-0.1	CuSn6	2.1020	CuSn6 CW452K	C51900	C5191
QSn8-0.3	CuSn8	2.1030	CuSn8 CW453K	C52100	C5210
QCr0.5	CuCr0.6	2.1292	CuCr0.6 CW106C	C18200	C1820
QCr1	CuCr1	2.1293	CuCr1 CW105C	C18160
QCr1Zr	CuCr1Zr	2.1293	CuCr1Zr CW106C	C18150	C1815
QBe2	CuBe2	2.1247	CuBe2 CW101C	C17200	C1720
QBe1.7	CuBe1.7	2.1248	CuBe1.7 CW102C	C17000
QSi3-1	CuSi3Mn1	2.1546	CuSi3Mn1 CW116C	C65500	C6551
QAl7	CuAl7	2.0936	CuAl7 CW113C	C61400	C6140
QAl9-2	CuAl9Ni2	2.0976	CuAl9Ni2 CW304G	C63000	C6301
QMn1.5	CuMn2	2.1362	CuMn2 CW200G	C24400
QNi1.5	CuNi2	2.0740	CuNi2 CW352H	C70250	C7025
QNi18-16	CuNi18Zn19	2.0742	CuNi18Zn19 CW409J	C75200	C7521
QNi9	CuNi9Sn2	2.0831	CuNi9Sn2 CW351H	C72500	C7251
QAl8Fe3	CuAl8Fe3	2.0938	CuAl8Fe3 CW306G	C62400	C6240
QAl9-4	CuAl9Fe4	2.0978	CuAl9Fe4 CW306G	C95500	C9550
QSi1-3	CuSi1Mn1	2.1453	CuSi1Mn1 CW111C	C65100	C6511
QSn10-1	CuSn10	2.1050	CuSn10 CW452K	C51000	C5101
QSn7-0.2	CuSn7ZnPb	2.1040	CuSn7ZnPb CW453K	C53400	C5341
QSn6-0.2	CuSn6ZnPb	2.1030	CuSn6ZnPb CW452K	C51900	C5191
QSn5-0.2	CuSn5ZnPb	2.1020	CuSn5ZnPb CW451K	C51000	C5101
QSn4-0.3	CuSn4ZnPb	2.1010	CuSn4ZnPb CW450K	C51100	C5111

Iron Material Categories and Grades

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.
Phone: +86-769-81888566
Mobile (WhatsApp): +86-13332617868 (Jane) / +86-17620152277 (Eric)
Email: hcy518@163.com (Jane) / sale2@dgdechuang.com (Eric)

Office Address: Room 2103, Building 8, Vanke Center, No.1 Changqing South Road, Chang’an Town, Dongguan, China
Factory Address: No.6 Shukeng Street, Yanwu Village, Dalingshan Town, Dongguan, Guangdong, China