C & N International Limited

Specialist Supplier of Ferrous & Non-Ferrous Products

Materials

Stainless and Maraging Steels

Steels are said to be Stainless when they resist corrosion, for this reason they are commonly used in the harsh environments of the Chemical, Oil Production, Aerospace and Power Generation Industries.

Stainless Steels have higher resistance to oxidisation and corrosion in many natural and man made environments; however, it is important to select the correct type and grade of Stainless Steel for the particular application.

Austenitic Stainless Steels

Austenitic or 300 series, Stainless Steels compromise over 70% of total Stainless Steel production. They contain a maximum of 0.15% Carbon, a minimum of 16% Chromium and sufficient Nickel and /or Manganese to retain an Austenitic structure at all temperatures from the cryogenic region to the melting point of the alloy.

Ferritic Stainless Steels

Ferritic Stainless Steels are highly corrosion resistant, but less durable that Austenitic grades. They contain between 10.5% and 27% Chromium and very little Nickel, if any. Most compositions include Molybdenum with some, Aluminium and Titanium.

Martensitic Stainless Steels

Martensitic Stainless Steels are not as corrosion resistant as the other two, but are extremely strong and tough as well as highly machinable, and can be hardened by heat treatment. Martensitic Stainless Steels contains Chromium, (12-14%) Molybdenum, (0.2-1%) zero to less than 2% Nickel and about 0.1-1% carbon (this gives the material better hardness but making the material a little bit more brittle).

Precipitation Hardening Martensitic Stainless Steels

Precipitation Hardening Martensitic Stainless Steels have corrosion resistance comparable to Austenitic varieties, but can be precipitation hardened to even higher strengths than the other Martensitic grades. The most common, 17-4ph, uses about 17% Chromium and 4% Nickel.

Maraging Steel

Maraging Steel is an Iron Alloy, which is known for possessing superior strength without losing malleability. Other alloying elements include Nickel, Molybdenum, Aluminium, Copper and Titanium.

Maraging is a grade of Steel, which is free from Carbon, which distinguishes it from other types of Steel and in result, gives the following,

Possesses high strength and toughness
Alloys for easy machining with minimal distortion
Can be easily Nitrided
Resist corrosion and cracks
Can be finely polished

C & N International are stocking and distributing Stainless and Maraging Steels in ESR, Air or Vac Melt grades and in accordance with most Worldwide recognised specifications.

For more information, download our PDF brochure.