Stainless Steel
The Righton range of stainless steel products includes long products, flat products, marine materials, tubular products and handrailing. As stainless steel is a hugely versatile material with unique properties it is an exceptional material for use in many applications.
Characteristics of Stainless Steel
- Corrosion resistance
- High & low temperature resistance
- Ease of fabrication
- High strength
- Aesthetic appeal
- Hygienic properties
Although there are a number of grades to choose from, stainless steel can be divided into five basic categories: Austenitic, ferritic, duplex, martensitic & precipitation hardening. Austenitic and ferritic grades are most commonly used, accounting for 95% of stainless steel applications with type 1.4301 (304) being the most commonly specified grade by far.
Austenitic Stainless Steel
Austenitic stainless steels are non-magnetic and cannot be hardened by heat treatment, although they strain rapidly when cold worked. Easily formed and one of the most highly corrosion resistant materials available. Low carbon content offers excellent resistance to intergranular corrosion even after welding.
EN 10088-3/1.4301, BS1449/304S15 & ASTM–AISI/304L
An austenitic stainless steel with good corrosion resistance in un-polluted atmospheres and fresh water environments.
Typical applications: Dairy, brewery, domestic & food processing industries along with cryogenic vessels & components.
EN 10088-3/1.404, BS 1449/316S11 & ASTM – AISI/316L
An austenitic stainless steel with the addition of molybdenum to its chemical composition. The result is steel with excellent corrosion resistance in industrial and marine environments along with improved tensile creep strength at elevated temperatures.
Typical applications: Chemical, petroleum, textile, pulp and paper processing industries and it is particularly well suited for marine applications where pitting corrosion resistance is required.
Ferritic Stainless Steel
Stainless steels with chromium content in the range of 12-18% and whose structure consists largely of ferrite and is therefore magnetic.
EN 10088-3/1.4016, BS1449/430S17 & ASTM – AISI/430
A ferritic stainless steel with moderate to good corrosive resistance. Always used in the annealed condition but is not hardened by heat treatment. Weldability is poor but ductility is good.
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For many years now, the worldwide marine industry has relied upon the expertise of Righton, a leading supplier of highly corrosion resistant aluminium, stainless steel, copper alloys, composites and plastics products.