Things to consider when choosing grades for stainless steel fittings

Stainless steel is known for its corrosion resistance and is being used in a lot of variety applications. With a wide range of grades, this metal can accommodate different applications around many different industries. However, so many grades make it necessary to choose the most suitable one for the particular requirements. Here we list out certain things to consider when choosing a grade for stainless steel fittings.

Good formability

If you want excellent formability, then you should avoid the martensitic category of stainless steels. Go for austenitic grade such as SS 304 Flanges or more ferritic grade, 430. Other grades like 410 are seemed to be brittle and are not immediately formable. You can choose austenitic stainless steels as they the best choice to meet your formable stainless steel needs.

Check if it needs to be welded

Welding stainless steel is entirely different from that of welding carbon steel, and it can lead to issues such as hot cracking, intergraular corrosion and stress corrosion cracking. Weldable stainless steels are usually come in the austenitic group. You can go for grades like 304L or 347. When 304L shows lower carbon, 347 has niobium stabilizers added to it for deterring intergranular corrosion. Ferritic grades like 430 or 439 are also readily weldable. When you look for stainless steel 316l flanges or stainless steel 316l fittings, utmost care should be take to make sure that the actual mechanical aspects are not compromised during the welding process.

Check if the steel needs to be machined

Special care and attention should be given when machining is needed and you are working with stainless steel. Almost all grades of stainless steel can be machined; however, this metal is very susceptible to work hardening. You should optimize the machining process to work at a level that helps reduce this issue and the equipments used for machining must be kept in excellent working condition. Similar to Carbon Steel Forged Fittings, sulfur is used to improve machinability.

Type of corrosion resistance needed

Stainless steels are chosen for its corrosion resistance elements; however, it is crucial to understand that different grades offer different levels of corrosion resistance. Austenitic types offer the most corrosion resistance due to their high amounts of chromium. This is why grade 304 is a good choice when corrosion resistance is considered. Martensitic types and ferritic types are typically more affordable than austenitic models as they have less nickel and in some case less chromium than austenitic models, which results in the loss of corrosion resistance. You can consider using duplex models as they avoid the stress corrosion cracking related to austenitic stainless steels.

There are hundreds and thousands of stainless steel pipe manufacturers and suppliers in India to buy your needed grades and components. You can get wphy 52 fittings, A234 WP11orASTM A182 F22 or Stainless Steel 316 Flanges from the same manufacturer, but you have to ensure the quality and reputation of the company before moving further. Pick the most established company to get high quality stainless steel pipe and fittings at unbeatable price rates.