Although many people don't know it, there are different types of stainless steel. Most people only know stainless steel as a single entity used in many ways. However, it is not. The different stainless steel types shown below are based on the composition of their ingredients. The following are the main stainless steel types:

    Austenitic Stainless Steel

This is the most common type of stainless steel. It has an extremely high nickel content combined with other elements such as chromium, nitrogen and molybdenum. Austenitic steels are weldable, durable, ductile and corrosion resistant. They are used to make kitchenware and storage elements. However, they are very expensive. Common austenitic stainless steels are alloy 304 and 904L (N08904).

    Ferritic Stainless Steel

Ferritic stainless steels have a lower carbon content (up to 0.10%) than other stainless steel types. However, it contains large amounts of chromium and molybdenum. This stainless steel has high magnetic properties and high corrosion resistance. Hence, they are used in the manufacture of products that require such properties. This includes kitchen cookware and industrial entities. Common ferritic stainless steel alloys 430 and 434.

    Duplex Stainless Steel

Duplex stainless steels come from a combination of ferritic and austenitic stainless steels. Therefore, they exude character from both types of stainless steel. They are cheaper and have high corrosion resistance. Therefore, they are mainly used in the underwater oil industry.

They are somewhat malleable and solderable, which reduces the number of components they can be used with. Common duplex stainless steels include S31803 and S32205 stainless steels.

    Martensitic Stainless Steel

Martensitic stainless steels are similar to ferritic stainless steels. However, unlike ferritic stainless steels, martensitic stainless steels have a higher carbon content (>1%). Because of this property, they are hard, rust-resistant, and durable, making them ideal for situations with such properties. You'll see them being used to make valves or pumps. Common martensitic stainless steel materials are alloy 431 and 420S45.

    Precipitation Hardening

This stainless steel is very strong due to the addition of elements such as copper, niobium and aluminum. They also have other stainless steel properties comparable to standard austenitic stainless types.