Complete reference for austenitic, martensitic, duplex, and precipitation hardening stainless steels. Properties, machinability ratings, and applications for aerospace, defence, marine, and medical industries.
Understanding the five main families of stainless steel and their characteristics
300 Series • Non-magnetic • Excellent corrosion resistance
400 Series • Magnetic • High strength, hardness
400 Series • Magnetic • Moderate corrosion resistance
Dual-phase • High strength • Superior corrosion
Precipitation Hardening • Very high strength
Low carbon marine grade. Superior corrosion resistance, excellent weldability.
General purpose 18-8 grade. Good corrosion resistance and formability.
Precipitation hardening. Very high strength with good corrosion resistance.
Free-machining grade. Excellent machinability for high-volume production.
Titanium stabilized. Excellent high temperature properties to 900°C.
General purpose martensitic. Good strength and moderate corrosion resistance.
Free-machining martensitic. Excellent machinability, good hardness.
Precipitation hardening. Superior transverse properties, high strength.
Quick reference for key mechanical properties of popular stainless steel grades
| Grade | Type | Tensile Strength | Machinability | Corrosion | Magnetic |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 316L | Austenitic | 485-690 MPa | 45% | Excellent | |
| 304 | Austenitic | 515-720 MPa | 45% | Good | |
| 17-4 PH | PH Grade | 1310 MPa | 55% | Good | |
| 416 | Martensitic | 655 MPa | 85% | Fair |
Our material specialists can help you choose the optimal stainless steel grade for your application, verify mill certificates, and ensure complete traceability.