From skyscrapers and knives to medical equipment and pipes, stainless steel is the winner in every aspect of our lives. But what is stainless steel and how is it manufactured? One of the longest-standing and most trusted names in steel making, here at Laxcon Steels, we are experts at delivering global-leading stainless solutions, driving infrastructure, industry, and innovation. In this article, we present to you the fundamentals of stainless steel, its chemistry, and manufacturing to the uppermost levels of performance.
What is Stainless Steel?
Stainless steel is a chromium-bearing corrosion-resistant alloy of iron with a 10.5% minimum of chromium. The metal derives its "stainless" characteristic from the chromium, which shields it against rusting, oxidation, and staining. While standard steel discolours and is degraded if it is exposed to heat, moisture, and chemicals, stainless types are not.
It is a durable and versatile SS metal used across various industries from construction, motor, and health care to food processing and naval applications.
Ingredients of Stainless Steel
The unique chemical content is responsible for the functionality of stainless steel. The major ingredients of stainless steel are:
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Iron (Fe): Steel's structural content.
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Chromium (Cr): Typically 10.5% or more, forms a very thin surface layer of chromium oxide, and the metal acquires corrosion resistance.
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Nickel (Ni): Improves corrosion resistance and hardness.
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Carbon (C): Added in minor percentages to harden and strengthen the alloy.
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Manganese (Mn), Molybdenum (Mo), and Nitrogen (N): Included in some grades to provide certain properties such as enhanced pitting corrosion resistance, strength, and ductility.
Each of these components comes together to create a chemically resistant, mechanically hardened stainless steel alloy.
Production of Stainless Steel: The Process
To produce a high-performance stainless steel alloy, precision, quality checks, and high-tech are required. The successive process by which stainless steel is produced is as follows:
1. Melting and Casting
Raw materials, iron ore, steel scrap, and alloying additives (chromium, nickel, etc.) are melted in an electric arc furnace (EAF) / Electric Induction Furnace (EIF) and followed by Argon Oxygen Decarburization (AOD)/Vacuum Oxygen Decarburization (VOD). During the processing, all of them have been mixed together properly.
Once the molten metal has reached the desired chemical composition, it is cast into a semi-finished product like a slab, bloom, or billet.
2. Hot Rolling
The cast steel is then rolled in a hot rolling mill, where it is hot rolled and subsequently rolled into plates, coils, bars, or into any other desired shape. The process stiffens the grain structure and the mechanical properties.
The cast steel is then rolled in a hot rolling mill, where it is rolled hot and subsequently rolled into plates, coils, bars, or into any other desired shape. The process stiffens the grain structure and the mechanical properties.
3. Heat Treatment and Annealing
nternal stress is eased and ductility enhanced by giving the hot-rolled material controlled heat treatment and cooling. Annealing also recovers lost corrosion resistance that may be lost during previous processing.
4. Pickling and Descaling
Steel is pickled in an acid bath to eliminate surface impurities, i.e., oxide films or scale films, to reveal a clean, shiny underlying surface.
5. Testing and Quality Assurance
Material is tested to be mechanically, chemically, and physically sound to international quality levels before shipping out.
Why Stainless Steel Is the Material of the Future
Stainless steel is the metal of the future in clean development due to its longevity, recyclability, hygiene, and corrosion resistance. To construct a skyscraper, food-grade factory or surgical tool, the right SS metal guarantees longevity and reliability.
Conclusion
Understand what goes into making stainless steel, and you can understand why the entire world uses it. From its high-performance Stainless Steel components to its complicated and controlled Stainless Steel manufacturing process, it's a technological marvel.
Here at Laxcon Steels, we manufacture high-quality stainless steel alloy products with industry-specific standards in mind—strength, quality, and reliability from start to finish. Partner with us and find the best of stainless.