Stainless steel is the generic name for the widely popular family of corrosion resistant metal alloys. Though there are a number of different stainless steels, austenitic vs. martensitic, for example, the one commonality that they all share is a 10.5% minimum chromium content. Once chromium is alloyed to steel it forms a protective film on the steel surface, preventing any contact with oxygen. Depending on the material needs, other elements such as nickel, molybdenum, or titanium can be added to improve corrosion resistance and to provide additional necessary properties that can enhance performance of the metal.

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Corrosion resistance and heat resistance are the primary reason for specifying stainless steel. For these reasons, temperatures and chemicals are among issues to consider when determining the right grade for an application.304 and 316 alloys retain their strength, toughness, and corrosion-resistant properties in high temperatures.
Lower alloyed grades resist corrosion in atmospheric and pure water environments; high alloyed grades can resist corrosion in most acids, alkaline solutions and chlorine bearing environments making their properties useful in process plants. Chromium is the alloying element that imparts to stainless steels their corrosion resistance qualities by combining oxygen to form a thin invisible chromium-oxide protective film on the surface. The addition of molybdenum can increase the hardenability, toughness and tensile strength. The main reason to add molybdenum is to reduce pitting. (more…)

Eagle Stainless has increased our capabilities for bending stainless steel tubing with a new CNC Tube Bending Machine. This gives additional capacity as well as increased CNC tube bending through .625 diameter in a variety of wall thicknesses, with minimal radius and wall thinning requirements. The machine assures consistent bending and precision dimensions. (more…)