1.4401 Stainless Steel Plates and Sheets
Stainless steel 1.4401 is also corresponds to the following designations but may not be a direct equivalent: UNS S31600 316S31 EN 58H 1.4401 Stainless Steel Plates and Sheets Physical Properties: Density: 8.0 g/cm3 Melting Point: 1400 C Thermal Expan
Stainless steel material 1.4401 is known as grade 316. 1.4401 stainless steel plates and sheets contains an additional of molybdenum that gives it improved corrosion resistance. This is particularly apparent for pitting and crevice corrosion in chloride environments. 1.4401 stainless steel plates and sheets are supplied in 2B, 2D, bright annealed finish, and mirror finish. 1.4401 stainless steel 2B, 2D, BA finish plates and sheets are usually regarded as "marine grade" stainless steel but is not resistant to warm sea water. Warm chloride environments can cause pitting and crevice corrosion. 1.4401 stainless steel is also subject to stress corrosion cracking above around 60°C.
1.4401 stainless steel 2B, 2D, BA finish plates and sheets are an austenitic grade second only to 304 in commercial importance. 1.4401 stainless steel plates and sheets cannot be hardened by heat treatment. 1.4401 stainless steel plates and sheets have good resistance to oxidation in intermittent service to 870°C and in continuous service to 925°C. However, continuous use at 425-860°C is not recommended if corrosion resistance in water is required. In this instance 1.4404 is recommended due to its resistance to carbide precipitation.
stainless steel processing
The manufacture of stainless steel involves a series of processes. First, the steel is melted, and then it is cast into solid form. After various forming steps, the steel is heat treated and then cleaned and polished to give it the desired finish. Next, it is packaged and sent to manufacturers, who weld and join the steel to produce the desired shapes.
Melting and Casting
The raw materials that constitute a stainless steel item are placed together and melted in a giant electric furnace. Intense heat is applied rigorously for a period of 8 to 12 hours during this step. Once the melting is complete, the molten steel is cast into desired semi-finished forms. Some of the most common forms or shapes include slabs, blooms (rectangular shapes), billets (these could either be round or square), rods, and tube rounds.
Forming
In the second stage, the semi-finished steel shapes undergo a series of forming operations. For instance, the stainless steel is hot rolled (heated and passed through enormous rolls). The blooms and billets mentioned above are converted to bar and wire. The slabs on the other hand are formed into plates, strips or sheets. It is very common to turn semi-finished steel shapes into bars, as it is the most versatile stainless steel form (it comes in all grades and sizes). You have round, square, octagonal, and hexagonal bars, each suitable for a different type of application.
Heat Treatment
The various stainless steel forms undergo a thorough annealing process during this step. Annealing is another name for heat treatment where the stainless steel is heated and cooled in a controlled environment. The purpose of this heat treatment is to relieve the pent-up stress inside the stainless steel and soften the material to make it more suitable for a wide variety of applications. The people in charge of carrying out the annealing process have to be very careful about the conditions as even the slightest of changes in the temperature, pressure, duration, or cooling rate could result in a faulty product.
Descaling
During the annealing process, a certain amount of scale appears on the surface of the stainless steel. This scale can be removed using a number of different processes that are collectively known as descaling. Pickling is one of the more common methods of carrying out the descaling process.
Cutting
The semi-finished, heat-treated, and descaled stainless steel forms are cut into specific shapes in this step. Mechanical cutting is performed with the aid of guillotine knives, blanking, nibbling, and high-speed blades.
Finishing
Finishing is applied to help the stainless steel product achieve its signature aesthetically appealing appearance. Finishes are also needed to make the stainless steel product smooth and easier to clean, which is a top requirement in sanitary applications.