1. Corrosion Resistance: The presence of chromium in stainless steel forms a thin layer of chromium oxide on the surface, making it highly resistant to corrosion. This oxide layer acts as a protective barrier against environmental factors, chemicals, and moisture, providing superior corrosion resistance.

2. High Tensile Strength: Stainless steel possesses good mechanical properties, providing high tensile strength, making it suitable for structural applications and components subjected to heavy loads and stresses.

Temperature Resistance: Stainless steel retains its mechanical properties and corrosion resistance at both high and low temperatures, making it suitable for applications in extreme temperature environments.

3. Formability and Fabrication: Stainless steel can be easily formed and fabricated into various shapes and structures, allowing for versatile applications in manufacturing processes.

4. Low-Maintenance and Long-Lasting: Once stainless steel is put into service, it requires minimal maintenance due to its inherent corrosion resistance. It does not need to be treated, coated, or painted to maintain its appearance and properties over time.

5. Attractive Appearance: Stainless steel has an aesthetically pleasing surface finish, making it popular for use in architectural applications, kitchen equipment, and decorative elements.

Environmentally Friendly and Recyclable: Stainless steel is a highly recyclable material, contributing to sustainable and eco-friendly practices in various industries.

Stainless steels are classified into different grades based on their composition and properties, and they are covered by various national and international standards. There are five main families of stainless steel based on their metallurgical microstructure:

1.Austenitic Stainless Steels: These steels contain nickel in sufficient amounts to change their microstructure to “austenite.” They are highly corrosion-resistant, non-magnetic when annealed, and exhibit good ductility, formability, and weldability. The most common grade is 304 (1.4301), which accounts for more than 50% of stainless steel consumed globally.

2.Ferritic Stainless Steels: These steels are plain chromium steels with a chromium content between 12% and 18%. They have moderate corrosion resistance, are magnetic, and cannot be hardened by heat treatment. Grade 430 stainless steel and grade 409 stainless steel are common examples of ferritic stainless steels.

3.Martensitic Stainless Steels: These steels were among the first stainless steels developed for commercial applications and were initially used for cutlery. They have a relatively high carbon content (0.1 – 1.2%) and a chromium content between 12% and 18%. Martensitic stainless steels are heat-treatable and exhibit moderate corrosion resistance.

4. Duplex Stainless Steels: These steels have a mixed microstructure containing both ferritic and austenitic phases. They have a relatively high chromium content (18-28%) and moderate nickel content (4.5-8%). Duplex stainless steels also tend to contain 2.5-4% molybdenum, which enhances their corrosion resistance.

Each grade within these families has specific properties that cater to different industrial applications. For example, austenitic stainless steels (e.g., grade 304 and grade 316) are commonly used in kitchen equipment, food processing, and structural components. Ferritic stainless steels (e.g., grade 430 and grade 409) find applications in automotive components, petrochemical industry, and appliances.