Stainless steels are iron alloys with a minimum of ~10.5% chromium, which forms a protective oxide film for corrosion resistance. They are categorized by their metallurgical microstructure into five main families: austenitic, ferritic, martensitic, duplex, and precipitation-hardened (PH) stainless steels. Each family has distinct compositions, properties, and applications. Below is a comprehensive overview of these categories, including key characteristics and popular grades (such as 304, 316, 430, 410, 2205, and 17-4PH), with their standard designations, chemical compositions, mechanical properties, and typical uses. Read More
