following on from the xs power thread, i've done some digging on the net and found this.
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T304
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This is the basic grade of stainless steel.
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An 18% chrome and 8% nickel austenic grade, which gives a far greater corrosion resistance compared with normal chrome alloys.
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Reduced carbon increases resistance to inter-granular corrosion after welding.
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Service Temperature 800° C
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T304-S11
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/ T304L
The same as T304, but with carbon limited to
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.03% max which even further increases corrosion resistance after welding.
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Service Temperature 800° C
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T303
This is a free machining alloy.
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By adding a additional content of sulphur or selenium the machinability is improved significantly.
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Service Temperature 800° C
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T321
This grade contains titanium, which is added in proportion to the carbon content.
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This grade is designed to prevent inter-granular corrosion after welding.
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This also makes it more suitable to higher temperature applications than most other austenitic grades available
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Service Temperature 850° C
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T347
T374 contains niobium, which like T321, is added in proportion to the carbon content.
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This grade is also designed to prevent inter-granular corrosion after welding.
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Again it can be used in higher temperatures than most other austenitic grades.
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Service Temperature 850° C
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T316L
This contains molybdenum, which gives a far greater corrosion resistance.
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Used for applications where toxic solutions may attack the material.
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Service Temperature 800° C
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400 Series
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T410
This grade has 0.15% max Carbon content, an average Chromium content of about 13%.
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It can also can be hardened and tempered to produce good strength and toughness.
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It can be used for a wide range of engineering applications but corrosion resistance is not as good as T431 or T304 stainless.
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T416
This is a free machining alloy.
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By adding an additional content of sulphur or selenium the machinability is improved significantly, but at the expense of corrosion resistance.
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T420
This grade is the same as T410 but has higher levels of Carbon present.
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This increases the hardness of the steel which makes it great for the manufacture of items such as blades.
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T431
This grade has 0.15% max.
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Carbon
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, Chrome 15-17%, Nickel 1.25%-2.5%, these additions giving higher strength and better corrosion resistance than a T410 stainless.
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T440
Carbon is increased to enable greater hardening, Chrome is also increased to maintain corrosion resistance.
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This grade offers considerable material hardness combined with moderate corrosion resistance, again this grade can be used in wide range of engineering applications.
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