Stainless steel (316, 317, 340, and others) is a common material used in industrial and commercial applications today. Thanks to modern stainless steel machining methods, a wide range of shapes and sizes are available to serve many industries. But why is this material so popular today? Here are some good reasons to consider this important metal for your products.
Corrosion
Do you need parts with a high resistance to corrosion? If so, you may want to think about aluminum because it is cheaper to use than materials like 316 or 340. However, aluminum is light in weight, but it does not have the strength of steel. Steel can hold up to a number of challenging applications. It does not distort easily and has a high resistance to stretching and heat.
When you need excellent resistance to moisture, consider the benefits of parts made by stainless steel machining. However, when working with this metal, you need very sharp tools and a lot of knowledge on the types of stainless steel available. For example, an austenitic type like 304 is not magnetic. Yet, if you need magnetic metal for your parts, consider a ferritic type like 430. 430 grade does not work harden like 304 and other austenitic grades, so it is easier to use for stainless steel machining.
Sanitation
If you are in the food or beverage processing business, you need a high degree of sanitation. You also need a lot of corrosion resistance as you may have wash down applications. Food grade stainless steel is very durable. It has a high resistance to heat and resists pitting, making it easy to clean and maintain. This helps to prevent bacteria buildup and is the reason why food grade stainless steel is mandatory in many beverage and food manufacturing processes today.
