There is a VERY crude way of separating really bad stainless steel from
better (not necessarilly high) quality stainless steel. Stainless steel
is stainless because it has Nickel and Chromium in it. Nickel and
Chromium are both non-magnetic. If the stainless steel will stick to a
magnet, you don't want it. Again the test is very crude, but at least
you can weed out the worst of the bunch.
Below is a list of some of the most common grades of stainless steel and
their mechanical properties. Hope it's helpful.
Grade I (Type 316)
Annealed
- Ultimate strength 75,000 psi (515 MPa)
- Yield strength 30,000 psi (205 MPa)
- Elongation % 40
- Rockwell Hardness 95 HRB
Cold-finished
- Ultimate strength 90,000 psi (620 MPa)
- Yeild strength 45,000 psi (310 MPa)
- Elongation % 35
- Rockwell Hardness ----
Cold-worked
- Ultimate strength 125,000 psi (860 MPa)
- Yeild strength 100,000 psi (690 MPa)
- Elongation % 12
- Rockwell Hardness 300-350 HRB
Grade II (Type 316L)
Annealed
- Ultimate strength 73,000 psi (505 MPa)
- Yeild strength 28,000 psi (195 MPa)
- Elongation % 40
- Rockwell Hardness 95 HRB
Cold-finished
- Ultimate strength 88,000 psi (605 MPa)
- Yeild strength 43,000 psi (295 MPa)
- Elongation % 35
- Rockwell Hardness ---
Cold-worked
- Ultimate strength 125,000 psi (860 MPa)
- Yeild strength 100,000 psi (690 MPa)
- Elongation % 12
- Rockwell Hardness ---
This list came from Biomechanics by Park & Lakes. These are probably
the most common types of stainless steel. As far as the numbers go,
with the exception of the elongation %, the higher the number, the
better. I'm sure this info will be of little or no good, but maybe
someone will find it useful. If anyone needs any more info on a
different grade, let me know.
Safety fast,
Mike Hartley
hartley_mc@acadmn.mercer.peachnet.edu
Desperately seeking an MGA
Date sent: 3-MAR-1997 00:07:16
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