Stainless Steel
We set the discipline that applies engineering, physics, engineering mathematics, and materials science principles to design, analyze, manufacture, and maintain mechanical systems.
Stellar Alloys is a major stainless steel supplier and manufacturer known for offering a wide range of stainless steel composition options and stocking high-quality ss material in grades like SS 304/L, SS 316/L, SS 321, duplex, and super duplex steel, including special austenitic stainless variants like 310, 347H, 317L, and 904L. Our stainless steel products include steel pipe, tube and flanges that meet diverse industrial needs.
As a high-volume supplier, we deliver stainless steel at competitive prices, leveraging extensive trading networks and large-scale purchasing to keep stainless steel price and stainless steel price per kg low for customers. Their reputation for reliability, strong mechanical properties, and consistent product quality serves not just traders but also EPC contractors and end users in sectors where stainless steel grades are needed for oil, steam, water, gas, and air flow at a range of pressures and temperatures. Their expertise in annealing stainless steel and other heat treatment processes ensures durable performance, making us a trusted source for ss material with superior stainless steel mechanical properties and stainless steel yield strength.
Stainless Steel Products Range
Stainless Steel Pipe & Tube
What is Stainless Steel?
Stainless steel has been widely used for over a century and consists of iron-based alloys with exceptional corrosion resistance—they do not rust when exposed to water alone. The critical alloying element making steel ‘stainless’ is chromium, while the addition of nickel dramatically increases versatility and enhances performance across applications.
Nickel not only improves corrosion resistance but also makes stainless steel easy to form and weld, enables ductility at low temperatures, and allows use in high-temperature settings. Importantly, nickel-containing stainless steels are non-magnetic, setting them apart from conventional and low-nickel grades. This versatility supports applications in chemical processing, healthcare, and domestic sectors. Nickel-rich stainless steels, particularly types like 304 (8% nickel) and 316 (11% nickel), account for nearly 80% of world stainless steel production. The unique properties result from nickel transforming steel’s crystal structure from ferritic (body-centred cubic) to austenitic (face-centred cubic), typically at nickel levels above 8–10%.
History of Stainless Steel
Steel’s origins go back around 4,000 years to the Iron Age, when iron tools and weapons gradually replaced bronze due to superior strength. Early smiths didn’t fully understand why steel outperformed alternatives. Modern breakthroughs emerged in the 19th and 20th centuries, most notably with Henry Bessemer’s 1856 process introducing oxygen to molten iron, which revolutionized steelmaking by lowering carbon content and boosting quality. U.S. Steel was founded in 1901, signalling the rise of large-scale commercial steel production.
Stainless steel was pioneered by French scientist Leon Gillet in 1904, and later refined by Harry Brearley in 1913, who patented the first martensitic stainless steel for its remarkable corrosion resistance. Originally called “rustless steel,” stainless steel’s shiny look and durability soon impacted diverse industries like transportation, medicine, and much more, modernizing daily life with its exceptional stainless steel material properties.
Types of Stainless Steel Based on Composition
Stainless steel is classified into five main types based on its chemical composition and properties:
- Austenitic Stainless Steel: High in nickel and chromium, these steels offer excellent corrosion resistance and formability. Commonly used grades include 304, 316, 321, 310S, 347H, and 317L, ideal for kitchenware, medical equipment, and piping.
- Ferritic Stainless Steel: Containing less chromium and usually no nickel, ferritic steels have good corrosion resistance but lower ductility. They are often used in automotive exhaust systems due to cost-efficiency, with common grades like 430 and 904L.
- Martensitic Stainless Steel: With high carbon content, these steels provide superior hardness and strength but are more prone to corrosion. Typical applications include knives and cutting tools, with grades such as 410 and 420.
- Duplex Stainless Steel: A mix of austenitic and ferritic, duplex steels combine high strength with improved corrosion resistance, frequently used in pipelines and pressure vessels in the oil and gas industry. Common grades include standard duplex and super duplex.
- Precipitation-Hardening Stainless Steel: These are highly durable, strong alloys used in demanding sectors like aerospace, nuclear, and oil and gas, capable of high yield strengths through heat treatment. Grades include 17-4PH and 15-5PH.
Why SS Composition Matters?
Understanding the composition of stainless steel is essential for determining its properties and best use. The alloying elements and their proportions guide manufacturers in choosing the right type for specific applications.
For example, stainless steels with high chromium and molybdenum content, such as austenitic grades, excel in resisting corrosion in chemical or saltwater environments. Conversely, martensitic stainless steels with higher carbon content offer superior wear resistance and hardness, making them ideal for cutlery or surgical tools. Selecting the appropriate stainless steel alloy composition ensures optimal performance, longevity, and suitability for the intended use.
All Popular Stainless Steel Grades
Steel grades are classified by the SAE grading series, a widely recognized system that categorizes steel based on chemical composition:
- Series 100 Steel: Basic carbon steels.
- Series 200 Steel: Austenitic chromium-nickel-manganese alloys.
- Series 300 Steel: Austenitic chromium-nickel alloys, widely used stainless steels.
- Series 400 Steel: Ferritic and martensitic chromium alloys.
- Series 500 Steel: Heat-resisting chromium alloys.
- Series 600 Steel: Designed for proprietary alloys no longer graded by SAE.
- Series 900 Steel: Austenitic chromium-molybdenum alloys.
Mechanical Properties of Stainless Steel Material
Stainless steel exhibits a broad range of mechanical properties including high tensile strength, excellent toughness, and good ductility. These properties vary by grade and processing method, allowing stainless steel to perform reliably under different pressures, temperatures, and mechanical stresses.
| Mechanical Properties | Metric | English | Comments |
| Hardness, Brinell | 80.0 600 | 80.0 600 | Average value: 251 Grade Count: 563 |
| Hardness, Knoop | 97.0 662 | 97 662 | Average value 301 Grade Count 276 |
| Hardness, Rockwell A | 51.1 58.0 | 51.1 58.0 | Average value: 54.0 Grade Count 8 |
| Hardness, Rockwell B | 37.0 130 | 37 130 | Average value: 86.4 Grade Count 494 |
| Hardness, Rockwell C | 10.0 71.0 | 10.0 71.0 | Average value: 39.3 Grade Count 434 |
| Hardness, Vickers | 82.0 1100 | 82.0 1100 | Average value 294 Grade Count 338 |
| Tensile Strength, Ultimate | 34.5 3100 MPa | 5000 450000 psi | Average value: 941 MPa Grade Count: 1695 |
| Tensile Strength, Yield | 25.0 2500 MPa | 3630 363000 psi | Average value: 669 MPa Grade Count 1606 |
| Elongation at Break | 0.000 160 % | 0.000 160 % | Average value: 26.5 % Grade Count: 1549 |
| Elongation at Yield | 0.000 62.0 % | 0.000 62.0 % | Average value: 22.7 Grade Count 22 |
| Reduction of Area | 0.500 88.0 % | 0.500 88 % | Average value: 49.3 Grade Count: 307 |
| Modulus of Elasticity | 5.50 310 GPa | 798 45000 ksi | Average value 196 GPa Grade Count 1160 |
| Compressive Yield Strength | 262 3000 MPa | 38000 435000 psi | Average value: 1080 MPa Grade Count: 11 |
| Notched Tensile Strength | 710 2230 MPa | 103000 323000 psi | Average value: 1740 MPa Grade Count 30 |
| Bulk Modulus | 166 GPa | 24100 ksi | Average value: 166 GPa Grade Count: 14 |
| Poissons Ratio | 220 0 346 | 220 346 | Average value: 289 Grade Count: 263 |
| Fatigue Strength | 85.0 1070 MPa | 12300 155000 psi | Average value: 435 MPa Grade Count 53 |
| Fracture Toughness | 17 165 MPa-m% | 16.0 150 ksi-in% | Average value 90.9 MPa-m% Grade Count 9 |
| Machinability | 18.0 65.0 % | 18.0 65.0 % | Average value: 31.7 % Grade Count: 126 |
| Shear Modulus | 62. 1 86 GPa | 9000 12600 ksi | Average value 77.6 GPa Grade Count 323 |
| Shear Strength | 74.5 597 MPa | 10800 86600 psi | Average value: 358 MPa Grade Count 5 |
| Izod Impact | 16 3 208 J | 12.0 153 ft-lb | Average value 115 J Grade Count 140 |
| Izod Impact Unnotched | 13.6 149 J | 10.0 110 ft-lb | Average value: 77.8 J Grade Count: 13 |
| Charpy Impact | 0.500 404 J | 0.369 298 ft-lb | Average value 115 J Grade Count 252 |
| Charpy Impact, Unnotched | 7.46 294 J | 5.50 217 ft-lb | Average value: 157 J Grade Count: |
| Charpy Impact, Notched | 83.9 294 J/cm2 | 399 1400 ft-lb/in2 | Average value 175 J/cm2 Grade Count 3 |
| Taber Abrasion, 1000 Cycles | 3.20 30.0 | 3.20 30.0 | Average value: 11.3 Grade Count: 3 |
Stainless Steel Material Chemical Properties
Stainless steel’s chemical properties make it unique and suitable for diverse applications:
- High Oxidation Resistance: Chromium (up to 26%) in stainless steel forms a passive oxide layer on the surface, protecting it from rust and allowing self-healing if damaged, unlike coatings that wear off.
- Biological Inertness: Stainless steel doesn’t react biologically, making it ideal for medical tools, surgical instruments, cutlery, and kitchen appliances.
- Resistance to Acids, Bases, and Organics: Depending on the grade, stainless steel can resist a wide range of acids, bases, and organic compounds, making it suitable for chemical processing storage and handling.
- Resistance to Moisture, Salt, Sulfur, CO2, and Chloride: These properties ensure stainless steel survives harsh environments better than many other metals.
Stainless Steel Yield Strength
Stainless steel’s mechanical properties vary based on grade, balancing strength and ductility. Yield strength compares well with carbon steels, though stainless may show lower elongation. It retains higher strength and stiffness at elevated temperatures (above 300-500°C), outperforming carbon steels.
The tensile strength of stainless steel surpasses that of aluminum, brass, and mild steel. Precipitation hardening and martensitic grades exhibit the highest tensile strength, sometimes double that of common 304 and 316 grades. Duplex stainless steel offers an excellent combination of strength and ductility.
Austenitic grades maintain toughness and strength even at cryogenic temperatures, unlike ferritic, martensitic, and precipitation-hardened types, whose toughness decreases with cold. This versatility supports stainless steel’s wide industrial use across temperature extremes.
Common Stainless Steel Heat Treatment
Heat treatment of stainless steel varies according to the steel grade and intended use. For example, making a stainless steel knife may require these key processes:
- Annealing: Heating stainless steel to a specific temperature, holding it there, then cooling slowly softens the metal, improving machinability and ductility, ideal before extensive forging or shaping.
- Solution Annealing: Heating to dissolve harmful precipitates followed by rapid quenching restores corrosion resistance and enhances strength and ductility, often used after welding.
- Hardening: Heating above the critical temperature, then rapidly cooling transforms the structure to martensite, increasing hardness and strength, though with increased brittleness that can be tempered.
- Precipitation Hardening: For some stainless steels, this involves heating to precipitate intermetallic compounds which increase strength and hardness without making the metal brittle.
- Tempering: Post-hardening heat treatment at lower temperatures to reduce brittleness and improve toughness.
- Stress Relieving: Heating below the critical temperature to reduce internal stresses from fabrication, improving dimensional stability and reducing susceptibility to cracking.
Stainless Steel Melting Point
The melting point of stainless steel ranges between 1,400 and 1,530 degrees Celsius (2,550 to 2,790 degrees Fahrenheit), which is higher than common non-ferrous metals like aluminum and copper. The exact melting temperature depends on the specific composition of the alloy, including varying amounts of iron, chromium, nickel, and other elements. Different stainless steel grades have melting points within this range, influenced by their unique chemical makeup.
| Grade | EN Specification | Melting Point |
| 1.4301 | 301 | 1400-1420°C |
| 1.4305 | 303 | 1400-1420°C |
| 1.4301 | 304 | 1400-1450°C |
| 1.4307 | 304L | 1400-1450°C |
| 1.4845 | 310 | 1400-1450°C |
| 1.4401 | 316 | 1375-1400°C |
| 1.4404 | 316L | 1375-1400°C |
| 1.4541 | 321 | 1400-1425°C |
| 1.4016 | 430 | 1425-1510°C |
Stainless Steel Price Per Kg
For industries requiring specific applications, stainless steel products are available within a varied price range influenced by factors such as alloy grade, composition, and production processes.
| Product Type | Grade | Price Per Kg (INR) |
| Stainless Steel 904L | 904L | 350 – 460 |
| Stainless Steel 2205 Duplex | 2205 Duplex | 300 – 380 |
| Stainless Steel 317L | 317L | 320 – 420 |
| Stainless Steel 310 | 310 | 330 – 450 |
Stainless Steel Applications
Austenitic stainless steels, containing nickel and chromium, are known for their outstanding durability and versatility, making them ideal for a wide array of industries. These alloys are extensively recycled and offer excellent corrosion resistance and ease of maintenance.
Their broad applications include:
- Food and Health Sectors: Preferred for their hygienic surface and ease of cleaning, used in food contact materials, medical devices, and surgical tools.
- Industrial Use: Common in process plants, oil and gas facilities, power generation, pollution control, and pharmaceutical production due to their resistance to harsh chemicals and high temperatures.
- Transportation: Used in automotive, aerospace, trains, and shipping for components requiring strength and corrosion resistance.
- Architecture: Valued for cladding, street furniture, structural elements, and concrete reinforcement because of their aesthetic appeal and resilience.
- Water Treatment: Essential in wastewater, water distribution, plumbing, and desalination plants due to their resistance to moisture, salt, and other corrosive elements.
Stellar Alloys: Your Trusted Stainless Steel Manufacturer & Supplier
Stainless steel is a versatile metal renowned for its exceptional strength, durability across a wide temperature range, sustainability, corrosion resistance, hygienic properties, ease of maintenance, and attractive appearance. These qualities make it highly valued in industries such as construction, aerospace, and architecture/design. As a leading stainless steel supplier & manufacturer, Stellar Alloys works closely with clients to ensure every stainless steel project aligns with specific design, specification, and process requirements. For more details on our sheet metal services or to discuss a bespoke stainless steel project, please contact us.
Frequently Asked Questions About Stainless Steel
Stainless steel is an iron-based alloy containing at least 10.5% chromium, along with nickel, carbon, manganese, molybdenum, and other elements to enhance corrosion resistance and mechanical properties.
The cost of 1 kg of stainless steel generally ranges from ₹170 to ₹510 (approximately $2 to $6). Specialty grades like 316 or duplex stainless steels typically cost higher, depending on market conditions and alloy composition.
There is no “100% stainless steel”; it’s an alloy primarily made of iron and other elements. The term refers to stainless steel’s corrosion-resistant nature due to chromium content, not purity.
The four main stainless steel types are Austenitic, Ferritic, Duplex, and Martensitic, categorized by composition, microstructure, and properties.
Yes, stainless steel can rust under harsh conditions like exposure to chlorides, chemicals, scratches, or poor-quality steel. High-grade stainless steel reduces but does not eliminate rust risk.
