What is Stainless Steel?

Stainless steel is an alloy steel with excellent corrosion resistance and aesthetic appeal. Its core characteristic is corrosion resistance, which is mainly attributed to the presence of at least 10.5% chromium. It has good toughness and can maintain excellent mechanical properties and oxidation resistance at high temperatures. According to the differences in composition and properties, stainless steel is mainly classified into several categories, such as austenitic, ferritic, martensitic and duplex stainless steel.

What is stainless steel

Stainless Steel CNC Machining Services

Stainless steel, due to its corrosion resistance, high strength, hygiene and processability, has become an important material in industries such as high-precision hardware components, automation equipment, medical devices, automotive parts, semiconductors and food packaging. As a manufacturer specializing in high-precision hardware components, precision automation and mechanical processing, we have a deep understanding of the special requirements for stainless steel materials in different industries.

 

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About materials

About Materials

 

Stainless steel's high tensile strength enables it to stand the test of time in industrial environments, and it also exhibits good fatigue resistance under cyclic loads. The various outstanding properties of stainless steel can easily meet the requirements of specific projects, making it one of the most popular materials for precision machinery.

Corrosion resistance - Inherently resistant to corrosion, suitable for use in damp, high-temperature or chemical environments, ensuring your parts do not rust or get damaged
Hygiene - The surface of stainless steel is smooth, making it less prone to bacterial and dirt accumulation, and easy to clean and disinfect
Machinability - Easy to cut, weld and form, suitable for the processing requirements of various complex hardware parts
Multi-functional mechanical properties - Whether it's high-load mechanical parts or precision components, our stainless steel materials can provide outstanding strength and stability

Durability - Our stainless steel materials are strictly selected and have excellent durability, maintaining a long service life even in harsh environments
Aesthetics - The surface of stainless steel can be treated with polishing, brushing, coloring, etc., to achieve high gloss or special texture effects
Environmental friendliness - Stainless steel can be 100% recycled and reused, reducing resource waste and environmental pollution

 

 

Classification of Stainless Steel Materials

In mechanical design, we often use austenitic stainless steel and martensitic stainless steel because they have excellent physical and mechanical properties.

Austenitic stainless steel: It contains a relatively high amount of nickel (Ni) and chromium (Cr), is usually non-magnetic, and has excellent corrosion resistance, toughness and formability. It has good welding performance and is the most widely used.

 

Material Preponderance Application Area
303 Excellent cutting performance, suitable for mass production, good surface finish Shaft, pin, bushing
Food machinery parts
Conveying equipment component
Medical equipment accessories
Pump valve parts Pipe fittings
304 Strong versatility, low cost Food equipment, environmental protection equipment
304L Low carbon design and excellent weldability Chemical equipment, food processing equipment, medical equipment and welding structures.
316 Molybdenum (Mo) is added to improve corrosion resistance, especially in chloride environments Marine environment, chemical equipment
316L Low carbon version, reduce carbide precipitation, improve intergranular corrosion resistance Production equipment, surgical instruments, automotive exhaust system parts, engine parts
321 Titanium (Ti) is added to stabilize carbides and improve intergranular corrosion resistance High-temperature components: heat exchangers, boiler pipes
Chemical equipment: pickling equipment, nitric acid storage tanks
Welded structures: Welded parts that require stabilization treatment
347 Niobium (Nb) and tantalum (Ta) are added to stabilize carbides and improve intergranular corrosion resistance High-temperature equipment: boiler pipes, gas turbine components, heat exchangers
Chemical equipment: Strong oxidizing acid environment

 

Martensitic stainless steel: It contains a relatively high amount of carbon (C) and chromium (Cr), is magnetic, and can achieve high hardness and strength through heat treatment. However, it has relatively low toughness and average corrosion resistance, making it suitable for applications that require high strength and wear resistance.

 

Material Preponderance Application Area
410 Universal type, good strength, hardness and wear resistance, low corrosion resistance Tools, bearings, valves, pump parts, mechanical parts
420 Higher carbon content provides higher hardness and wear resistance Surgical instruments, knives, scissors, bearings, molds
420F Improved version of 420, adding sulfur (S) to improve machining performance, hardness and wear resistance comparable to 420 High precision mechanical parts, cutting tools
440A High carbon and high chromium martensitic stainless steel with excellent hardness and wear resistance Tools, bearings, surgical instruments, molds
440C Highest carbon content, best hardness and wear resistance High precision tools, bearings, molds, surgical instruments
431 High chromium content, better corrosion resistance than 410 and 420 series High strength mechanical parts, shafts, pump parts
630 Precipitation-hardened martensitic stainless steel with high strength and corrosion resistance Aerospace components, chemical equipment
440F Improved version of the 440C with added sulfur (S) to improve machining performance High precision mechanical parts, cutting tools

 

Mechanical Property Diagram of Stainless Steel

Learning more about the mechanical properties of stainless steel can help you choose materials for your project

 

Stainless steel type Material Performance in Annealed State Quenched and Tempered State Performance in Annealed State Quenched and Tempered State Performance in Annealed State Quenched and Tempered State Performance in Annealed State Quenched and Tempered State
Strength of extension (MPa) Yield Strength (MPa) Ductility (%) Hardness (HB)
Austenitic Stainless Steel 304 (1.4301) 520-750 - 205-310 - 40-60% - Brinell hardness (HB):150-200 -
316 (1.4401) 520-690 - 205-310 - 40-50 - Brinell hardness (HB):150-200 -
321(1.4541) 520-620 - 205-310 - 40-50 - Brinell hardness (HB):150-200 -
347(1.4550) 520-690 - 205-310 - 40-50 - Brinell hardness (HB:150-200 -
Martensitic Stainless Steel 410 (1.4006) 480-600 850-1000 275-350 700-850 20-25% 12-18% Brinell hardness (HB):170-200 Rockwell Hardness (HRC):35-45
440C (1.4125) 600-800 1900-2300 350-450 1700-2100 15-20% 2-5% Brinell hardness (HB):200-250 Rockwell Hardness (HRC):58-62
431(1.4057) 700-900 1000-1350 500-650 800-1100 15-20% 8-12% Brinell hardness (HB):220-260 Rockwell Hardness (HRC):35-50
630(1.4542) 1000-1100 1170-1450 800-900 1170-1310 15-20% 10-12% Brinell hardness (HB):28-32 Rockwell Hardness (HRC):40-45

 

 

Surface Treatment Services For Stainless Steel Parts Processed By CNC

Dahong Precision - Processing can provide perfect surface treatment services for your cnc machined stainless steel parts, including polishing, passivation, PVD, sandblasting, coating and electroplating options.

Each service has its own advantages. You can choose one that meets the requirements of your project!

 

cnc Stainless Steel parts Polishing
Polishing
Polishing makes the surface smooth and beautiful, enhances the wear resistance and corrosion resistance of parts, reduces the coefficient of friction, decreases the adhesion of bacteria, and improves corrosion resistance. The surface Ra is ≤0.1μm. It is applicable to various materials such as metals and plastics.
cnc Stainless Steel parts Passivation
Polishing
Passivation can enhance the corrosion resistance of parts, reduce oxidation, prevent rusting of metal surfaces, and is suitable for easily corroded materials such as stainless steel, thereby extending the service life of parts.
cnc Stainless Steel parts Bead Blasted
Bead Blasted
Sandblasting cleans the surface of parts through high-speed abrasive impact, removes oxide layers and burrs, increases roughness to enhance the adhesion of the coating, evenly treats the surface, improves fatigue resistance, has wide applicability, and can strengthen the surface performance of stainless steel.
cnc Stainless Steel parts Plating
Plating
Electroplating deposits a metal layer on the surface of parts through electrolysis, enhancing their corrosion resistance, wear resistance, electrical conductivity and decorative properties. For instance, nickel plating and PVD surface treatment services have a wide range of applications.
cnc Stainless Steel parts Steel Brushing
Steel Brushing
Wire drawing is a process that forms a uniform linear texture on the surface of parts through mechanical friction. It features scratch resistance, wear resistance, enhanced texture, concealment of fine scratches, and improved anti-fingerprint effect. It is often used for surface treatment of metals such as stainless steel and aluminum, and combines functionality and decoration.

Why Choose Dahong Precision For Custom CNC Machining?

Production on demand

Our production workshop processing services support you from 1 piece to over 1,000 pieces, whether it's small-batch production or large-scale production

Quality Guarantee

As a processing factory specializing in non-standard custom parts for many years, we provide our customers with material certification and inspection reports.

Save your costs

Our one-stop mechanical custom parts workshop features efficient production capacity and cost control.

Material Selection

A selection of over 50 metals and engineering-grade plastics, including PEEK, ABS, PTFE, aluminum, copper, stainless steel and other materials. It is applicable to the application of various mechanical equipment parts.

High precision tolerance

The processing services provided have a tolerance range from +/-0.002MM to 0.005MM, depending on your part specification requirements.

Accelerated delivery

Our processing factory is located in Shenzhen, which enjoys convenient transportation and is close to major shipping ports, ensuring seamless transportation and peace of mind.

 

About Stainless SteelFAQ

 

 

CNC Polyamide (PA) material FAQ

How is the corrosion resistance of stainless steel, especially in specific environments?

Stainless steel has excellent corrosion resistance due to the chromium oxide protective film formed on its surface. This film can effectively prevent further oxidation and self-repair even if the surface is damaged. However, in specific environments, such as high-salt Marine environments, strongly acidic or alkaline media, high-temperature environments containing sulfides, and certain chemical industrial media, the corrosion resistance of stainless steel may be affected. It is necessary to select the appropriate type of stainless steel or take additional protective measures based on the specific environment. Overall, stainless steel can provide good corrosion resistance in most environments, but special considerations may be required under extreme or special conditions.

Does stainless steel need regular maintenance? Is the maintenance cost high?

Stainless steel, due to its excellent corrosion resistance, usually does not require frequent maintenance. Basic cleaning and occasional polishing are sufficient to maintain its performance and appearance. The maintenance cost is relatively low, mainly involving the expenses of cleaning agents and polishing materials, as well as possible labor costs, especially when professional cleaning or repair is required. Overall, the maintenance of stainless steel is both simple and economical, making it a preferred material for long-term investment.

What is the welding performance of stainless steel?

The welding performance of stainless steel is generally good, but it is affected by the type of stainless steel, welding methods and process parameters. Most stainless steels can be effectively welded by conventional welding techniques such as TIG, MIG and laser welding, but it is necessary to pay attention to controlling heat input during the welding process to avoid carbide precipitation and the formation of stress corrosion cracks.

Is stainless steel suitable for manufacturing medical devices?

Stainless steel is suitable for manufacturing medical devices, especially those that come into direct contact with the human body or are used in sterile environments. It is corrosion-resistant, biocompatible, heat-resistant, and can resist erosion by body fluids and disinfectants, reducing the risk of infection. It has high strength and good processing performance, and can be used to manufacture precise and complex instruments, such as surgical instruments, implants and diagnostic equipment. Commonly used low-carbon or ultra-low-carbon types such as 316L and 304L ensure biocompatibility and corrosion resistance. Therefore, stainless steel is an indispensable material for the manufacturing of medical devices.

Which components are stainless steel typically used in automotive manufacturing?

Stainless steel is commonly used in automotive manufacturing for exhaust systems, fuel systems, braking systems, decorative parts and some structural components. Due to its corrosion resistance, high-temperature resistance and high strength, it is suitable for exhaust pipes, mufflers, fuel pipelines, brake wires, calipers, wheels and body trim strips, etc.

 

 

 

Other Materials

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Tough, high tensile strength, solid foundation

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Lightweight, corrosion-resistant, highly conductive

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PVC

Flame retardant, weather resistance, stability suitable for auto parts

PEEK

High temperature resistance, self-lubrication, stable insulation, chemical resistance

 

 

dahong machining

DaHong Machining

 

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