Stainless Steel Types
There are several commercial-grade stainless steels available at the disposal of foundries that provide CNC machining and injection molding services. For manufacturing some of the common stainless products, such plants make use of four main types of stainless steel as listed below.
Knowing exactly which kinds of raw materials to work with in order to manufacture best possible components is both a priority and responsibility of being a global foundry. Most global foundries make use of the below raw materials in the manufacturing of stainless steel components.
Type 303 Stainless Steel
This particular SS is put to use for most of the CNC machining works since they have higher sulfur content and are relatively softer due to that. It is also non-magnetic and does not take heat treatment services of the foundry, so its hardness will not be affected by induced heat, through work hardening or the strengthening of the metal. However, high sulfur content also makes the material relatively less resistant to corrosion than the other Stainless Steel types.
Type 304 Stainless Steel
It has better corrosion resistance as opposed to Type 303. The common material being used in manufacturing Stainless Steel components is also much tougher & harder in comparison. However, its machining work is more complex than the aforementioned SS type used in CNC machining. Yet again, Type 304 makes for a stronger final output.
Type 316L Stainless Steel
This specialty SS features a low percentage carbon content but a higher molybdenum. Its chemical compositions make it much more resistant to exposure of corrosive agents to its surface than Stainless Steel Type 304. Further, since its low in carbon, Type 316L does not carburize or release heavy fumes upon welding it. Since it is resistant to corrosive environs, marine-grade stainless steel is used to manufacture applications used in the Marine industry; such segments would have more exposure to corrosive agents. It is often the material of choice for 3D printing techniques such as selective laser melting.
Type S136 Stainless Steel
As far as purities go, this modified form of Stainless Steel is one of the best ones available as of now. It is used for plastic injection mould tools, especially when molded components should be a plastic lens that is optically clear. It is used in molding such components since the modified SS takes an extremely high polish.