The Role of the Main Elements in Stainless Steel

Metal elements and functions required in the production of stainless steel:

Nickel: Nickel is a very important core element in stainless steel. It can improve the strength and toughness of steel and improve hardenability. When the content is high, some physical properties of steel and alloy can be significantly changed, and the corrosion resistance of steel is improved.
Manganese: It can improve the strength of steel, reduce and eliminate the adverse effects of sulfur on it, and improve the hardenability of steel. High alloy steel (high manganese steel) with high manganese content has excellent wear resistance and Other physical properties.
Chromium: It can improve the hardenability and wear resistance of steel, and can improve the corrosion resistance and oxidation resistance of steel.
Vanadium: It can refine the grain structure of steel and increase the strength, toughness and wear resistance of steel. When it melts into austenite at high temperature, it can increase the hardenability of steel; conversely, when it exists in the form of carbide, it will reduce its hardenability.

Molybdenum: It can significantly improve the hardenability and heat resistance of steel, prevent tempering brittleness, and improve remanence.

Titanium: It can refine the grain structure of steel and increase the strength and toughness of steel. In stainless steel, titanium can eliminate or reduce the intergranular corrosion of steel.

Copper: Its outstanding effect is to improve the atmospheric corrosion resistance of ordinary low alloy steel, which is more significant when used with phosphorus.