Civil Engineering - Building Materials - Discussion

Stainless steels are steels containing at least 10.5% chromium, less than 1.2% carbon and other alloying elements. Stainless steel's corrosion resistance and mechanical properties can be further enhanced by adding other elements, such as nickel, molybdenum, titanium, niobium, manganese, etc.

Stainless steels are steels containing at least 10.5% chromium, less than 1.2% carbon and other alloying elements.

Chromium is used in stainless steel to make it more corrosion resistant and durable.

Nickel to make it strong and versatile.
18% Chromium.
8%nickel.

Stainless Steel contains 18% chromium &12% nickel & 2% molybdenum.

Stainless steel 304 contains 18% chromium and 8% nickel while 316 contains 16% chromium, 10% nickel and 2% molybdenum. The molybdenum is added to help resist corrosion to chlorides.

Thanks @Piyush.

Q. What does chrome-nickel content mean?

Chrome-Nickel content refers to the percentage of chrome and nickel in the stainless steel. Chrome gives the stainless steel its luster & durability, while the nickel is for the hardness & strength.

18/10 Stainless Steel means it contains 18% Chromium or Chrome and 10% Nickel. A sink with an 18/10 chrome-nickel content is considered to be an excellent grade, due to its corrosive resistance and greater durability.

Q. What is the difference between 18/8 and 18/10 stainless steel?

The first number is the amount of chromium that is contained in the stainless, i.e., 18 is 18% chromium. The second number is the amount of nickel, i.e., 8 stands for 8% nickel. So 18/8 means that this stainless steel contains 18% chromium and 8% nickel. 18/10 is 18% chromium and 10% nickel.

The higher the numbers the more corrosion resistant the material. Both 18/8 and 18/10 contain nickel and are part of the grade family "300 series" stainless. 18/0 means that there is 18% chromium but zero nickel. When there is no nickel the stainless grade family is the "400 series".

400 series are not as corrosion resistant as the 300 series and are magnetic, where the 300 series are non-magnetic and is the grade mainly used for sinks, Food processing equipment, Restaurant food preparation areas etc.

Stainless steel is used where both the properties of steel and resistance to corrosion are required.

Minimum chromium content has to be 10.5 %