Archive: Jan 2022

How To Choose Between Stainless Steel, Carbon Steel, or Fiberglass

There are so many different materials out there when it comes to creating enclosures and other surroundings in your home or business. There are plenty of options and taking the time to figure out what is going to work best for you is essential. When it comes down to materials, stainless steel, fiberglass, and carbon steel are all great options.

Carbon Steel

Carbon steel is one of those materials that are meant for very heavy-duty use. If you are going to be making something that is going to be used and that is going to get a ton of use and wear, carbon steel is a great option. It is also great for outdoor use as it is not going to rust and get damaged by water and weather. If you are building something outside and you need something that is very durable, this is going to be a great material to choose.

Fiberglass

Fiberglass is better for things that are going to require some insulation. Fiberglass is often used for insulating items and for making sure that whatever you are building under or inside of it is going to be protected. Fiberglass can get damaged with heavy wear and tear and it can be damaged if you are too hard on it and too rough with it. It can be hardened with coating and made more durable depending on what you are going to be using it for.

Stainless Steel

Stainless steel is a great all-around material that is going to be useful for a huge range of applications. For things that are going to be outside, things that are going to get very hot, things that are going to get heavy use, this is a great option. Stainless steel is a great material that is going to be very durable and very useful if you want to have something that is going to keep working well for you over time and over a great deal of use.

When deciding what material is going to work for you, it is always best to look at what you are going to do with the material and what application it is going to be used for. This can make a big difference in what is going to be best for you and what is going to work for your overall needs most.

What’s The Difference Between Stainless Steels?

The story of stainless steel seems complicated because there is not only one type of stainless steel. It is, however, easy to understand the types of stainless steel out there in a large industry. In 2016, there were 139,000 sheet metal workers active in the United States, but the number is substantially higher now. If you’re working with your local metal workers to figure out what the best stainless steel option is for your project, consider the following information about the different types of stainless steel.

The Different Types of Stainless Steels

Austenitic, ferritic, duplex, martensitic, and stainless steel alloys hardened by precipitation are the most common. Austenitic is the most extensively used and popular. Austenitic stainless steel is divided into two subgroups: 300 and 200. The primary classes of stainless steel will be discussed in the 300 subcategories since they are the most often used grades

304 Stainless Steel

304 stainless steel is a low-carbon steel that includes at least 18 percent chromium and 8% nickel, earning it the nickname 18/8 stainless steel. This form of stainless steel resists oxidation and corrosion. This resilience makes manufacturing easier and prevents product contamination. When compared to 316 stainless steel, 304 stainless steel is the most flexible, least expensive and common austenitic stainless steel.

303 Stainless Steel

303 stainless steel is a class of 304 stainless with a minimum of 8% nickel, 17% chromium, and 0.15 percent sulfur/selenium. The inclusion of a small amount of sulfur decreases corrosion resistance somewhat while increasing machineability, which is why it’s used in fasteners, bushings, bearings, and other minor components. Due to the needed tolerances, these parts require more precise machining standards. Although 303 stainless steel offers excellent corrosion resistance, 304 stainless is suggested for increased strength.

316 Stainless Steel

A minimum of 10% nickel, 16% chromium, and 2% molybdenum are included in 316 stainless steel. The fundamental difference between 316 and 304 stainless is the presence of much more molybdenum in 316 stainless. The use of this metal improves the corrosion resistance of 316 while also providing great heat resistance up to 1600°F. 316 stainless is a nickel-chromium stainless steel, similar to 304. 316 stainless steel and is recommended in environments with high levels of corrosive substances and/or items that will be put underwater.

Aside from the stainless steel types discussed above, you can also get 317, 321, and 347 types of stainless steel in the 300-class. The 400-class of stainless steel is the cheapest, but less popular.