Nitronic Stainless Steel Supplier
Stainless shapes a distributor of Nitronic stainless Steel. We have the largest selection of Nitronic stainless steel. We stock in many different shapes and sizes in bar, tube, pipe, sheet and plate. Contact us for current price and availability.
Nitronic stainless refers to a family of nitrogen-strengthened stainless steel alloys known for their high strength, excellent corrosion resistance, and good mechanical properties at both high and low temperatures. These alloys are produced by adding nitrogen, which significantly enhances their strength and corrosion resistance without compromising toughness.
When comparing Nitronic stainless steel to other stainless steel alloys, several factors come into play, including strength, corrosion resistance, toughness, and specific application requirements. Here’s a breakdown of how Nitronic alloys compare to some common types of stainless steel:
Strength
Nitronic Alloys: Nitronic steels, especially Nitronic 50 and 60, have higher strength compared to many conventional stainless steels. The addition of nitrogen significantly enhances their yield and tensile strength.
Conventional Stainless Steels: While grades like 304 and 316 are known for good overall performance, they typically don’t match the high strength levels of Nitronic alloys without additional heat treatment or cold working.
Corrosion Resistance
Nitronic Alloys: Nitronic steels, particularly Nitronic 50, offer superior corrosion resistance compared to 304 and 316, especially in marine and chemical environments. Nitronic 60, while not as corrosion-resistant as Nitronic 50, is known for its excellent resistance to wear and galling.
Conventional Stainless Steels: Grades like 316 offer good corrosion resistance in chloride environments, while 304 is more suitable for general corrosion resistance in less harsh environments. Specialty grades like 904L or duplex stainless steels can offer comparable or better corrosion resistance but at a higher cost.
Toughness and Ductility
Nitronic Alloys: These alloys maintain good toughness and ductility even at low temperatures. Nitronic 50, for instance, remains tough and impact-resistant down to cryogenic temperatures.
Conventional Stainless Steels: Austenitic grades like 304 and 316 also maintain good toughness at low temperatures, but they may not match the low-temperature performance of Nitronic alloys.
Wear and Galling Resistance
Nitronic Alloys: Nitronic 60 is specifically designed for wear and galling resistance, making it suitable for applications involving metal-to-metal contact, such as valve stems, fasteners, and pump shafts.
Conventional Stainless Steels: Standard grades like 304 and 316 do not have the same level of wear and galling resistance. For these properties, one would typically have to look at martensitic or precipitation-hardened grades.
Cost and Availability
Nitronic Alloys: These tend to be more expensive due to their enhanced properties and the cost of adding nitrogen. They might also be less readily available compared to more common grades like 304 and 316.
Conventional Stainless Steels: Grades like 304 and 316 are widely available and generally more cost-effective for applications where extreme strength or specialized properties are not required.
Specific Applications
Nitronic Alloys: Ideal for high-performance applications in marine, aerospace, and chemical processing industries where their unique properties provide significant advantages.
Conventional Stainless Steels: Used in a broad range of general applications, including kitchenware, construction, and medical instruments, where the balance of cost, performance, and availability is crucial.
In summary, while conventional stainless steels like 304 and 316 are suitable for many general-purpose applications due to their balance of properties and cost, Nitronic alloys provide enhanced performance in terms of strength, corrosion resistance, and specialized properties like wear resistance, making them suitable for more demanding applications.
Common types of Nitronic stainless steel:
Nitronic 40 (UNS S21900)
- High strength and toughness.
- Good corrosion resistance in marine and chemical environments.
- Commonly used in aerospace and marine applications.
Nitronic 50 (UNS S20910)
- Superior corrosion resistance compared to 316 stainless steel.
- High strength, even in cryogenic conditions.
- Used in marine environments, chemical processing, and oil and gas industries.
Nitronic 60 (UNS S21800)
- Known for its excellent galling resistance.
- Good wear resistance and high strength.
- Used in valve stems, pump shafts, and fasteners.
These alloys are typically used in applications where a combination of high strength, corrosion resistance, and toughness is required. They are commonly used in the aerospace, marine, chemical processing, oil and gas, and automotive industries.