Stainless Steel and CNC Machining

Jan

Stainless steel is an incredibly versatile metal and is often used for CNC (Computer Numerical Control) Machining and CNC turning in the aerospace, automotive and marine industries. Stainless steel is known for its resistance to corrosion and with various alloys and grades of stainless steel available, there are a wide variety of applications and use cases. This article will explain the different types of stainless steel, their mechanical properties and help you to determine the best grade for your project.

There are five general categories of stainless steel with different alloying elements and material structures:

Austenitic Stainless Steel

Ferritic Stainless Steel

Martensitic Stainless Steel

Precipitation Hardened Steel

Duplex Stainless Steel (austenitic-ferritic)

Austenitic steel

Austenitic stainless steels are primarily used for products that require strong corrosion resistance. Domestic, industrial and architectural products often use austenitic stainless steel. These could include:

Nuts and bolts and other fasteners
Food processing equipment