What Is The Difference Between Stainless Steel And Ordinary Steel?

What is the difference between stainless steel and ordinary steel?

Stainless steel is an alloy steel with at least 10.5% chromium added. This addition changes the microstructure of the steel, forming a dense chromium oxide layer called the chromium oxide layer or passivation layer. This layer protects against oxygen, water and other chemicals, thus giving stainless steel the ability to resist corrosion. In addition, stainless steel also contains other elements such as nickel, silver and bowls to provide other special properties and characteristics.

In contrast, ordinary steel is an alloy steel with a higher carbon content and usually does not contain corrosion resistant elements. The main components of ordinary steel are iron and carbon, of which the carbon content is usually between 0.2% and 2.1%. Due to the presence of carbon, there are ferrite and cementite in the microstructure of ordinary steel. The main characteristics of ordinary steel are high strength, high hardness and good plasticity

The difference between stainless steel and ordinary steel is mainly manifested in the following aspects:

1. Corrosion resistance: Stainless steel has good corrosion resistance and can keep the surface smooth and corrosion resistant under the action of oxygen, water and most chemicals. Ordinary steel is easily oxidized, rusted and corroded.

2. Strength and hardness: Ordinary steel is usually stronger than stainless steel, but stainless steel can be obtained with the strength and hardness of ordinary steel by adding the appropriate alloying elements

3. Aesthetics: Stainless steel has good surface finish and aesthetics, so it is widely used in the fields of home decoration, construction and kitchen utensils. Ordinary steel usually requires surface treatment to achieve a similar effect.

4. Application: Due to the corrosion resistance and other characteristics of stainless steel, it is widely used in food processing, medical equipment, chemical equipment, Marine engineering and other fields. Ordinary steel is mainly used in structural construction, automobile manufacturing, machining and other fields.

In summary, there are obvious differences between stainless steel and ordinary steel in corrosion resistance, strength, hardness, aesthetics and application range. The choice of which material to use should be judged according to the specific needs and application environment.