There are 150 grades of stainless steel and only 15 are commonly used. The alloy is made into sheets, plates, bars and coils. Stainless steel resists corrosion and staining, has an appealing luster and is considered low maintenance. This makes it ideal for home goods such as appliances, cookware and cutlery. Stainless steel resists oxidation and rusting which is ideal for jewelry, firearms and automotive parts. On a larger scale stainless steel is also used in tanker trucks, architecture and industrial machinery. Grade 303 stainless steel is used for applications and machines which require parts to be heavily machined or manufactured.
Stainless steel grade 303 is a modification of grade 302 and 304 stainless steel alloys. Grade 303 is a nonmagnetic, austenitic and is heat resistant. It consists of 18% chromium and 8% nickel stainless steel and the presence of Sulfur makes it ideal for high machinability. The high capacity to be machined makes it ideal for rods bars, sheets and extruded shapes in any size and shape. Grade 303 stainless steel is used for airplanes, bolts, nuts, gears, shafts, screws, valves and electrical components. It is designed to be welded, formed and resist corrosion which increases the applications it can be used for.
303 stainless steel is hardened by cold working, this creates the mirror finish and durable structure. Cold working is not recommended after the original process has been completed. The 303 alloy also resists oxidation when exposed to temperatures up to 760 degree Fahrenheit and displays fair resistance up to 870 degrees Fahrenheit. These are extreme conditions, it is recommended that exposure to these high temperature is limited and stay below 425 degrees Fahrenheit. Sulfur additions to the 303 stainless steel composite help decrease the chance of corrosion. In mild environments, corrosion can still occur and is not suitable for marine environments. If the proper procedures and tools are used it can be welded, fabricated and heat worked for any application.
Stainless steel is 100% percent recyclable, an average stainless steel product contains 60% recyclable material with 40% of that coming from end of life products. Stainless steel is salvaged from old appliances outdated machinery and current manufacturers. The salvaged and by product material is purchased at a lower rate, this is cost effective and environmentally friendly. Stainless steel is a versatile material which can used in new construction, manufacturing, medical field, sculptures, automotive and aerospace industries. Aerotech Alloys is a metal distributor which offers a full line of standard and custom fit stainless steel rods, bars, sheets, tubes and extrusion pieces.
