Question

What grade stainless steel is magnetic?

Answer 1

Hint: Not all stainless steels are magnetic. Depending on the composition, there are magnetic and non-magnetic stainless steels. It must fulfil specific characteristics in order to be magnetic. Let's look at what stainless steel is first in order to comprehend it better and its magnetic characteristics.

Complete Step by Step Solution:
Stainless steel:
The element that gives stainless steel its resistance to corrosion is chromium, which is coupled with nickel. Although stainless steel is usually referred to as stainless, it is not truly stainless because normal steel without chromium cannot survive abuse for as long as stainless steel can. Applying chromium to stainless steel through the process of passivation preserves the material's gleaming silver appearance.

Types of stainless steel:
- Stainless steels can be categorised into five groups based on their metallurgical characteristics and microstructures:
- Stainless steels that are austenitic
- Iron-based stainless steels
- Steels made of martensite
- Stainless steels made of duplex
- Steels with precipitation-hardening

What makes stainless steel magnetic?
For steel to be magnetic, iron must be present, and the crystal structure must either be martensitic or ferritic.
- The alloy must contain iron.
- The alloy's crystal structures must be martensitic or ferritic.

Which types of stainless steel are magnetic?
The stainless steel is typically magnetic as follows:
- Stainless steel grades 410, 420, and 440 that are martensitic
- Grades of ferritic stainless steel like 409, 430, and 439
- Stainless steel duplex, such as grade 2205

Note: For many hygienic food handling applications, stainless steel is a common material choice. In addition to withstanding temperatures that would melt plastic, stainless steel's oxide layer also prevents rust from contaminating food. Perhaps most importantly, food-grade stainless steel does not contain any toxins that can leach into food.