Today we would like to introduce you to the group of ferritic steels. It is clear that they differ from austenitic steel - we will explain what these differences are and help you make the right material choice. After all, one stainless steel is not the same as another.
We have decided not to give a long, detailed lecture on the individual material groups and their structures, as in a physics or chemistry class. Nevertheless, we cannot avoid covering the composition that is characteristic of ferritic steels. Once you have learned what ferritic steel is primarily used for, we will also tell you how to order made-to-measure products in ferritic steel from us.
What is ferritic steel?
Ferritic steels belong to the chromium steels, which already indicates a particularly high chromium content. Depending on the alloy, it lies between 10.5 and 27%. The nickel content, by contrast, is very low - there are even ferritic steels that contain no nickel at all.
While austenitic steel has a face-centred cubic structure, ferritic steel has a so-called ferrite microstructure - a body-centred cubic crystal structure. It is also characteristic that the material is strongly magnetic.
Which types of ferritic steel are there?
There are various alloys, which can be divided into 5 groups with different properties and compositions.
Group 1
This group has the lowest chromium content and therefore also a low price. If stainless steel is to be inexpensive, the alloys of group 1 are worth a look.
Group 2
The chromium content of this group lies between 16 and 18%. These are the most common alloys on the market. The higher chromium content compared with group 1 improves the corrosion properties. Typical applications are washing machine drums and stainless steel kitchen sinks.
Group 3
If you are looking for ferritic steel with good welding characteristics, group 3 is the choice. The chromium content lies between 17.5 and 18.5%, and formability is also remarkable.
Group 4
Thanks to the addition of molybdenum, ferritic steel of group 4 is particularly corrosion-resistant. These steels are used where the environment is especially challenging for the material - for example outdoors or in the manufacture of hot water tanks.
Group 5
A particularly high chromium content combined with the addition of molybdenum produces an exceptionally rustproof steel. The corrosion resistance is so good that this group can certainly be compared with titanium-stabilised steel.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of ferritic steel?
To help you decide whether ferritic or austenitic steel is the right choice for you, let us look at the advantages and disadvantages of these steel types.
Advantages
- Usually less expensive than austenitic steel.
- Particularly high resistance to stress corrosion.
- Generally good welding characteristics.
- Cold forming is possible.
Disadvantages
- Hardening by heat treatment is not possible.
- Ferritic steel is magnetic.
Where is ferritic steel used?
There are numerous uses for products made of ferritic steel - above all because it is a stainless steel. The beverage and food industries are particularly fond of ferritic steel. This is because stainless steels with a particularly high chromium content are very easy to clean, which matters in both sectors.
Wherever compliance with hygiene regulations is essential, ferritic steel is a good choice. Because it offers a cost advantage over austenitic steels, more and more sectors are trying to replace individual components with it - the automotive industry, for example.
There is, however, one restriction on its use: due to its strong magnetisation, ferritic steel cannot be used wherever magnetic components are unacceptable.
A material for great challenges
We think it has become clear that ferritic steel is not a standard product to be used without thought - the mere fact that ferritic steels comprise 5 groups with different compositions and properties speaks for itself.
This is also why you cannot simply buy this material at the nearest DIY store. Your first port of call is therefore the specialist trade - or you can turn to a professional on the internet who can offer you a wide selection. And this is where we come in. What is more, at ESC Burg we produce exclusively to customer order and can offer you various services around stainless steel.
We use professional machines, most of them computer-aided. This gives us optimum results and allows us to cut even complex shapes from a sheet. In forming, we offer bends that are always absolutely uniform. Our surface treatment team can apply a foil protection or a ground finish to your wishes, so that the sheet also meets your visual standards.
We advise you without obligation
Because we want to be certain that you have selected the right sheet for your project, you can only order from us after personal advice - completely free of charge and non-binding, of course. It is important to us to support you with our knowledge and experience.
You will learn the individually calculated price for sheets to your specifications in the very first conversation. If we can win you over, your order goes straight into production. Thanks to lean processes and the greatest possible automation, we can dispatch almost all customer orders within 48 hours. Incidentally, we have quite deliberately decided to accept not only large industrial orders but also smaller orders from private individuals.
Conclusion
Ferritic steel is made for special challenges and is above all very attractively priced. If you have decided to use sheets of ferritic steel for your project, we would be delighted to prepare a quotation for you.
If the fact that ferritic steels are magnetic is no problem for you and you can do without hardening the workpieces, you have found the right material. From us, you receive sheets to your specifications within a few days. We work to millimetre precision and can assure you of safe transport right to your door.
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