In the process of the choice of materials, corrosion resistance is only one part of the problems. You must make the products can be easily made, and possibly we also need other performance. In a familiar 18/8 grade (304) stainless steel (18% chromium, 8% nickel), nickel make stainless steel has austenite, it enables the stainless steel form easily, and it can be processed into a complex shape. What's more, the welding of thin or thick section is easy, and it can be used from very low temperature to high temperature range without embitterment. 18/8 stainless steel is easy to produce, and it is familiar to the user, so it is widely used. For these reasons, it is probably the most widely used steel in the world.
There are other aspects that may need to be considered. The intensity of austenitic stainless steel becomes higher after deformation. This means that the material after cold working can be used to manufacture lighter structures. It can absorb a large amount of energy under the deformation, which may be useful in the design of vehicle structure. What's more, it can provide protection in the event of a collision.
Appearance is also equally important. Looking around for any modern city, the exterior of nickel austenite stainless steel makes it get popular in building applications and various surfaces processing of interior decoration. There are other types of stainless steel. If the nickel contained in the stainless steel is low or very low, and it also does not contain other stable austenite elements, such as manganese or nitrogen. This stainless steel will have the ferrite. Middle nickel content provides a mixed austenite plus ferrite organization, or called as the dual phase microstructure. Nickel plays an important role in the aspects of deciding the organization and properties of most steel grade.
The correct use of stainless steel can ensure their corrosion resistance. And the stainless steel project will be served for many years. This durability means that it plays a significant role in the development of more sustainable society: For example, it can improve the energy efficiency, reduce pollution, and reduce the use of materials. In addition, the value of all alloy elements (not only nickel) , provides a powerful incentive, at the end of the lifetime of stainless steel products, we can have a recycling, and make them reused in the production of stainless steel. In fact, the utilization rate of recycling of stainless steel is the highest among all materials. The only factor that limited the recycling quantity of stainless steel is that many stainless steel projects are still used after many years later.
Nickel plays a crucial role in providing comprehensive performance, so the stainless steel becomes a kind of material which is used with the fastest growing. In addition, it is one of the most important solutions for the sustainability challenges faced by the world.
