120301a Flashcards
(195 cards)
What is stainless steel?
Stainless steel is an iron-chromium alloy that is highly resistant to corrosion and oxidation.
When was stainless steel discovered?
The discovery of stainless steel dates back to the early 1900s.
List some applications of stainless steel.
- Cooking utensils
- Cutlery
- Fasteners
- Welding
- Industrial fields
- Processing plants
- Health and sanitation applications
- Pulp and paper industry
- Petrochemical refineries
- Decorative architectural elements
What is the minimum percentage of chromium required to create stainless steel?
10%
What happens when chromium is added to iron in stainless steel?
A silvery, tightly adherent film of chromium oxide forms spontaneously on exposed surfaces.
What is the role of the chromium oxide film in stainless steel?
It provides resistance to corrosion and oxidation.
What occurs if the chromium oxide film is broken?
Oxygen immediately combines with the chromium, and the film re-forms.
What additional elements may be found in some stainless steels to enhance properties?
- Nickel
- Manganese
- Molybdenum
What is the typical carbon content range in most stainless steels?
0.03% to 0.10%
True or False: Stainless steel is resistant to hydrochloric acid.
False
Fill in the blank: Stainless steels are highly resistant to most types of _____ and _____ from hot gases.
corrosion, oxidation
What characteristic allows stainless steel to maintain high strengths at elevated temperatures?
Its composition and structural integrity.
Describe a practical application of stainless steel mentioned in the text.
A temperature sensor made of stainless steel with a flexible lead wire.
What percentage of chromium do many stainless steel alloys contain?
More than 10% chromium.
What does chromium improve in stainless steel?
Corrosion resistance and resistance to oxidation at high temperatures.
What is the effect of chromium on strength at high temperatures?
There is little loss of strength in chromium steels at temperatures up to 482°C (900°F).
What is creep in metals?
The gradual plastic deformation of metals that leads to their ultimate failure.
What effect does nickel have when used as an alloying element?
In excess of about 6%, it increases corrosion resistance slightly and greatly improves mechanical properties.
How does nickel affect strength at low temperatures?
It increases strength at very low temperatures without decreasing toughness.
What is the role of molybdenum in stainless steel?
It increases resistance to pitting type corrosion and improves high temperature strength.
What effect does carbon have in stainless steel?
Increases strength in amounts less than 0.04%; amounts above that cause chromium carbide precipitation.
What does silicon do in stainless steel?
Increases oxidation resistance at high temperatures.
How does thermal conductivity of stainless steel compare to low carbon steels?
Thermal conductivity is lower, making it susceptible to overheating and distortion during welding.
What is the effect of higher thermal expansion in stainless steel?
Leads to increased distortion and higher residual stresses on the welds.