Various Material Characteristics, Pros and Cons
Stainless Steel Series
1. Stainless Steel 304
- Characteristics: Offers good corrosion resistance, heat resistance, and workability, being the most common austenitic stainless steel used in a wide range of domestic and light industrial applications.
- Pros: Relatively affordable, easy to process and weld, extensively used in kitchenware and architectural decoration.
- Cons: Less resistant to corrosion in saltwater or chloride environments compared to the 316 series.
2. Stainless Steel 316
- Characteristics: Enhanced with molybdenum addition, improving resistance to chloride ion corrosion, particularly suited for marine environments and chemical exposure.
- Pros: Ideal for marine applications and chemical processing industries, offering longer service life.
- Cons: Higher cost than 304 stainless steel.
3. Stainless Steel 316L
- Characteristics: A low-carbon version of 316, reducing the risk of intergranular corrosion after welding.
- Pros: Improved welding properties, suitable for applications requiring strict corrosion resistance and frequent welding, such as medical equipment and subsea pipelines.
- Cons: Pricier than regular 316 stainless steel.
4. Stainless Steel 2205 (Duplex Stainless Steel)
- Characteristics: Combines properties of austenitic and ferritic stainless steels, offering high strength and excellent resistance to stress corrosion cracking.
- Pros: Suited for high-pressure, highly corrosive environments like oil & gas, chemical processing equipment.
- Cons: More challenging to process and generally more expensive.
Copper Alloys
5. Brass
- Characteristics: Comprised mainly of copper and zinc, it possesses good conductivity and corrosion resistance with an aesthetically pleasing appearance.
- Pros: Easily worked, commonly used for plumbing, valves, and decorative items.
- Cons: Prone to corrosion in saltwater environments and has lower strength and hardness compared to bronze.
6. Bronze
- Characteristics: A copper-tin (and other elements) alloy, characterized by high hardness, wear resistance, and better corrosion resistance than brass.
- Pros: Suitable for bearings, maritime hardware, and sculptures, especially excelling in seawater environments.
- Cons: More costly and harder to machine than brass.
Aluminum Alloys
7. Anodized Aluminum
- Characteristics: Through anodization, a protective layer is formed on the surface of aluminum, enhancing corrosion resistance and allowing coloration.
- Pros: Lightweight, high strength, aesthetically pleasing, widely applied in building facades, aircraft, and electronic device casings.
- Cons: Once scratched, the exposed area is more susceptible to corrosion despite improved overall corrosion resistance.
- Characteristics: A layer of metal (e.g., zinc, nickel) is deposited on the aluminum surface through electroplating, augmenting surface hardness, corrosion resistance, or aesthetic appeal.
- Pros: Provides additional protection and aesthetic enhancements for products requiring high surface quality.
- Cons: The plating process may pose environmental concerns, and it is generally costlier, potentially affecting the inherent ductility of aluminum.