0.015 to 0.10% carbon, 16 to 21% chromium, 6 to 26% nickel, 0 to 7% molybdenum. The presence of nickel improves corrosion resistance and makes stainless steel more ductile. The presence of molybdenum further enhances the resistance to corrosion in an acid medium. The most common grades are 304/304L and 316/316L.

Applications
Boiler market, aeronautics, electronic components, railway equipment, tubes, chemical tanks and food vats, marine applications, tanks…

Heat resistant steel applications
Heating systems, resistor jackets, furnace equipment

These are chromium manganese steels, with a low nickel content (always below 5%).

Applications
Asphalt tankers, tubes, food containers, silos, conveyor chains, safety soles…

0.02 to 0.06% carbon, 10.5 to 30% chromium, 0 to 4% molybdenum. Commonly used internally, these grades are now being developed for envelope and structural products.

KARA is the Aperam brand for ferritic stainless steels. Unlike other stainless steels, the KARA range doesn’t contain nickel and is thus immune from the erratic price fluctuations of this alloying element. As a result, prices are more stable over time, giving KARA a strong argument in the construction sector where project cost and economic design are key elements.

Applications
Car exhaust systems, conveyor chains, cooking utensils, boilers domestic electrical appliances, domestic appliances, trim, dishware, heating, hot water tanks, tubes …

0.02% carbon, 0 to 4% molybdenum, 1 to 7% nickel and 21 to 26% chromium. These stainless steels not only offer excellent quality, because of their low nickel content – a material that suffers from highly speculative prices – they are also very cost effective.

Applications
Oil, gas, papermaking pulp, desalination sectors, chemical industry…

0.1% carbon, 10.5 to 17% chromium. Mainly used for tooling, cutting tools and springs.

Applications
Cutlery, cutting tools, construction tools…