Skirt and dressA skirt is a tube- or cone-shaped garment which hangs from the waist and covers all or part of the legs. Unlike trousers, a skirt is "unbifurcated" — that is, not divided into separate legs. A dress (also frock, gown) is a garment consisting of a skirt with an attached bodice or with a matching bodice giving the effect of a one-piece garment. Jean Auguste Dominique Ingres depicts the Countesse d'Haussonville, wearing a dress.In Western culture, skirts and dresses are usually considered women's clothing. However, there are exceptions. The kilt is considered a traditional men's garment in Scotland, and is growing in fashion in other parts of the world.[1] Additionally, garments which are identified as skirts are being proposed as men's clothing by some of the trendier fashion houses such as Jean-Paul Gaultier. [2] At its simplest, a skirt can be a draped garment made out of a single piece of material (such as sarongs or pareos), but most skirts are fitted to the body at the waist and fuller below, with the fullness introduced by means of darts, gores, pleats, or panels. Modern skirts and dresses are usually made of light to mid-weight fabrics, such as denim, jersey, worsted, or poplin. Skirts and dresses of thin or clingy fabrics are worn with slips to make the material of the skirt drape better. The hemline of skirts and dresses can be as high as the upper thigh or as low as the ground, depending on the whims of fashion and the modesty or personal taste of the wearer. Some medieval upper-class women wore skirts over 3 metres in diameter at the bottom. At the other extreme, the miniskirts of the 1960s were minimal garments that may barely cover the underwear when seated. Dresses and skirts in the 19th centuryDuring the nineteenth century, the cut of women's dresses in western culture varied more widely than in any other century. Waistlines started just below the bust and gradually sank to the natural waist. Skirts started fairly narrow and increased dramatically to the hoopskirt and crinoline-supported styles of the 1860s; then fullness was draped and drawn to the back by means of bustles. Dresses were generally one-piece garments from 1800 through the 1840s; after that it became common for a dress to be made as a separate skirt and bodice, and many dresses had a "day" bodice with a high neckline and long sleeves, and an "evening" bodice with a low neckline (decollete) and very short sleeves. Throughout this period, the length of fashionable dresses varied only slightly, between ankle-length and floor-sweeping. Dresses and skirts in the 20th and 21st centuriesDress of the mid-1920s: Ad by René Lelong.Beginning around 1915, hemlines for daytime dresses left the floor for good. For the next fifty years, fashionable skirts became short (1920s), then long (1930s), then shorter (the War Years with their restrictions on fabric), then long (the New Look), then shortest of all during the 1960s, when skirts became as short as possible while avoiding exposure of underwear, which is considered taboo. Since the 1970s and the rise of pants as an option for all but the most formal of occasions, no one skirt length has dominated fashion for long, with short and ankle-length styles often appearing side-by-side in fashion magazines and catalogs. Styles of dresses and skirts of the twentieth and twenty-first centuries include: DressesBasic shapes:
Fads and fashions:
SkirtsBasic shapes:
Fads and fashions:
How skirts and dresses are worn todayIn Europe and America skirts and dresses can be worn by females of all ages when they are not wearing pants. A skirt may be worn as part of a suit. Skirts or dresses are the garments of choice for many women in formal situations, such as weddings and geopolitical summits. In cold climates, girls and women may wear trousers for warmth, with dresses on top to mark their femininity. In traditional societies, such as in many countries in Africa, the Middle East and Central and South America, it is considered inappropriate for girls and women to wear trousers rather than a skirt or dress. A disadvantage of skirts and dresses that contributes to many girls and women preferring trousers and shorts is that they may be either too long and therefore limit freedom of movement such as when climbing ladders, or too short, in which case one, because of modesty will need to take the trouble when sitting down, such as crossing legs, to avoid exposure of the underwear. Dresses however can be cooler and less confining than many trouser styles, and they are still very popular for special occasions such as proms or weddings. Men in skirtsSkirts, dresses, and their like are still considered primarily women's garments in many parts of the world, and the wearing of them by men is sometimes considered cross-dressing. Exceptions include:
There are two recent movements to legitimize the wearing of unbifurcated garments by men in Western society. One is an effort by companies such as Utilikilt to sell and promote a line of "masculine" unbifurcated garments. They are called kilts, but have several differences from the traditional Scottish kilt. The other is an effort by certain fashion houses such as Jean-Paul Gaultier to increase public awareness that unbifurcated garments such as skirts and dresses are only recently and only regionally considered solely a women's garment. Their main exhibition was the Bravehearts: Men in Skirts exhibit (Nov 2003 to Feb 2004) at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City.[3] UnderwearSkirts and dresses are, like other outer clothing, usually worn with underwear. Wearing no underwear may have a sexual connotation, playing with the boundaries of modesty, motivated by mild exhibitionism. Also, often the kilt is worn without underwear; the uniforms of several Scottish military regiments mandate wearing no underwear with the kilt except at specified occasions. This page about Skirt includes information from a Wikipedia article. Additional articles about Skirt News stories about Skirt External links for Skirt Videos for Skirt Wikis about Skirt Discussion Groups about Skirt Blogs about Skirt Images of Skirt |
|
Also, often the kilt is worn without underwear; the uniforms of several Scottish military regiments mandate wearing no underwear with the kilt except at specified occasions. The work of Giusseppe Lund illustrates this well. Wearing no underwear may have a sexual connotation, playing with the boundaries of modesty, motivated by mild exhibitionism. In recent years the forging of stainless steel has given rise to a fresh approach to architectural blacksmithing. Skirts and dresses are, like other outer clothing, usually worn with underwear. Owing to the durability of the material many of these buildings still retain their original and spectacular appearance. Their main exhibition was the Bravehearts: Men in Skirts exhibit (Nov 2003 to Feb 2004) at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City.[3]. Diners and fast food restaurants feature large ornamental panels, stainless fixtures and furniture. The other is an effort by certain fashion houses such as Jean-Paul Gaultier to increase public awareness that unbifurcated garments such as skirts and dresses are only recently and only regionally considered solely a women's garment. The most famous example of this is the upper portion of the Chrysler Building (illustrated above). They are called kilts, but have several differences from the traditional Scottish kilt. Stainless steel was particularly in vogue during the art deco period. One is an effort by companies such as Utilikilt to sell and promote a line of "masculine" unbifurcated garments. However, similar industrial developments were taking place contemporaneously at the Krupp Iron Works in Germany, where Eduard Maurer and Benno Strauss were developing an austenitic alloy (21% chromium, 7% nickel), and in the United States, where Christian Dantsizen and Frederick Becket were industrializing ferritic stainless. There are two recent movements to legitimize the wearing of unbifurcated garments by men in Western society. In 1913, while seeking an erosion-resistant alloy for gun barrels, he discovered and subsequently industrialized a martensitic stainless steel alloy. Exceptions include:. Harry Brearley of the Brown-Firth research laboratory in Sheffield, England is most commonly credited as the "inventor" of stainless steel. Skirts, dresses, and their like are still considered primarily women's garments in many parts of the world, and the wearing of them by men is sometimes considered cross-dressing. In 1911, Philip Monnartz of Germany reported on the relationship between the chromium content and corrosion resistance of these alloys. Dresses however can be cooler and less confining than many trouser styles, and they are still very popular for special occasions such as proms or weddings. In the years 1904–1911, several researchers, particularly Leon Guillet of France, prepared alloys that would today be considered stainless steel. A disadvantage of skirts and dresses that contributes to many girls and women preferring trousers and shorts is that they may be either too long and therefore limit freedom of movement such as when climbing ladders, or too short, in which case one, because of modesty will need to take the trouble when sitting down, such as crossing legs, to avoid exposure of the underwear. This situation changed in the late 1890s, when Hans Goldschmidt of Germany developed an aluminothermic (thermite) process for producing carbon-free chromium. In traditional societies, such as in many countries in Africa, the Middle East and Central and South America, it is considered inappropriate for girls and women to wear trousers rather than a skirt or dress. However, the metallurgists of the 19th century were unable to produce the combination of low carbon and high chromium found in most modern stainless steels, and the high-chromium alloys they could produce were too brittle to be of practical interest. In cold climates, girls and women may wear trousers for warmth, with dresses on top to mark their femininity. The corrosion resistance of iron-chromium alloys was first recognized in 1821 by the French metallurgist Pierre Berthier, who noted their resistance against attack by some acids and suggested their use in cutlery. Skirts or dresses are the garments of choice for many women in formal situations, such as weddings and geopolitical summits. However, unlike stainless steel, these artifacts owe their durability not to chromium, but to their high phosphorus content, which together with favorable local weather conditions promotes the formation of a solid protective passivation layer of iron oxides and phosphates, rather than the non-protective, cracked rust layer that develops on most ironwork. A skirt may be worn as part of a suit. A famous (and very large) example is the Iron Pillar of Delhi, erected by order of Kumara Gupta I around the year AD 400. In Europe and America skirts and dresses can be worn by females of all ages when they are not wearing pants. A few corrosion-resistant iron artifacts survive from antiquity. Fads and fashions:. A final finish can then be applied to achieve the desired aesthetic appearance. Basic shapes:. Any oxidation that forms on the surface (scale) is removed by pickling, and the passivation layer is created on the surface. Fads and fashions:. Steel is first rolled to size and thickness and then annealed to change the properties of the final material. Basic shapes:. Standard mill finishes can be applied to flat rolled stainless steel directly by the rollers and by mechanical abrasives. Styles of dresses and skirts of the twentieth and twenty-first centuries include:. The AISI defines the following grades among others:. Since the 1970s and the rise of pants as an option for all but the most formal of occasions, no one skirt length has dominated fashion for long, with short and ankle-length styles often appearing side-by-side in fashion magazines and catalogs. Stainless steels are also classified by their crystalline structure:. For the next fifty years, fashionable skirts became short (1920s), then long (1930s), then shorter (the War Years with their restrictions on fabric), then long (the New Look), then shortest of all during the 1960s, when skirts became as short as possible while avoiding exposure of underwear, which is considered taboo. Manganese preserves an austenitic structure in the steel as does nickel, but at a lower cost. Beginning around 1915, hemlines for daytime dresses left the floor for good. Significant quantities of manganese have been used in many stainless steel compositions. Throughout this period, the length of fashionable dresses varied only slightly, between ankle-length and floor-sweeping. When subjected to adequate heat treatment these steels are used as razor blades, cutlery, tools etc. Dresses were generally one-piece garments from 1800 through the 1840s; after that it became common for a dress to be made as a separate skirt and bodice, and many dresses had a "day" bodice with a high neckline and long sleeves, and an "evening" bodice with a low neckline (decollete) and very short sleeves. For higher hardness and strength, carbon is added. Skirts started fairly narrow and increased dramatically to the hoopskirt and crinoline-supported styles of the 1860s; then fullness was draped and drawn to the back by means of bustles. This crystal structure makes such steels non-magnetic and less brittle at low temperatures. Waistlines started just below the bust and gradually sank to the natural waist. There are different types of stainless steels: when nickel, for instance is added the austenite structure of iron is stabilized. During the nineteenth century, the cut of women's dresses in western culture varied more widely than in any other century. See also Stainless steel - corrosion resistance. . Particles of carbon steel can be removed from a contaminated part by passivation with dilute nitric acid, or by pickling with a mixture of hydrofluoric acid and nitric acid. At the other extreme, the miniskirts of the 1960s were minimal garments that may barely cover the underwear when seated. Some workshops therefore have separate areas and separate sets of tools for handling carbon steel and stainless steel, and care has to be exercised to prevent direct contact between stainless steel parts and carbon steel storage racks. Some medieval upper-class women wore skirts over 3 metres in diameter at the bottom. The particle forms a galvanic cell, and quickly corrodes away, but may leave a pit in the stainless steel from which pitting corrosion may rapidly progress. The hemline of skirts and dresses can be as high as the upper thigh or as low as the ground, depending on the whims of fashion and the modesty or personal taste of the wearer. Carbon steel is a very common contaminant here, coming from nearby grinding of carbon steel or use of tools contaminated with carbon steel particles. Skirts and dresses of thin or clingy fabrics are worn with slips to make the material of the skirt drape better. Contact corrosion is a combination of galvanic corrosion and crevice corrosion, occurring where small particles of suitable foreign material are embedded to the stainless steel. Modern skirts and dresses are usually made of light to mid-weight fabrics, such as denim, jersey, worsted, or poplin. stainless-steel bolts in an aluminum block won't cause corrosion, but aluminum rivets on stainless steel sheet would rapidly corrode. At its simplest, a skirt can be a draped garment made out of a single piece of material (such as sarongs or pareos), but most skirts are fitted to the body at the waist and fuller below, with the fullness introduced by means of darts, gores, pleats, or panels. by using rubber or plastic sleeves or washers, keeping the parts dry so there is no electrolyte to form the cell, or keeping the size of the less-noble material significantly larger than the more noble ones (eg. [2]. This effect can be prevented by electrical insulation of the materials, eg. The kilt is considered a traditional men's garment in Scotland, and is growing in fashion in other parts of the world.[1] Additionally, garments which are identified as skirts are being proposed as men's clothing by some of the trendier fashion houses such as Jean-Paul Gaultier. The resulting electrochemical potential then leads to formation of an electric current that leads to electrolytic dissolving of the less noble material. However, there are exceptions. Galvanic corrosion occurs when a galvanic cell is formed between two dissimilar metals. In Western culture, skirts and dresses are usually considered women's clothing. Rising temperature increases the influence of chloride ions, but decreases the effect of sulfide, due to its increased mobility through the lattice; the most critical temperature range for sulphide stress cracking is between 60-100 °C. A dress (also frock, gown) is a garment consisting of a skirt with an attached bodice or with a matching bodice giving the effect of a one-piece garment. Very high levels of hydrogen sulfide apparently inhibit the corrosion. Unlike trousers, a skirt is "unbifurcated" — that is, not divided into separate legs. It is influenced by the tensile stress and is worsened in the presence of chloride ions. A skirt is a tube- or cone-shaped garment which hangs from the waist and covers all or part of the legs. sour gas. The pareu, a dress worn by both men and women in Tahiti. Sulphide stress cracking is an important failure mode in the oil industry, where the steel comes into contact with liquids or gases with considerable hydrogen sulfide content, eg. The foustanella is worn by men in Greece and Albania. Stress corrosion cracking applies only to austenitic stainless steels and depends on the nickel content. The thobe is commonly worn by men in Arabia. This limits the usefulness of stainless steel for containing water with higher than few ppm content of chlorides at temperatures above 50 °C. The djellaba is worn by men in Morocco and other parts of Africa. cold working); the residual stresses can be relieved by annealing. The kaftan is worn by men in the eastern Mediterranean. The stresses can result of the service loads, or can be caused by the type of assembly or residual stresses from fabrication (eg. Throughout most of Southeast Asia and the Pacific Islands, sarongs are worn by both men and women. It forms when the material is subjected to tensile stress and some kinds of corrosive environments, especially chloride-rich environments (sea water) at higher temperatures. The Scottish kilt. Stress corrosion cracking is a rapid and severe form of stainless steel corrosion. Trouser skirt, a straight skirt with the part above the hips tailored like men's trousers, with belt loops, pockets, and fly front. The mechanism of crevice corrosion is similar to pitting corrosion, though it happens at lower temperatures. Sarong, a square of fabric wrapped around the body and tied on one hip to make a skirt; worn as a skirt or as a cover-up over a bathing suit in tropical climates. Such crevices may promote corrosion, if their size allows penetration of the corroding agent but not its free movement. Broomstick skirt, a skirt with many crumpled pleats formed by compressing and twisting the garment while wet (1980s and on). under gaskets, in sharp corners, or in incomplete welds. Maxiskirt, a midcalf-length skirt (1970s). This wear can also depend on the mechanical construction of the parts, eg. Miniskirt, a thigh-length skirt, and micromini, an extremely short version (1960s). In the presence of reducing acids or exposition to reducing atmosphere, the passivation layer protecting steel from corrosion can break down. Though traditionally designed as women's wear, it is fashioned to mimic somewhat closely the general appearance of a (man's) kilt, including the usage of a plaid pattern more or less closely resembling those of recognized tartan patterns of Scotland. Light-gauge steel also does not tend to display this behavior, as the cooling after welding is too fast to cause effective carbide formation. Kilt-skirt, a wrap-around skirt with overlapping aprons in front and pleated around the back. Use of extra-low carbon steels is another method and modern steel production usually ensures a carbon content of <0.03% at which level intergranular corrosion is not a problem. Prairie skirt, a flared skirt with one or more flounces or tiers (1970s and on). Addition of titanium, niobium and/or tantalum serves this purpose; titanium carbide, niobium carbide and tantalum carbide form preferentially to chromium carbide, protecting the grains from chromium depletion. Dirndl, a skirt made of a straight length of fabric gathered at the waist. It is also possible to stabilize the steel to avoid this effect and make it welding-friendly. Poodle skirt, a circle or near-circle skirt with an appliqued poodle or other decoration (1950s). This process dissolves the carbide particles, then keeps them in solution. Hobble skirt, a fashion of the early 20th century, with fullness at the hips narrowing to the ankles. It is possible to reclaim sensitized steel by heating it to above 1000 °C and holding at this temperature for a given period of time dependent on the mass of the piece, followed by quenching it in water. Circle skirt, a skirt cut in sections to make one or more circles with a hole for the waist, so the skirt is very full but hangs smoothly from the waist without darts, pleats, or gathers. Steels with carbon content 0.06% undergo sensitization in about 2 minutes, while steels with carbon content under 0.02% are not sensitive to it. Pleated skirt, a skirt with fullness reduced to fit the waist by means of regular pleats ('plaits') or folds, which can be stitched flat to hip-level or free-hanging. Steel in such condition is called sensitized. A-line skirt, a skirt with a slight flare, roughly in the shape of a capital letter A. When heated to around 700 °C, chromium carbide forms at the intergranular boundaries, depleting the grain edges of chromium, impairing their corrosion resistance. Full skirt, a skirt with fullness gathered into the waistband. Some compositions of stainless steel are prone to intergranular corrosion when exposed to certain environments. Straight skirt, a tailored skirt hanging straight from the hips and fitted from the waist to the hips by means of darts or a yoke; may have a kick-pleat for ease of walking. This is a largely historical problem related to the high carbon contents of steels from the past, for modern steels it is vary rarely an issue. Granny gown, an ankle-length, often ruffled, day dress of printed calico, cut like a Victorian nightgown, popularized by designer Laura Ashley (late 1960s-1970s). See Corrosion Doctors on Rouging. Cocktail dress, a semiformal party dress of the current street length (1950s and sporadically popular since). This tends to happen when the stainless has had carbon steel forced into its surface, as by being dragged over carbon steel during installation, brushing with carbon steel, grinding with a contaminated wheel, or temporary welds to carbon steel. Kitty Foyle, a dark-colored dress with contrasting (usually white) collar and cuffs (1940s, after a dress worn by Ginger Rogers in the movie of the same name). Stainless steel can actually rust quite rapidly if it fails to form its protective oxide layer. Ball gown, a long dress with a full, sweeping, or trained skirt for dancing. Modern steel making technologies largely avoid these problems by controlling the carbon content of stainless steels to <0.3% and historically such grades were referred to as "L" grades such as 316L; in practice most stainless steels are now produced at these low carbon contents. Evening gown or formal, a long dress for formal occasions. This zone is very near the weld, making it even less noticeable[2]. Dinner dress, a semiformal dress worn when fashionable people "dressed for dinner" (men in tuxedos or dinner jackets, even at home). As its name implies, this is limited to a small zone, often only a few micrometres across, which causes it to proceed more rapidly. Tea gown, a frothy, feminine semiformal dress. Special alloys, either with low carbon content or with added carbon "getters" such as titanium and niobium (in types 321 and 347, respectively), can prevent this effect, but the latter require special heat treatment after welding to prevent the similar phenomenon of knifeline attack. Chanel's Little Black Dress (1920s and on). This creates a galvanic couple with the well-protected alloy nearby, which leads to weld decay (corrosion of the grain boundaries near welds) in highly corrosive environments. Tent, a dress flared from above the bust, sometimes with a yoke (1960s). This chemical reaction robs the alloy of chromium in the zone near the grain boundary, making those areas much less resistant to corrosion. Sundress, a sleeveless dress of any shape, with a low neckline in a lightweight fabric, for summer wear. Due to the elevated temperatures of welding or during improper heat treatment, chromium carbides can form in the grain boundaries of stainless steel. Shift, a straight dress with no waist shaping or seam (1960s). Pitting corrosion can occur when stainless steel is subjected to high concentration of chloride ions (for example, sea water) and moderately high temperatures. Sheath, a fitted, often sleeveless dress, sometimes without a waistseam (1960s). Pitting remains among the most common and damaging forms of corrosion in stainless alloys, but it can be prevented by ensuring that the material is exposed to oxygen (for example, by eliminating crevices) and protected from chloride wherever possible. Shirtwaist, a dress with a bodice (waist) like a tailored shirt and an attached straight or full skirt. These problems are especially dangerous because they are difficult to detect before a part or structure fails. In extreme cases, the sharp tips of extremely long and narrow pits can cause stress concentration to the point that otherwise tough alloys can shatter, or a thin film pierced by an invisibly small hole can hide a thumb sized pit from view. While the corrosion pits only nucleate under fairly extreme circumstances, they can continue to grow even when conditions return to normal, since the interior of a pit is naturally deprived of oxygen. Corrosion at these points will be greatly amplified, and can cause corrosion pits of several types, depending upon conditions. In the worst case, almost all of the surface will be protected, but tiny local fluctuations will degrade the oxide film in a few critical points. When deprived of oxygen (or when another species such as chloride competes as an ion), stainless steel lacks the ability to re-form a passivating film. Passivation relies upon the tough layer of oxide described above. Because these modes of corrosion are more exotic and their immediate results are less visible than rust, they often escape notice and cause problems among those who are not familiar with them. Even a high-quality alloy can corrode under certain conditions. In fact, over 50% of new stainless steel is made from remelted scrap metal, rendering it a somewhat eco-friendly material. Stainless steel is 100% recyclable. The famous seven-story pinnacle of the Chrysler Building in New York City is adorned with gleaming stainless steel cladding. The alloy is milled into sheets, plates, bars, wire, and tubing to be used in cookware, cutlery, hardware, surgical instruments, major appliances, industrial equipment, and building material in skyscrapers and large buildings. There are over 150 grades of stainless steel, of which fifteen are most common. Stainless steel's resistance to corrosion and staining, low maintenance, relative inexpense, and familiar luster make it an ideal base material for a host of commercial applications. When disassembled, the welded material may be torn and pitted, an effect that is known as galling. When stainless steel parts such as nuts and bolts are forced together, the oxide layer can be scraped off causing the parts to weld together. This phenomenon is called passivation by materials scientists, and is seen in other metals, such as aluminium. Also, when the surface is scratched this layer quickly reforms. It is, however, impervious to water and air, protecting the metal beneath. The layer is too thin to be visible, meaning the metal stays shiny. The chromium forms a passivation layer of chromium(III) oxide (Cr2O3) when exposed to oxygen. High oxidation resistance in air at ambient temperature is normally achieved with additions of more than 12% (by weight) chromium. Stainless steels have higher resistance to oxidation (rust) and corrosion in many natural and man made environments, however, it is important to select the correct type and grade of stainless steel for the particular application. . In the United States and world-wide, particularly in the aviation industry, this material is also called corrosion resistant steel when it is not detailed exactly to its alloy type and grade. The name originates from the fact that stainless steel stains, corrodes or rusts less easily than ordinary steel. In metallurgy, stainless steel (inox) is defined[1] as a ferrous alloy with a minimum of 10.5% chromium content. ISBN 0-13-359993-0. Jones, Principles and Prevention of Corrosion, 2nd edition, 1996, Prentice Hall, Upper Saddle River, NJ. ^ Denny A. ^ American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI). 8 - mirror finish. No. 7 - reflective finish. No. 6 - matt finish. No. 4 - fine abrasive finish. No. 3 - coarse abrasive finish applied mechanically. No. No, 2BA - Bright Anealed (BA) same as above with highly polished rollers. No, 2B - same as above with additional pass through polished rollers. No, 2D - cold rolled, annealed, pickled and passivated. 1 - Hot rolled, annealed and passivated. No. 0 - Hot Rolled Annealed, thicker plates. No. Type 630—most common PH stainless, better known as 17-4; 17% chromium, 4% nickel. 600 Series—martensitic precipitation hardening alloys
Type 430—decorative, e.g. Also known as "surgical steel". Type 420—"Cutlery Grade" martensitic; similar to the Brearley's original "rustless steel". Type 410—martensitic (high-strength iron/chromium). Type 409—cheapest type; used for automobile exhausts; ferritic (iron/chromium only). Type 408—heat-resistant; poor corrosion resistance; 11% chromium, 8% nickel. 400 Series—ferritic and martensitic alloys
Also known as "marine grade" stainless steel due to its increased ability to resist saltwater corrosion compared to type 304. Type 316—the next most common; for food and surgical stainless steel uses; Alloy addition of molybdenum prevents specific forms of corrosion. Type 304—the most common; the classic 18/8 stainless steel. Type 303—Free machining version of 304 via addition of sulfur. Also hardens rapidly during mechanical working. Type 301—highly ductile, for formed products. 300 Series—austenitic iron-chromium-nickel alloys
They are characterised by high chromium and lower nickel contents than austenitic stainless steels. Duplex steel have improved strength over austenitic stainless steels and also improved resistance to localised corrosion particularly pitting, crevice corrosion and stress corrosion cracking. Duplex stainless steels have a mixed microstructure of austenite and ferrite, the aim being to produce a 50:50 mix although in commercial alloys the mix may be 60:40. It is also known as "series-00" steel. It is quenched and magnetic. Martensitic stainless steel contains chromium (12-14%), molybdenum (0.2-1%), no nickel, and about 0.1-1% carbon (giving it more hardness but making the material a bit more brittle). Martensitic stainless steels are not as corrosion resistant as the other two classes, but are extremely strong and tough as well as highly machineable, and can be hardened by heat treatment. Common ferritic grades include 18Cr-2Mo, 26Cr-1Mo, 29Cr-4Mo, and 29Cr-4Mo-2Ni. Most composition s include molybdenum; some, aluminium or titanium. They contain between 10.5% and 27% chromium and very little nickel, if any. Ferritic stainless steels are highly corrosion resistant, but far less durable than austenitic grades and cannot be hardened by heat treatment. The higher alloy content of "Superaustenitic" steels means they are fearsomely expensive and similar performance can usually be achieved using duplex steels at much lower cost. “Superaustenitic” stainless steels, such as alloy AL-6XN and 254SMO, exhibit great resistance to chloride pitting and crevice corrosion due to high Molybdenum contents (>6%) and nitrogen additions and the higher nickel content ensures better resistance to stress-corrosion cracking over the 300 series. Similarly 18/0 and 18/8 is also available. A typical composition is 18% chromium and 10% nickel, commonly known as 18/10 stainless is often used in flatware. They contain a maximum of 0.15% carbon, a minimum of 16% chromium and sufficient nickel and/or manganese to retain an austenitic structure at all temperatures from the cryogenic region to the melting point of the alloy. Austenitic stainless steels comprise over 70% of total stainless steel production. |