The POSCO Quality

Stainless Steel

Stainless steel is a special steel featuring a splendid surface and good resistance to rust. As a high value-added product, stainless steel can be used for diverse areas without requiring any additional treatment.

POSCO operates an integrated production system that ranges from steel making to hot rolling and cold rolling, producing two million tons of stainless steel products every year. Stainless steel products can be classified into austenitic stainless steel, ferritic stainless steel and martensitic stainless steel according to their alloy components and tissue structure. Their typical applications include car exhaust pipes, kitchen appliances, electronics and construction materials. Emerging applications include eco-friendly sectors, such as EV battery cases and LNG.

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Austenitic Series(300 Series)

This stainless steel is the most widely used of all its kinds. It contains chrome and nickel and features good formability, weldability and anti-corrosion. The most common austenitic stainless steel is Type 304. There are also other notable austenitic stainless steels-Types 316L, 321 and 304J1 to name a few-produced by adding different alloy elements such as Mo, Ti and Cu. Main applications of austenitic stainless steel include kitchen utensils, construction and chemical instruments.

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EV Battery Pack Exhaust System Interior and Exterior Ship Plant & Storage Kitchen Appliances
301/301L

The main chemical composition of Type 301 is 17Cr - 7Ni and Type 301L is 17Cr - 7Ni - LC. This stainless steel contains less Cr and Ni than Type 304 and can have higher strength through hot rolling.

Applications

Its common applications include springs and rolling stock.

304

The main chemical composition of Type 304 is 18Cr - 8Ni. The most extensively used stainless steel featuring good resistance to corrosion and heat among other mechanical properties.

Applications

Major applications include home appliances, construction and kitchen appliances.

304L

The main chemical composition is 18Cr - 9Ni - LC. This stainless steel contains less carbon than 304 and has good resistance to intergranular corrosion.

Applications

Its common applications include industrial machines, chemical facilities and LNG tanks.

304J1

The main chemical composition is 17Cr - 8Ni - 2Cu. This stainless steel has good formability as it contains Cu.

Applications

Its common applications include kitchen sinks, vacuum flasks and deep drawing.

316

The main chemical composition is 18Cr - 12Ni - 2Mo.This stainless steel contains Mo and increased Ni to have good resistance to corrosion. It can also withstand high temperatures

Applications

Its common applications include water pipes, chemical plants and coastal facilities.

316L

The main chemical composition is 18Cr - 12Ni - 2Mo - LC. This stainless steel contains less carbon than 316 and, therefore, has good resistance to intergranular corrosion.

Applications

It is extensively used for applications exposed to sources of corrosion, such as salt and toxic gas.

316LN

The main chemical composition is 18Cr - 11Ni - 2Mo - 0.13N (thick plates). This stainless steel is made by adding nitrogen to 316L steel.

Applications

Its common applications include chemical plants and storage tanks.

321

The main chemical composition is 18Cr - 9Ni - 0.3Ti. This stainless steel is made by adding Ti to 304 steel for better resistance to intergranular corrosion.

Applications

Its common applications include heat exchangers and boiler covers.

XM15J1

The main chemical composition is 19Cr - 13Ni - 3.5Si (cold rolled). This stainless steel contains Si for better resistance to high-temperature salt corrosion and oxidation.

Applications

Its common applications include car exhaust systems, heaters and incinerator components.

310S

The main chemical composition is 22Cr - 20Ni.This stainless steel contains increased Cr and Ni for good resistance to high-temperature oxidation and higher strength at high temperatures.

Applications

It is extensively used in applications requiring good resistance to heat including exhaust systems and heat exchangers.

Ferritic Series(400 Series)

For ferritic steel, chrome is one of its alloy components. This gives the steel low thermal expansion and a good resistance to corrosion. The most common austenitic stainless steel is Type 430. There are also other notable austenitic stainless steels-Types 409L, 430J1L and 444 to name a few-produced by adding different alloy elements such as Ti, Nb and Mo. Its main applications include exhaust systems and home appliances.

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Ferritic Series(400 Series)
430

The main chemical composition is 16Cr - 0.05C. The most commonly used ferritic stainless steel featuring good formability and resistance to oxidation

Applications

Its typical applications include kitchen appliances, utensils and architectural materials.

409L

The main chemical composition is 11Cr - 02Ti - LCN. This stainless steel contains Ti for better weldability and machinability.

Applications

Its common applications include car exhaust systems, heat exchangers and heat resisting wares.

410L

The main chemical composition is 12Cr - LCN.This stainless steel is basically 410 steel, but with a reduced carbon content for better weldability, toughness and machinability.

Applications

Its typical uses include containers and architectural materials.

429EM

The main chemical composition is 14Cr - 1Si - 0.2Ti - LC. This product contains newly added Si, Ti, Mn, Cu and others and reduced C and N for better strength at high temperatures, better resistance to oxidation and improved formability.

Applications

Its typical applications include car exhaust systems and heat resisting wares.

430J1L

The main chemical composition is 19Cr - 0.5Cu - 0.4Nb - LCN. This product is made by adding Cu and Nb to 430 steel for better resistance to corrosion, better formability and weldability as well as improved properties at high temperatures.

Applications

Its common uses include washing tubs, kitchen appliances, home appliances and heat resisting wares.

436L

The main chemical composition is 18Cr - 1Mo - 0.3Ti - LCN. Addition of Mo, Ti and Nb assures good resistance to corrosion, machinability and weldability.

Applications

Its typical uses include car exhaust systems, heat resisting ware and hot water wares.

439

The main chemical composition is 18Cr - 0.4Ti - LCN. This stainless steel contains Ti that can improve resistance to corrosion, machinability and weldability.

Applications

Its typical applications include car exhaust systems and architectural materials.

444

The main chemical composition is 19Cr - 2Mo - 0.3Nb - LCN. This product contains high Cr and Mo that can improve resistance to intergranular corrosion and stress corrosion cracking.

Applications

Its common uses include water tanks and water heating systems.

445NF

The main chemical composition is 21Cr - 0.3Ti - 0.4Cu - Si,Nb. This high Cr content stainless steel has good resistance to corrosion and good formability.

Applications

It is used for wide applications including elevators, utensils and architectural materials.

446M

The main chemical composition is 26Cr - 2Mo - 0.3 (Ti, Nb) - LCN (cold rolling). This product contains high Cr and Mo that can improve resistance to corrosion.

Applications

Its common uses include exterior walls and roofs on coastal areas.

Martensitic Series

Martensitic steel contains 12 percent of chrome. Its higher content of carbon compared to other types of steel can give it greater hardness through quenched heat treatment. Its main applications include cutlery and disc brakes.

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Martensitic Series
410

The main chemical composition is 13Cr - 0.04C. This steel gets hardened when heat-treated. With good machinability and high strength

Applications

It is widely used for mechanical components, blades and many other applications.

410B

The main chemical composition is 12Cr - 0.4Ni. This product can have varied quenched hardness by changing Mn or Ni content from 410.

Applications

Its typical use is motorcycle disc brakes.

420N1

The main chemical composition is 13Cr - 0.1C - 0.1N. This product has higher machinability, higher resistance to corrosion and higher strength than 420J1.

Applications

Its typical use is first class utensil knives.

420J2

The main chemical composition is 13Cr - 0.3C. This stainless steel has a higher quenched hardness than 420J1.

Applications

It is widely used for mechanical parts that require good resistance to abrasion.

Duplex Series

Duplex steel combines austenitic and ferritic steels to provide higher strength and better resistance to corrosion. It is extensively used for industrial purposes including water tanks and desalination installations.

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Plant & Storage
Duplex Series
329LD

The main chemical composition is 20Cr - 2.5Ni - 1.4Mo - N. This is Ni and Mo saving lean duplex steel, featuring good resistance to corrosion and intergranular corrosion.

Applications

Its common applications include mechanical components, knives, etc.

329J3L

The main chemical composition is 22Cr - 5Ni - 3Mo - 0.15N. This product contains many elements that can improve resistance to corrosion, including Cr, Mo and N. Ideal for applications requiring resistance to chloride, SCC, pitting, crevice, abrasion or erosion.

Applications

Its typical uses include desalination facilities, chemical plants and food processing.

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