STAINLESS STEEL - (SUS)
Stainless steel is an alloy steel containing chromium, produced by special steelmaking technology (AOD/VOD), has mechanical strength, is rust-resistant and is widely used in life and industry.
The production process usually includes the following main steps:
1. Melting raw materials
- Main raw materials: iron ore, scrap steel, Cr, Ni, Mo...
- Melted in an electric arc furnace or induction furnace.
2. Refining and alloying
- Removing impurities (C, S, P) using AOD (Argon Oxygen Decarburization) or VOD (Vacuum Oxygen Decarburization) technology.
- Adding Chromium, Nickel, Molybdenum... to create different grades of stainless steel (304, 316, 201, 430...).
3. Casting - Rolling - Shaping
- Casting into blanks → hot rolling/cold rolling → heat treatment, acid pickling → polishing or surface coating.
4. Quality control
Testing physical and mechanical properties, corrosion resistance, chemical composition.
Comparison of Common Stainless Steel Grades
| SPEC | Main Composition | Key Properties | Typical Applications | Cost |
| SUS 201 | 16–18% Cr, 3,5–5,5% Ni, high Mn | - Good mechanical strength | - Low-cost household items: bowls, spoons, water tanks, tables, chairs | Cheapest |
| - Lower corrosion resistance than 304 | - Interior decoration | |||
| - Susceptible to rust in humid/salty environments | ||||
| SUS 304 | 18–20% Cr, 8–10,5% Ni | - Good corrosion resistance | - Medical equipment, water tanks, kitchenware | Medium |
| - Ductile, easy to weld & fabricate | - Railings, staircases, food industry | |||
| - Durable in humid, mildly chemical environments | ||||
| SUS 316 | 16–18% Cr, 10–14% Ni, 2–3% Mo | - Excellent corrosion resistance (especially in marine/chemical environments) | - Chemical, petroleum, and marine industries | High |
| - High resistance to heat and acids | - High-grade medical instruments | |||
| SUS 430 | 16–18% Cr, No Ni | - Magnetic (attracted by magnets) | - Interior decoration, home appliances | Low – Medium |
| - High hardness, shiny surface | - Panels, machine casings | |||
| - Lower corrosion resistance than 304, prone to tarnishing |
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS:
SPEC | STANDARD | SPEC CD | THICKNESS(mm) |
Inox (SUS) | JIS G4304 | SUS304 - 2B | 0,4~2,5 mm |
|
| SUS304 - BA | 0,4~2,5 mm |
| JIS G4305 | SUS430 - 2B | 0,4~2,5 mm |
|
| SUS430 - BA | 0,4~2,5 mm |
|
| SUS201 - BA | 0,4~2,5 mm |
| Gloss | Characteristic | Application |
2D | Dull Glossiness | Easy to polish after stamping, commonly used in many fields |
2B | Bright glossiness (a little brighter than 2D) | A little harder than 2D |
BA | Bright Annealed (mirror-like) | Used in interior decoration, home electrical appliances... |
HL (hair line) | Hair-like surface | Used in exterior decoration, elevator manufacturing... |
SGC is currently supplying SUS304/430-2B/BA… with thickness from 0.4mm~ 2.5mm.
APPLICATION:
its durable, beautiful and rust-proof properties, stainless steel is widely used:
- Construction & architecture: railings, stairs, wall cladding, doors, canopies.
- Home appliances: pots, pans, water tanks, cutlery, tables and chairs, refrigerators.
- Food & medical industry: tanks, production lines, surgical instruments.
- Transportation: car tires, spare parts, machine parts.
- Chemical & energy: pipelines, acid tanks, oil and gas, nuclear power.
