The machinery manufacturing and equipment sector must address load friction and precision machining, where stainless steel's combination of strength and workability proves pivotal. Type 304 stainless steel excels in machinability, making it suitable for general-purpose components such as pump and valve housings and construction machinery brackets. Type 316L stainless steel offers superior resistance to pitting corrosion, rendering it ideal for marine equipment contact parts. 410 martensitic stainless steel, after heat treatment, exhibits excellent wear resistance and durability, making it the preferred choice for shafts and gears. 2205 duplex steel doubles in strength, suitable for demanding conditions like high-pressure valves, extending equipment lifespan by over 30%.The petrochemical industry confronts sulphur- and chlorine-containing media alongside high temperatures and pressures, where corrosion resistance is paramount. Grade 304 stainless steel suits neutral applications like crude oil storage; Grade 316L stainless steel forms a protective molybdenum-based film, resisting hydrogen sulphide corrosion and finding widespread use in refinery heat exchangers and reactors. Under extreme conditions, Grade 2205 duplex steel and Grade 904L super austenitic stainless steel withstand concentrated acids and deep-sea environments, extending equipment lifespans from 1-2 years to 5-8 years while reducing leakage risks.
二、
Petrochemical and Chemical Industries: Withstanding Extreme Conditions Through Corrosion ResistanceThe petrochemical and chemical industries face prolonged exposure to corrosive sulphur- and chlorine-containing media alongside high temperatures and pressures. The corrosion resistance and high-temperature/high-pressure performance of stainless steel thus become critical to ensuring operational safety. The 300 series austenitic stainless steels form the foundational backbone. Type 304 stainless steel is suitable for neutral media applications such as crude oil storage and diesel transportation, offering cost-effectiveness and ease of machining. Type 316L stainless steel, owing to the passivation film formed by its molybdenum content, resists pitting and crevice corrosion induced by hydrogen sulphide and chloride ions. It is extensively employed in heat exchangers, reactors, and sulphur-containing crude oil processing equipment within refining and petrochemical plants.In extreme corrosion environments, 2205 and 2507 duplex steels combine high strength with exceptional corrosion resistance through their dual austenitic-ferritic microstructure, making them suitable for deep-sea oil extraction and flue gas desulphurisation/denitrification systems. 904L super austenitic stainless steel withstands concentrated acid environments, making it suitable for acid treatment equipment. These stainless steels operate within a temperature range of -20°C to 450°C and pressures from atmospheric to 10MPa. Through precise material selection, they significantly reduce equipment leakage risks, extending the service life from 1-2 years for traditional carbon steel equipment to 5-8 years, thereby fortifying safety defences in chemical production.
三、Food and Pharmaceutical Industry: Safeguarding Product Purity Through Hygiene and Safety
The food and pharmaceutical industries prioritise ‘non-toxic compliance and easy-clean corrosion resistance’ as core requirements. Stainless steel must meet stringent standards such as GMP and FDA to prevent contamination and microbial growth. The 300 series austenitic stainless steels dominate due to their chemical stability and hygienic properties: 304 stainless steel is non-toxic and odourless, with surfaces easily polished to a mirror finish of Ra ≤ 0.4μm, eliminating hygienic dead zones. It is widely used in food processing equipment such as dairy mixers and beverage pipelines, offering cost-effectiveness and compatibility with routine cleaning and disinfection. The food and pharmaceutical industries maintain ‘hygienic safety’ as their baseline, requiring stainless steel to comply with GMP and FDA standards. 304 stainless steel is non-toxic and highly polishable (Ra ≤ 0.4μm), suitable for dairy mixers and beverage pipelines; 316L stainless steel offers enhanced corrosion resistance, handling high-salt foods and pharmaceutical disinfectants, used in pharmaceutical reactors. 316Ti stainless steel withstands high temperatures, compatible with 121°C steam sterilisation equipment, ensuring 99.99% product purity and reducing cleaning costs.316L stainless steel enhances corrosion resistance beyond 304, handling high-salt cured foods, acidic juices, and pharmaceutical disinfectants like hydrogen peroxide and alcohol. It is used in pharmaceutical reactors and sterile transfer piping. 316Ti stainless steel, reinforced with titanium for superior high-temperature stability, is suitable for pharmaceutical freeze dryers and food sterilisation autoclaves undergoing 121°C steam sterilisation. These stainless steels exhibit zero heavy metal leaching and withstand repeated acid-alkali cleaning and steam sterilisation cycles. By ensuring 99.99% purity in products like dairy and antibiotics while reducing cleaning and maintenance costs, they form the core foundation for safe production in the food and pharmaceutical sectors.