2024-11-22
Stainless steel-Why Are Stainless Steel Castings Magnetic?
The terms “austenitic” and “ferritic” refer to the crystalline structures. Austenitic (300 series) stainless steels, which are the most common, have an austenitic crystalline structure and are softer, ductile, and also nonmagnetic. Ferritic stainless steels, such as 430 and CB-30 grades, are harder, less ductile, and magnetic due to their predominately ferrite makeup.Although ASTM grade CF8M and AISI 316 are both austenitic stainless steels, AISI 316 is nonmagnetic because it is essentially austenite. Cast 316 or CF8M is slightly magnetic, however, because it is not entirely austenite and contains from 5 – 20 percent ferrite. By reducing or eliminating the quantity of ferrite in the chemical composition, wrought material manufacturers are able to make an alloy that is easier to roll into sheets or bars. Cast material manufacturers do not have the same requirements and therefore, can use a slightly harder alloy that contains ferrite.