Aisi 316 Stainless Steel Applications
AISI 316 Stainless Steel is a chromium-nickel alloy widely used in various industrial applications. It has a high corrosion resistance in comparison to other stainless steel alternatives. Compared to a host of other stainless steel metals, AISI exhibits superior resistance to atmospheric corrosion and other corrosive conditions. AISI 316 is extensively used in industrial processes where high levels of hygiene are paramount, such as food processing. AISI 316 stainless steel is used to produce ball bearings that can run in dry applications at minimal speeds or run in applications involving liquids.
Properties Of AISI 316 Stainless Steel
AISI 316 has many excellent properties that make it ideal for delicate industrial applications. Its superior resistance to corrosion makes it the most suitable steel for use in ball bearings. Corrosion is the leading cause of failures in bearings, so it makes a lot of economic and practical sense to use this stainless steel in corrosion-prone environments.
AISI 316 bearings can run in liquids. Since they don’t need to be lubricated for certain applications, they are very hygienic and suitable for applications that are hygiene-sensitive, such as food and drug processing.
Also, AISI 316 applications are mostly non-magnetic and highly inert, a property that makes them ideal for processes that require contact surfaces to be sufficiently inert to avoid corrosion and preserve the integrity of the manufactured product, such as food.
Another important quality of AISI 316 stainless steel is that it can be easily washed out and sterilized while preserving all its properties.
Finally, AISI 316 is ideal for use in high heat applications. For instance, AISI 316 stainless steel bearings are usually fitted with a high heat polymer cage and used in high temperature application of up to 1000ºF.
Products Made From AISI 316 Stainless Steel
AISI 316 is used to manufacture a number of metal products, notably ball bearings, piping or tubing, rods, foams, and foils, among others. Most notably, AISI 316 is used to make piping for drinking water supplies. It is also used to make bearings used in food and drug processing applications. Finally, AISI 316 is the material of choice for applications exposed to considerable industrial pollution as well as acid environments.