10 Things to Consider When Buying cold rolled stainless steel coils

What factors matter for choosing stainless steel?

Here are the key factors when considering to buy stainless steel coils according to your need:

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Corrosion resistance

For stainless steel products, the installation environment is a key factor.

When choosing stainless steel, we mainly consider the atmospheric conditions, the concentration levels of particular chemicals, and the acid.

If the installation environment is less corrosive, an austenitic stainless steel grade for general purpose is suitable. While, for a highly acidic environment, you need to choose a stainless steel grade like 316, 904L, or .

Heat resistance

The temperature of the environment is also an important factor.

In the furnace environment(900-C), the high temperatures will speed up the corrosion of stainless steel.

Also, it puts extra pressure on stainless steel products.

So, if the temperature is always high, you need the well heat-resistant stainless steel, such as 321 and 253MA.

Cryogenic resistance

Very low temperature is another factor. Austenitic stainless steels are effective at very low temperatures.

They maintain a higher tensile strength at low temperatures than at ambient temperatures.

Despite a slight degrading of toughness, these steels work well in temperatures as low as -161°C.

Magnetic response

Austenitic grades have a low magnetic response.

Those with higher nickel content are not magnetic under any conditions, such as the 316 or 310 grades.

And the ferritic and martensitic stainless steel grades (400 series) are highly permeable.

Moreover, duplex grades like and are also ferromagnetic.

Strength required

Steel strength is an important factor to consider before you choose the grade, but it is a complex one.

Your requirements for stainless steel depending on the purpose and the installation environment.

In some cases, high strength stainless steels, like austenitic and duplex, are suitable. But in some cases, their disadvantages are also obvious and do not meet your requirements.

For example, high strength austenitic steels produced by work hardening are not suitable for welding. It makes the steels soft.

Form of product

Stainless steel products come in many forms, such as sheets, bars, and tubes.

The form will affect the grade you need.

Not all grades have all product forms and sizes. Austenitic stainless steels are very versatile.

You can find products in a wide variety of forms and sizes for different purposes. Ferritic steels generally appear in sheet form. And martensitic steels are common in solid bar form.

Special requirements

When installing stainless steel products, there may be some special requirements.

As a result, you may need to change the grade of steel.

For example, you may want non-magnetic steel, need products that are suitable for welding or products with a high degree of forming. Or simply you just want a good-looking product.

Cost

Cost is always a factor when choosing to buy stainless steel coil.

And you need to balance it with all the other considerations. Sometimes the best technical steel is too expensive.

But please remember to assess the cost on a life cycle basis.

Do not look at the initial price only then overlook the life cycle. Stainless steel products have a long life, so a high cost for high-quality steel is reasonable.

How can you tell good quality stainless steel coil?

As long as the quality is good enough, stainless steel is one of the safest materials.

But remember, the quality matters.

So, how do you know if the stainless steel coil you’ve got is good or not? Try out the below methods.

Use a magnet?

The theory of the “magnet test” is a rumour.

It tells you that you can test the quality of stainless steel with a magnet.

But the fact is that the magnet is to test whether the steel is austenitic, or whether the steel contains chromium and nickel.

There are three main types of structures in stainless steel: austenite, ferrite, and martensite.

When you see stainless steel with 18/8 or 18/10 marks, it tells you the amount of chromium and nickel.

• The first number 18 indicates 18% chromium in the steel.
• The second number 8 or 10 means 8% or 10% nickel in the steel. Nickel is a critical factor for forming austenite stainless steel.

So, both 18/8 and 18/10 are austenitic.

The “magnet test” is useful when you use it in the right way. And it’s easy to do by simply taking a magnet to your stainless steel coil.

If the magnet sticks, the coil is safe because it indicates no nickel in the steel. But if the magnet doesn’t stick, it means the steel contains nickel, so the coil is not safe for food usage.

This test is credible.

The company is the world’s best cold rolled stainless steel coils supplier. We are your one-stop shop for all needs. Our staff are highly-specialized and will help you find the product you need.

If a magnet is to stick to steel, it is not a nickel (austenitic) alloy.

The magnet works in some cases, but not always right.

There is a problem with this theory, however.

First of all, there are no stainless steel pans with magnetic inside and outside. It’s very difficult to find a fully magnetic stainless steel coil on the market.

That’s not surprising. The reason is that austenitic stainless steel which contains nickel is highly resistant to corrosion.

Corrosion resistance is very important to buy stainless steel coil, isn’t it?

If the coil is fully magnetic stainless steel, it would corrode and not last very long. Without nickel, the metal is not stable.

For this reason, it’s not necessary to buy stainless steel coils that are magnetic, nickel-free.

For the cases of cookware

You will find magnetic stainless steel in the outer layer of some quality stainless steel.

It’s to make the coil compatible with induction stovetops in case you need it for cookware. The reason is, induction stovetops use an electromagnetic field to heat the cookware.

So, high-quality stainless steel cookware usually has three layers of metal. The interior is austenite stainless steel. The exterior is ferrite stainless steel. And the middle layer is aluminium.

It’s for good heat conductivity because steel itself does not conduct heat evenly. Stainless steel of poor quality usually has only one austenitic layer.

But there is still a difference in quality between different types of austenitic stainless steel.

Sometimes you will find that austenitic stainless steel is less magnetic. That’s because, during manufacturing, the steel is cold-processed to form ferrite and martensite.

This process makes it easier to corrode and leach.

The formulation of austenitic stainless steel cookware is careful to avoid this. And the result is a very stable austenitic alloy that resists corrosion and leaching of the metal.

So, A carefully-formed, highly-stable, non-corrosive, and nickel-containing stainless steel is safer than a pure magnetic stainless steel.

Pure magnetic stainless steel will break down and corrode over time. And it doesn’t even exist in the market!

To be honest, it’s hard to know whether your stainless steel is of the best quality unless you are a metal expert. Or unless you go to the factory and see how it’s made. Otherwise, you won’t know whether your stainless steel has corrosive materials.

The best choice

Your best choice is to buy high-quality stainless steel from the start, choose a brand with a good reputation for quality, such as WJH premium stainless steel.

But still, there’s another way for you to determine whether the stainless steel coils you’ve got is potentially harmful.

Material tester

Distinguish between 201 stainless steel, 202 stainless steel, and 304 stainless steel

What is all this stuff? They are the types/grades of stainless steel. No worries. We’ll tell you in detail in the following section after this.

Now let’s focus on how to make use of the tester.

Stainless steel coils are widely used in various industrial applications, such as the manufacturing of automotive parts, kitchen appliances, and medical equipment. If you are in the market for a #stainlesssteel #coil, here's a buyer's guide to help you make an informed decision.

1. Determine your application:

The first step in buying a stainless steel coil is to determine your application. Different #grades of #stainlesssteel are suitable for different applications. For example, 304 stainless steel is a general-purpose grade and is suitable for most applications. On the other hand, 316 stainless steel is commonly used in marine environments due to its higher resistance to corrosion.

2. Consider the type of finish:

Stainless steel coils are available in a variety of finishes, such as brushed, polished, and matte. The finish you choose depends on your application and aesthetic preferences. Brushed finishes are commonly used in #kitchenappliances , while polished finishes are suitable for decorative applications. Mirror polishes are widely used for #cookware and #cultery.

3. Check the thickness:

Stainless steel coils come in different #thicknesses, which are measured in gauges. The thickness you need depends on your application. For example, if you are using the coil for automotive parts, you may need a thicker gauge to ensure durability.

4. Check the width and length:

Stainless steel coils come in different #widths and #lengths. The size you need depends on your application. Make sure to measure the area where you will be using the coil to ensure that you get the right size.

5. Determine the quantity you need:

Stainless steel coils are typically sold in bulk. Determine the quantity you need based on your #application and #budget . Some suppliers offer discounts for bulk orders, so make sure to inquire about this.

6. Choose a reputable supplier:

It's essential to choose a #reputable supplier when buying a stainless steel coil. Look for a supplier with a good #reputation for #quality and #customerservice . Ask for references and read online reviews to ensure that you are dealing with a #reliable #supplier.

7. Consider the price:

The price of a stainless steel coil varies depending on the #grade, #finish, #thickness, #width, and #length . Compare prices from different suppliers to ensure that you are getting a #fair #price. However, don't compromise on quality for the sake of a #lower #price.

8. Check the package way:

Stainless steel coils are typically packed and shipped in a way that ensures their protection during transportation and storage. Check with your supplier about the type of package. The following ways are commonly used.

• Wooden Pallets: Stainless steel coils are often packed on wooden pallets that are designed to protect the coils during handling and transportation. The coils are typically placed on the pallets and secured using strapping or shrink wrap.
• Steel Strapping: Stainless steel coils may also be secured using steel strapping, which helps to prevent damage during transportation. The coils are typically wrapped in a layer of protective material, such as paper or plastic, before being strapped to a pallet or bundle.
• Plastic or Cardboard Sleeves: Stainless steel coils may be wrapped in plastic or cardboard sleeves to provide additional protection against scratches, dents, and other types of damage.
• Customized Packaging: Depending on the customer's requirements, stainless steel coils may be packed and shipped in customized packaging, such as shrink-wrapped bundles, wooden crates, or steel drums.

In summary, buying a stainless steel coil requires careful consideration of your application, finish, thickness, width, length, quantity, supplier reputation, and price. By following this buyer's guide, you can make an informed decision and choose the #right stainless steel coil for your needs.

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