Stainless steel is a steel alloy that contains more than 11% chromium. This type of steel has high resistance to corrosion by chemicals (acids, alkalis, salts). Therefore, it solves traditional steel’s corrosion problem and provides excellent resistance to rust and coloring.
There are two main kinds of stainless steel balls:
Martensite grade( hardened stainless steel balls), generally using the martensite process, carbon is added to the material to make it harder and more wear-resistant and corrosion-resistant. They are usually provided under passivation conditions, which adds additional microcoating, making them more durable. Therefore, they are mainly used where hardness, strength and wear resistance are required. These hardened balls are often used as industrial bearings, professional pumps, pens, lighters, and other friction-related situations.
Austenite grade (unhardened stainless steel balls) is widely known as the 300 series. Nickel or copper is added to the material. These materials are often more practical than hardened materials, and they are the most corrosion-resistant of stainless steel. It is recommended to use it in the presence of food. They have good corrosion resistance to water, oil, steam, alcohol, organic chemicals, and oxidant solutions and relative corrosion resistance to sulfate compounds.
