Ferritic stainless steel

Ferritic stainless steels are commonly used in automotive applications, cookware, and industrial equipment. They are steels that incorporate elements from ferrite, consequently they contain a high proportion of chromium (between 10.5% and 27%), a low proportion of carbon and with little or no nickel.

Because nickel is one of the most expensive alloying elements and has demonstrated high price volatility, the low nickel content of ferritic grades makes them more stable compared to high nickel content grades.

Grades of ferritic steels

Group 1 (AISI 409 / 410L): with the lowest chromium content of all stainless steels, it is consequently the least expensive. This group is perfect in free or slightly corrosive environments, where slight localized corrosion is accepted.

Group 2 (AISI 430): it is the most widely used ferritic family. With a higher chromium content, group 2 offers greater resistance to corrosion and its behavior is comparable to that of 304.

Group 3 (AISI 430Ti, 439 and 441): compared to group 2, they offer greater weldability and formability. Its behavior is even better than that of the 430.

Group 4 (AISI 434, 436, 444): with a higher molybdenum content and greater resistance to corrosion, it can be used in more corrosive outdoor environments.