Steel is a widely used material that finds applications from household items to industrial equipment and from construction to engineering. Steel offers much higher flexibility without compromising strength. Its high corrosion resistance and attractive appearance are also the reasons why it is preferred over the rest of the metals.
Steel is available in many types the most popular of which are stainless steel and structural steel. Now to an ordinary person, it can be a bit hard to distinguish between these two types. Though both these types of steel are tampered with other elements and they look the same. Still, there are several key differences between the two.
This blog delves into the main points of difference between stainless steel and structural steel in detail. With this information, you will have no trouble separating one type of steel from the other so keep on reading till the end.
- What is Stainless Steel?
- What is Structural Steel?
- Key Differences Between Stainless Steel & Structural Steel
- Composition
- Strength and Durability
- Ductility
- Cost
- Temperature Resistance
- Applications
What is Stainless Steel?
Stainless steel is basically an alloy of iron and 10.5% chromium. Some other common additives in stainless steel are nickel, carbon, copper, manganese, and Sulphur.
The addition of these materials gives stainless steel a much higher corrosion and temperature resistance. It also gives the material superior strength and greater weldability.
What is Structural Steel?
This is a steel that is optimized for use in high-load-bearing applications in construction. This steel has a chemical composition that contains iron and carbon. Typically, structural steel is any steel in which the carbon content is up to 2.1% of its total weight.
The high carbon content gives structural steel a higher yield strength but lower ductility or formability. This makes this type of steel ideal for use in bridges, building frames, and other construction applications.
Structural steel is also available in low-carbon content i.e., 0.31% to 1.5%. This gives the steel a higher strength without reducing ductility to a great extent. This type of steel is used mostly in building construction materials as it gives buildings both strength and flexibility in case of earthquakes.
Some other grades of structural steel also have additives like nickel, cobalt, zirconium, or tungsten to add more strength.
Key Differences Between Stainless Steel & Structural Steel
Here are the main differences between the stainless steel and structural steel that you should know
1. Composition
Stainless is the one that has a higher concentration of chromium (10% to 20%) which gives it its signature shine and a higher corrosion resistance.
On the other hand, structural steel has a higher concentration of carbon (0.31% to 2.1%) which enhances its strength-to-weight ratio. The much higher yield strength of structural steel is also a result of its high iron content.
2. Strength and Durability
The yield strength of structural steel ranges from a staggering 36 ksi to 58 ksi. This shows that this type of steel has a much higher load-bearing capacity without suffering deformation even under very high constant pressure.
In comparison, stainless steel has a yield strength of only about 25 ksi to 35 ksi. This makes stainless steel prone to deformation under high pressure which reduces its usability as a construction material.
3. Ductility
Ductility refers to the trait of a material where it can deform or change its shape without getting fractured. It basically shows the softness or malleability of a material.
The presence of a higher amount of nickel makes stainless steel more ductile. Structural steel on the other hand has a higher concentration of iron with very little amount of carbon which makes it less ductile.
4. Cost
Stainless steel tends to be more expensive than structural steel owing to the presence of expensive alloys in large amounts. The high price of this steel is the main reason why most construction applications involve the use of structural steel.
Structural steel, on the other hand, is an alloy of iron with very trace amounts of carbon which is a very abundant element. This leads to its much lower market price and hence the higher purchase.
5. Temperature Resistance
Both stainless and structural steel behave differently under increasing temperatures. The corrosion resistance of stainless steel drops when the temperature rises.
On the other hand, with an increase in temperature, the strength of structural steel decreases. Overall, the stainless steel has a much higher temperature resistance than structural steel.
6. Applications
Due to the composition difference, stainless steel and structural steel have different corrosion resistances and yield strengths. Structural steel is mostly used in high-load-bearing applications like bridges, transportation, and buildings. This material is also used in making gates, railings, staircases, flitch plates, universal columns, steel frames in buildings, and general steel beams.
On the other hand, stainless steel, owing to its high chromium content is mostly used in applications where high corrosion resistance is paramount. This material is used to make culinary utensils, kitchen sinks, surgical tools, automotive parts, hemostats, and general medical equipment.
You can also use this material in some load-bearing applications. But in this case, you have to factor in things like the loading conditions, environmental exposure levels, and the loading capacity.
Conclusion
Both stainless steel and structural steel are composed of different metals in different ratios which affects their strength, ductility, price, and applications accordingly.
When making the selection between the two, you need to make sure of the amount of strength and durability you are looking for. By deciding based on your specific application, you can make sure you get the appropriate material that ensures both the maximum performance as well as durability.
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