The stainless steel product range is very diverse, and properties can be significantly affected by differences in contents of carbon, chromium and nickel primarily.

This course provides an understanding of the types of stainless steels and the process routes involved in their production depending upon the required final specification. Certain grades can be made by making adjustments to the standard Electric Arc Furnace (EAF) steelmaking practice, whilst others must be produced in purpose made secondary steelmaking facilities.

To produce low carbon, high chromium steels, the Argon Oxygen Decarburisation (AOD) and Vacuum Oxygen Decarburisation (VOD) processes are used to overcome chromium losses during carbon removal. These processes and the steelmaking thermodynamics involved are explained in this course.