The main components of sorbite stainless steel are: Cr content of 10.5-16%, Ni content of 1-5%, P content of 0.01-0.1%, S content of less than 0.04%, and O content of less than 30ppm.
The sorbitic stainless steel adopts a new natural alloy ore + basic alloy steel + target alloying smelting technology. After the billet is rolled, through the adjustment and control of the heat treatment process, the ideal mechanical properties can be obtained in a large range, and low sulfur and high phosphorus can be obtained. -Stainless steel high-strength structural steel with ultra-fine grain and sorbite metallographic structure.
Sorbitic stainless steel has higher strength than austenitic stainless steel and ferritic stainless steel, and has a more economical cost advantage stainless steel. For marine engineering, equipment manufacturing, highways and bridges, electric power and petrochemical, oil and gas exploration, mining and transportation, building decoration, drinking water pipelines, it can provide steel products that can not only meet service performance requirements, but also are economical and corrosion-resistant.
The representative grades of S series sorbitic stainless steel are: S 400 (E), S 500 (E), S 600 (E); take S 600 E as an example: S refers to sorbitic stainless steel, 600 refers to a yield strength of 600 MPa, E refers to Seismic performance. Our company has the good quality products and the service is customerized for every customers.
Overview of Sorbite Stainless Steel
- Stainless steel relies on chromium (≥10.5%) to form a passive oxide layer for corrosion resistance. Other elements like nickel or molybdenum enhance specific properties (e.g., acid resistance or strength) .
- Heat treatments for stainless steel focus on:
- Solution annealing (austenitic grades) to dissolve carbides.
- Quenching and tempering (martensitic grades) to achieve hardness .
- No standard process produces “sorbite” in stainless alloys.
| Property | Benefit |
|---|---|
| Hardness | 40-55 HRC (optimized balance of strength & toughness) |
| Corrosion Res. | Moderate (exceeds carbon steel but less than austenitic 304) |
| Wear Res. | Excellent (due to carbide precipitation) |
| Machinability | Good post-tempering (vs. brittle as-quenched martensite) |
Industrial Applications of Sorbite Stainless Steel
“Sorbite stainless steel” is not a standard industry term. It likely refers to a misunderstanding of metallurgical terminology. “Sorbite” describes a fine-grained microstructure in steel, while stainless steel types are classified as austenitic (e.g., 304/316) or duplex (e.g., 2205). Austenitic stainless steels (chromium-nickel alloys) are corrosion-resistant and non-magnetic, used in food/medical industries. Duplex stainless steels combine austenite and ferrite, offering high strength and chloride resistance for marine/chemical applications. Clarify terminology based on structural needs (sorbite for strength) or corrosion requirements (duplex/austenitic for environmental resistance).
Cutlery & Blades: 420C/440C knives (tempered “sorbite” structure ensures edge retention)
Valve Components: ASTM A473 steam valves (heat-treated 410 for creep resistance)
Bearings & Tools: 440C raceways (HRC 55+ with tempered microstructure)
Oil & Gas: Pump shafts (martensitic grades tempered for sour-service compliance)
| Type | Key Microstructure | Example Grades |
|---|---|---|
| Austenitic | Face-centered cubic (FCC) | 304, 316 |
| Ferritic | Body-centered cubic (BCC) | 430, 444 |
| Martensitic | Tetragonal (tempered martensite) | 410, 420 |
| Duplex | Mixed austenite + ferrite | 2205, 2507 |
Sorbite Stainless Steel Supplier
As ISO 9001-certified specialists, we supply:
Certified Grades: 410, 420, 440C bars/plates with full MTRs (EN 10204 3.1)
Precision Heat Treatment: Vacuum tempering to achieve “sorbite” structures (HRC ±2 tolerance)
Testing: Hardness mapping, microstructure analysis (per ASTM E112/E384)
Global Stock: 48-hour shipping of tempered martensitic stainless products.
For stainless steel, rely on standard grades (austenitic, ferritic, etc.) and modern heat treatment protocols to achieve desired properties.
FAQ
Yes – martensitic grades retain magnetism after tempering.
No – use duplex 2205 or super austenitic 904L for chloride resistance.
Sorbite = tempered martensite (carbides in ferrite); Bainite = austenite-to-ferrite+carbide transformation at 250-550°C.