Stainless Steel

A hugely versatile material with unique properties, stainless steel is an exceptional material for use in many applications.

Righton Blackburns have been supplying the industry with stainless steel for over 100 years, building a reputation for quality and service with many customers in diverse market sectors.

Our range of stainless steel products includes long products, flat products, marine and aerospace materials, tubular products and handrailing.

Materials are sources from approved and highly reputable mills and our customers can have confidence that all materials supplied originate from trusted and proven manufacturers.

Our service centres around the UK and own fleet of delivery vehicles mean you can be sure that Righton Blackburns are able to handle your stainless steel supply needs reliably and consistently.

General Information for Stainless Steel

Stainless Steel Categories

Stainless steel is available in a number of grades, which can be divided into five basic categories: austenitic, ferritic, duplex, martensitic, and precipitation Hardening.

Austenitic and ferritic grades are most commonly used, accounting for 95% of stainless steel applications, with type 1.4307 (304L) being the most commonly specified grade.

Austenitic Stainless Steel

Probably the most common of the stainless steel categories, austenitic steels have high levels of chromium, with varying levels of other elements such as nickel, carbon, manganese and nitrogen.

These steels are divided into two categories, as determined by their additional alloys. Those with nickel form the 300 series, and those primarily using manganese and nitrogen are collectively known as the 200 series.

Practical applications for austenitic stainless steel include cutlery, kitchen appliances, surgical equipment and boat fittings, not to mention the structural composition of many components within the automotive and aerospace industries.

Ferritic Stainless Steel

Also containing higher levels of chromium, ferritic steels, are the 400 grade steels. Noted for their magnetic properties, they also offer good tensile-property strength and ductility, and are highly resistant to thermal fatigue, corrosion and stress-corrosion cracking.

Ferritic stainless steel is tailored towards durability and are often found in automotive parts, appliances and throughout the catering industry.

Martensitic Stainless Steel

The martensitic steels are also in the 400-grade series of stainless steels. They contain low to high carbon content, as well as chromium and 1% molybdenum. This is used when oxidation resistance and or corrosion resistance are needed coupled with either high strength at lower temperatures or creep resistance at higher temperatures. The martensitic steels have magnetic properties and possess good ductility and toughness and are easier to form.

Applications are broad and varied but include pump and valve parts, bolts, nuts and screws, surgical instruments, hand cutting tools and kitchen utensils, as well as parts for turbines and compressors.

Duplex Stainless Steel

Duplex stainless steels are a mixture of austenite and ferrite microstructures. They contain high levels of chromium and molybdenum, and exceptionally low nickel. This mixed structure gives this range of steels some very commercially attractive qualities, such as superb levels of toughness and corrosion resistance.

Placed in the 200 Grade series, duplex is ideal for the toughest of assignments, in the most demanding of environments. It is used for construction, cargo tanks, chemical plants and oil and gas processing, among many others.

Precipitation Hardening Stainless Steel

Precipitation Hardening stainless steels are a collection of heat resistant alloys, which can be heat-treated to achieve extremely high tensile strength values, three to four times that of ordinary Austenitic steel.

This is achieved by adding aluminium, copper, molybdenum and titanium, either in mixed form or as individual elements.

Precipitation hardening stainless steels are widely used in the nuclear, oil, gas, and aerospace industries, where extreme tensile strength and corrosion resistance are the main required attributes.


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An extensive UK network of Service Centres, backed up by a central distribution facility.

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Stainless Steel Weight Calculator

All weights shown using this metal weight calculator are for guidance only. They are calculated using nominal dimensions and scientifically recognised densities. Please note that in practice, the actual metal weight can vary significantly from theoretical weight due to variations in manufacturing tolerances and compositions.

Find your local Service Centre

An extensive UK network of Service Centres, backed up by a central distribution facility.

  • Experienced multi-product specialists

  • In-house state of the art processing facilities

  • Large fleet of bespoke delivery vehicles

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Stainless steel block