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Stainless steel stands out for its durability, 100% recyclability, corrosion resistance, mechanical performance and ease of maintenance, making it an ideal material for many applications in life. You can find stainless steel in tiny kitchen appliances to the biggest skyscrapers. Currently, there are more than 150 types of stainless steel but only 15 are widely used in daily applications.1. Food and cateringStainless steel is a familiar material in many kitchen utensils. Thanks to its good corrosion resistance, high durability and safety for users, stainless steel is often made into stoves, grills, pots and pans,... Currently, stainless steel is also used as a finishing layer for refrigerators, washing machines, dishwashers,...2. Offshore technologyStainless steel's corrosion resistance in both coastal and high-salinity marine environments makes it suitable for offshore applications. In particular, Austenitic stainless steel containing 6% Molybdenum can be permanently immersed in seawater. There are many applications of stainless steel in the offshore industry, for example:- Submersible components: Oil pipes and grids, heat exchangers for ships, coastal power plants, ship hull accessories,...- Platform structure components: Pumps, tanks, rebars, cable trays, stairs, walkways, oil and gas coolers,...- Parts and details on boat and ship such as deck eyes, anchor rope brackets, shackles,...3. Desalination plantsStainless steel is an alloy of iron, nickel, chromium, molybdenum and many other elements that give it excellent durability and corrosion resistance. It accounts for 20-30% of equipment in desalination plants. Chromium forms a “passive” layer on the surface of stainless steel, protecting it from chemical reactions and environmental factors that lead to corrosion. This layer also enhances stainless steel's resistance to pitting, crevice corrosion and many common problems in marine environments. The most common stainless steel grades in desalination plants are 304L, 316L and duplex grades 2205 and 2507.4. Chemical industryChemical mills contain dangerous acids and oxidants that can cause extremely serious damage to common metals. Meanwhile, in addition to standard corrosion resistance, stainless steel is also resistant to stress corrosion cracking and galvanic corrosion. Some other alloys also have good durability and can withstand high temperatures in harsh environments such as the oil and gas industry. That's why stainless steel is a preferred choice for chemical storage tanks, pumps, and pipelines.5. BridgesThe excellent properties of stainless steel play an important role in long-span bridge applications, highway bridges, pedestrian bridges and even railway bridges. The use of stainless steel is increasingly popular due to its durability and aesthetic appeal. Initially, stainless steel was mainly used in safety parts such as handrails and railings. In recent years, they have also been made into floor structures and suspension systems.6. Storage tanksStainless steel, with higher durability compared to concrete, plastic and carbon steel, possesses oxidation from water and biocides. These characteristics make it ideal for water and food storage tanks. Additionally, stainless steel tanks are highly resistant to crevice corrosion and cavitation.7. Civil engineeringStainless steel has long been popular in construction because of its advantages of durability, toughness, aesthetics and longevity. Typical applications of Austenitic and Duplex stainless steel are load-bearing components, beams, columns, supports, seawalls, ... In addition, stainless steel can also be shaped through cold forming, extrusion or laser fusion to produce bolts, screws and structural steel.8. Power plantsStainless steel is one of the metals with high applications in the electrical and energy industry. The chromium oxide film on the surface protects the steel from corrosion and self-heals after scratches. Another characteristic that makes stainless steel suitable for the power plants is its ability to transfer heat and withstand high temperatures and pressures. That is why stainless steel is often used in heat exchangers, pressure tubes, transformer enclosures,… 9. Shipbuilding industryBasically, a ship built with aluminum alloy will be 60% lighter than steel and is more resistant to corrosion and easier to maintain. Stainless steel contains high nickel content, making the steel's mechanical properties more stable and durable over time. This is also the element that helps steel resist oxidation in the marine environment, making stainless steel highly suitable for the shipbuilding industry.10. Medical industryStainless steel contains a minimum of 10.5% chromium, forming a “passive” layer that prevents the surface from corroding. Stainless steel is also popular in the pharmaceutical industry, where hygiene and safety are strict. Here are some common applications of stainless steel:- Wheelchairs and walkers- Surgical equipment such as scalpels, forceps,...- Medical needles and syringes- Hospital bed- Chemical and hazardous waste containers- ...Stainless steel is an indispensable construction material in today's life, contributing to important fields and industries. Choosing high-quality stainless steel can improve the aesthetics, quality and durability of the project. If you have any questions about the Vietnamese stainless steel market, please contact MRS Steel via Email: vanloc@mrssteel.com.vn or Hotline: +84 28 36 22 33 58.

Vietnam's stainless steel market is considered a potential destination with the rise of many large capacity factories. In order to help readers and especially steel importers to easily choose partners for the strategy, today MRS Steel would like to summarize the top 5 largest Vietnam stainless steel pipe companies.Hoa Binh Stainless Steel CompanyHoa Binh Company is currently one of the largest vietnam stainless steel pipe companies with nearly 30 years of operation in the field of stainless steel production. The company was established in 1996 with the beginning as a small store, by 2023, Hoa Binh owns a total of 4 stainless steel factories with a capacity of more than 150,000 tons per year.In order to meet the constantly changing needs of the market, Hoa Binh has constantly invested in production technology. All stainless steel pipes at the factory are produced on the Sendzimir line - the first 1300mm wide stainless steel cold rolling technology applied in Vietnam and Southeast Asia. Possessing a Sendzimir rolling mill including 20 axes will enable the mill to roll very hard materials with a thickness of up to microns. In 2015, the company marked an important milestone when it was successfully transferred by Tenova Corporation in the United States of America to wide-format rolling technology.Currently, the stainless steel pipe product line at the factory is recognized as high quality and has a full range of certificates according to ASTM A554, ASTM A312. Hoa Binh's stainless steel pipes have been exported to many markets such as Korea, Thailand, Indonesia, Taiwan, Pakistan, Turkey, USA…Son Ha International Joint Stock CompanyEstablished in 1996, Son Ha company is proud to be one of the factories specializing in manufacturing and supplying stainless steel pipes for many years in the Vietnam market. Although only operating and participating in the field for less than 30 years, the company already owns more than 11 stainless steel factories across the country.Son Ha stainless steel pipe is manufactured on advanced technology lines that fully meet ASTM standards from the US, European standards EN 10296 and Japanese standards JIS G3450. Before being traded on the market, products must go through 14 strict steps in production, especially the factory having flattening at pipe-end technology that helps steel pipes not to break welds or breaking bodies during the bending and handling process.In addition, Son Ha is proud to be the first company in Vietnam to be granted PED certificate for stainless steel pipe products, in addition, the company is also honored to be granted an additional certificate of ISO quality 9001:2015 for management system. Thanks to these valuable certifications, Son Ha's steel pipe products are eligible for export to demanding markets such as the US and Europe, and now the products have been distributed to more than 45 countries around the world.Nam Phat Stainless Steel GroupNam Phat is a corporation specializing in exporting stainless steel products, typically stainless steel pipes. The company was established in 2005, although it is only 20 years experience in the steel industry, the company has quickly achieved many impressive milestones when it has been in the top 5 of supplying stainless steel to major markets such as India, Korea, Japan,... in many consecutive years Nam Phat Group currently owns 3 stainless steel factories with standard production lines, of which the No. 1 stainless steel pipe factory has a capacity of 72,000 tons/year. All steel pipe products meet the standards including ASTM of America, JIS G 4303/4304 of Japan, DIN standard of Germany and BS 1449 standard of UK.Nam Phat always explores and learns production technologies to improve the quality of steel. In 2020, the group officially installed a wide-format cold-rolling factory with a capacity of 120,000 tons per year. Moreover, large-format cold-rolled coils named Nam Phat have been exported to many European countries. The company has also successfully manufactured SUS310S stainless steel irregular pipes that meet ASTM and JIS standards, bringing many applications in a variety of fields from medical, automotive, textile to nuclear power.POSCO VST CompanyPOSCO VST Company has always been considered as a manufacturer of high-grade stainless steel in the Vietnamese market. Although it only entered the Vietnamese market in 2006, up to now, POSCO owns the largest steel rolling mill in Southeast Asia with a capacity of 1.2 million tons/year.2012 is an important milestone when POSCO continues to inaugurate the stainless steel pipe factory with a huge scale of 150,000 tons/year. The continuous investment and expansion of the production plant has helped POSCO VST improve its stainless steel production capacity from 85,000 tons/year to 235,000 tons/year.All POSCO stainless steel products are manufactured and strictly inspected according to international standards ISO 9001: 2008, modern production lines at all factories are provided by top metallurgical equipment suppliers world leader – DANIELI from Italy. The lines of stainless steel pipes put on the market all meet ASTM and JIS standards of the US and Japan.Hoang Vu stainless steel corporationHoang Vu Stainless Steel Group was established in 1993 and is considered the first enterprise in Vietnam to participate in the stainless steel market segment. During 30 years of operation and development, the company now owns 6 stainless steel factories with a total output of up to 70,000 tons/year and more than 100 largest stainless steel pipe production lines in Vietnam.Based on the product quality and prestige to make motto of operation, the enterprise has continuously invested in a series of closed production equipment such as stainless steel coil cold rolling line, welded pipe production line, welded pipe polishing line,... The output stainless steel pipe products at Hoang Vu always meet the international quality standards ISO 9001: 2015 and are certified to conform to ASTM A554 (USA), JIS G3459 standards (Japan).Besides hot-rolled and cold-rolled steel products, stainless steel pipe is currently one of the key steel products in Vietnam's steel industry with a series of manufacturing plants spread across the country. Each factory has its own separate quality standards for steel grades, so if you are an international importer and have not worked in the Vietnamese market for many years, it will take a lot of time to find and select the appropriate manufacturer.With many years in providing solutions on Vietnamese steel import for importers, MRS Steel is currently a partner of many large Vietnamese stainless steel pipe companies . If you are interested in learning about Vietnam stainless steel pipe products, please contact us immediately to receive the information sheets on available sizes with the latest updated price information.

Stainless steel has added nickel, chromium and many other alloying elements that other types of steel lack. This difference has resulted in corrosion resistance, high thermal conductivity, ductility and many other superior properties. In this article, MRS Steel will delve deeper into Ferritic stainless steel to examine its strength and applications in construction.1. What is Ferritic stainless steel?Ferritic stainless steel, also known as low carbon steel containing about 12-20% chromium, is a straight, non-hardening chromium stainless alloy with a carbon content below 0.2%. After undergoing special heat treatment, mills produce Ferritic stainless steels including: 409, 430, 430 LI, 434, 439, 442, 444, 446,... stainless steelFerritic steels are unique in that they contain higher chromium content than other types of stainless steel, which can be up to 27%. However, in some cases the chromium content is only equivalent to Austenitic. Additionally, most Ferritic steels are also nickel-free, similar to Martensitic steel.2. Characteristics of Ferritic stainless steel Resistant to stress corrosion crackingStress corrosion cracking (SCC) occurs due to corrosive environments and tensile stresses leading to crack formation. This process significantly reduces the load-bearing capacity of the metal structure. Austenitic stainless steel is highly vulnerable to SCC due to its interaction with chloride-rich environments. However, the structure of Ferritic is resistant to high levels of SCC, making it an excellent choice for applications in harsh environments or those containing high chloride levels.Ductility and FormabilityThe carbon content determines the ductility and brittleness of steel, while Ferritic steel only contains below 0.2% carbon, which provides it with moderate ductility and ease of shaping. Its low carbon content also helps prevent cracking and breakage during shaping. However, the low carbon content can lead to issues like cracking during welding and the inability to harden the steel using conventional heat treatment methods.Low thermal expansion Thermal expansion is a physical property representing the change in size of a during heat exchange. A high coefficient of thermal expansion can lead to cracking when there are temperature differences. Ferritic steel has a low coefficient of thermal expansion that helps fix the dimensions of the metal, making it suitable for high-temperature applications.High thermal conductivityCompared to other common steel types, Ferritic stainless steel stands out with its excellent thermal conductivity. Therefore, they are also widely used in furnace and boiler heat exchangers as well as other heat transfer components.High Oxidation ResistanceFerritic steel is also known for its good oxidation resistance, especially at high temperatures. The chromium oxide film protects steel from rust external rusting factors. In Vietnam, factories also enhance the oxygen resistance of Ferrit steel by adding silicon or aluminum.3. Ferritic stainless steel classification and equivalent applicationsDepending on the composition and application, Ferritic stainless steel is divided into 5 groups including:Group 1 (Type 409/410 L)This is the group of Ferrite steels with the lowest chromium content, so the price is also much cheaper among all types of stainless steel. Type 409 is often used as catalytic converter housing or the main application of type 410 L is LCD screen frames, buses,...Group 2 (Type 430)Type 430 Ferritic stainless steel has a chromium content ranging from 16-18%, providing better corrosion resistance than Group 1. It is widely used in the production of washing machines, kitchen furniture,... Additionally, with similar properties and strength, 430 Ferrit steel can replace 304 stainless steel in various applications, such as cladding.Group 3 (Type 430TI, 439, 441)Group 3 has a chromium content of 17.5 - 18.5%, offering excellent welding and shaping properties, even superior to 304 stainless steel. This group is commonly used in exhaust systems, sink basins,…Group 4 (Type 434, 436, 444)Group 4 stands out with its high corrosion resistance thanks to the addition of Molybdenum in the composition. For example:- Inox 434: 16.0% – 18.0% chromium; 0.9% < Mo < 1.4%- Inox 436: 16.0% – 18.0% chromium; 0.9% < Mo < 1.4%; 0.3% < Ti < 0.6%- Inox 444: 17.0% – 20.0% chromium; 1.8% < Mo < 2.5%They are suitable as materials for applications in high-corrosion environments, water tanks, ovens and outdoor products.Group 5 (Type 446, 445)This group has the highest chromium and molybdenum content of all Ferritic stainless steel groups, which corresponds to their excellent corrosion and rust resistance. In practice, Ferritic steel types 446 and 445 are used specifically for heat exchanger components, water heaters, pressure cookers,...Vietnam has abundant iron ore resources and crude steel output ranks 13th globally. With improvements in production technology and a modern, closed chain system, Vietnam stainless steel is committed to meeting international standards and strict requirements from customers. Importers can contact MRS Steel via Whatsapp: +84 76 911 2358 for advice on the Vietnamese steel market and products.

Austenitic stainless steel stands out for its strength, corrosion resistance, high aesthetics, ease of production and maintenance. That is also the reason why they become the top choice for construction and many other industries.1. What is Austenitic steel?Austenitic is a type of stainless steel that contains austenitic (gamma iron, gamma-phase iron). Thanks to the high ratio of nickel and chromium, Austenitic steel is easily formable, weldable into various shapes and possesses excellent strength and corrosion resistance.2. What are the characteristics of Austenitic stainless steel?Austenitic stainless steel is one of the popular steel types, accounting for three-quarters of the global stainless steel market. They possess many outstanding features such as:Durability at temperatureAustenitic stainless steel can withstand high temperatures up to 1900 degrees F but some types can deform at temperatures of 800 degrees F.Cold working capabilitiesAustenitic steel cannot be hardened by conventional heat treatment and requires cold working to increase its strength. The steel is annealed before being rapidly cooled to return it to its original state. Thanks to that, Austenitic stainless steel has better hardness, durability and aesthetics.Low thermal conductivityAustenitic stainless steel has lower thermal conductivity than other types such as Ferritic.Shaping abilityThanks to its high nickel and chromium content, Austenitic steel is easy to shape and suitable for many different applications.3. Classify Austenitic stainless steel by seriesAustenitic stainless steel is divided into many series based on composition such as series 200 (SUS 201, 202,...) and series 300 (SUS 301, 304, 316, 316L, 321, 310s,...). For group 300, which usually contains 10.5% chromium and 8% nickel, the most popular is 304 stainless steel with high standards, safe for health and environmentally friendly. Meanwhile, series 200 contains less chromium, nickel and adds nitrogen, manganese, so it has a lower price than series 300.Application of Series 300Aerospace tubesStorage boxTankFood and Beverage EquipmentPharmaceutical equipmentMining equipment and chemicalsCutleryFurnace Application of Series 200Family water tankWashing machineDishwasherCooking utensils and cutleryCar partsIndoor architecture4. Applications of Austenitic stainless steelAustenitic steels have become a familiar material in many industries including medical, automotive, aerospace,... They are known for their outstanding strength, durability and formability.Medical applicationsTo ensure safety, medical tools such as surgical needles, injection needles, cotton boxes, tweezers, scissors, medicine trays,... are all made from Austenitic stainless steel.Automotive manufacturing Many car parts are made from Austenitic stainless steel for greater strength and aesthetics. In addition, in the fuel rail system, drainage holes or deep drawing parts are also made from Austenitic steel.Industrial and consumer applicationsKitchen appliances including sinks, refrigerators, kitchen shelves,... or generator parts and springs are all made from cold-processed Austenitic stainless steel.Aerospace applicationsCold processing technology of Austenitic stainless steel meets military and aerospace application requirements such as manufacturing jet engine components, helicopters, landing gears,...5. Where to import Austenitic stainless steel?Austenitic is the most common type of stainless steel with high applicability in production and life. Demand for Austenitic stainless steel has increased recently as industries and manufacturing sectors gradually recover and stabilize after the COVID-19 pandemic.Vietnam is one of the addresses for importing Austenitic stainless steel that is trusted by many partners. Possessing a modern production process, stable input material sources, advanced machinery systems Tenova, Danieli,... help finished products meet international standards and customer requirements. In addition, Vietnam also has many advantages in price thanks to abundant labor resources, import-export policies, anti-dumping duty incentives,… As a result, importers can access quality steel at the most reasonable prices.For detailed advice and quotes, please contact MRS Steel via Whatsapp:+84 76 911 2358 for the most thoughtful support!

Stainless steel is famous for its resistance to corrosion and rust thanks to its Chromium and Nickel content of over 12% while its carbon content is very low (below 0.1%). However, under harsh environmental conditions, stainless steel can be affected. So what factors can cause corrosion or rust in stainless steel?1. Why Stainless Steel is Rust ResistantWhen exposed to air, chromium in stainless steel reacts with oxygen to form a very thin layer of chromium oxide that cannot be seen with the naked eye. They act as an extremely strong protective layer and are completely unaffected by water and air. Therefore, the stainless steel is almost completely protected against rust or oxidation.2. Top 5 Factors Causing Stainless Steel Corrosion2.1. Strong chlorides can cause pitting corrosion on stainless steelSome types of stainless steel alloys will corrode extremely when exposed to chloride-rich environments. 304 stainless steel is often used to make specialized equipment serving the navy. During long-term use, the metal begins to pit due to exposure to salt-rich seawater or airTo prevent this situation, manufacturers use stainless steel with special chloride resistance, such as type 316. In addition, the stainless steel surface should be coated with a specialized layer to prevent the alloy from coming into contact with chloride environments.2.2. Galvanic corrosion caused by welding different stainless steel alloysOne of the most common mistakes that leads to corrosion of stainless steel is welding different metal wires or plates together. The reason is that each type of material has different properties, so when connected through a common electrolyte material, an electric current will flow from one material to the other. This makes it easier for the metal to become an "anode" and accelerates the corrosion process. Corrosion speed also depends on other factors such as the type of stainless steel being welded, the type of welding material, temperature, sensitivity, exposed metal surface area,...The best way to prevent galvanic corrosion from welding is to avoid connecting two different metals or to seal the weld with a specialized coating to prevent the flow of electrons from the cathode to the anode.2.3. Coating normal iron or steel onto stainless steelIn some applications, billet or iron residue existing on the surface of stainless steel can break down the protective oxide layer of the stainless steel billet, losing its corrosion resistance and becoming rusty.Factories need to thoroughly clean welding and cutting equipment, tools or steel brushes before moving on to process new materials. This will limit metallic chips from metals sticking to the stainless steel surface.2.4. Applying extremely high temperatures to stainless steelStainless steel alloys have very high melting points, around 1400 - 1500 degrees Celsius. However, if stainless steel is exposed to high temperatures, it can undergo physical and mechanical changes, affecting its corrosion resistance. For example, steel alloys exposed to high temperatures during the annealing treatment process can appear to scale and flake off, causing bimetallic corrosion. In addition, too high temperatures also lose the protective oxide layer, increasing the risk of corrosion.Mills control this corrosion factor by testing the appropriate operating temperature for each grade of stainless steel to see if the temperature used exceeds the limit.2.5. Other environmental factorsThere are many cases where factories can produce stainless steel products to custom specifications to meet customer needs. This accidentally leads to stainless steel being corroded due to some unforeseen environmental factors. For example, products that will be used in coastal areas have higher than normal humidity and chlorides, which will accelerate metal corrosion.Therefore, when choosing stainless steel as a material for applications, manufacturers must take into account environmental factors to ensure products with good corrosion resistance and durability.Hopefully, this article on factors that cause stainless steel corrosion has helped you learn more ways to better protect your products. If you have any questions or need to import Vietnamese stainless steel at good prices and quality, please contact MRS Steel via Email: vanloc@mrssteel.com.vn or Whatsapp:+84 76 911 2358.