What are the stainless steel 321 Channels?

Stainless Steel 321 Channel is a structural steel piece in the form of C or U, which is manufactured of stainless steel 321 (UNS S32100). It is a titanium-stabilized modification of Type 304 stainless steel and has even better resistance to intergranular corrosion of the same metal after it has been affected by hard-hitting to the chromium carbide precipitation (400 to 850o C).

Its major composition is chromium (17-19%), nickel (9-12%), and titanium (=5x of carbon content). The titanium binds with carbon and so no carbide formation occurs on welding or when subjected to heat. Consequently, Stainless Steel 321 Channel is preferable in the formulation of pressure vessels, exhaust pipes, and places that need constant heat resistance and mechanical strength.

Technical Specification

Property	Value	Unit
Chemical composition	Cr: 17-19, Ni: 9-12, Ti: ≥5x C, C: ≤0.08, Mn: ≤2.0, Si: ≤1.0, P: ≤0.045, S: ≤0.03	%
Tensile Strength	515	MPa
Yield Strength	205	MPa
Elongation	40	%
Hardness	217	HRB
Density	7.92	g/cm³

Key Properties

The property of High Heat Resistance: Has a long-time strength and permanence at continuous service temperatures of up to 900 oC and is thus most appropriate in high-temperature applications such as heat exchangers, exhaust manifolds, etc.
Corrosion Resistance: It has a good resistance to air corrosion and a wide variety of organic/inorganic compounds. Greater performance than 304 in high-heat oxidizing conditions.
Weld ability: Titanium helps in weld stability and limits the number of post-weld heat-treated and hence precipitation of the carbide is less.
Mechanical Strength: SS 321 Channel has strong structural performance against mechanical strength because of the high tensile strength (ca. 515 MPa), adequate yield value, and elongation value.

Common Application

Aerospace Industries: Made use of aircraft exhaust manifolds, parts of the engine, and thermal shields because they successfully resist high temperatures oxidation.
Automotive and Transportation: Used in exhaust systems, turbochargers and catalytic convertor housing where heat resistance is a vital component of its use.
Chemical Processing: It is used in the strength finishing piping supports, and frameworks subjected to high temperature acids, alkalis, oxidizers.
Construction: It is applied in construction of frameworks, cladding and roof supports in areas that experience high temperature or seas.
Heat Treatment Equipment: The best fit in furnace part, conveyor belts and structures of heat exchanger.

Benefits of stainless steel 321 channel 2 use

The following is why when it comes to high performance environments Stainless Steel 321 Channels can be considered a material of choice:

Superior hot strength: 321 grade does not scale under the same conditions as the standard austenitic grades and it does not lose its mechanical properties at high temperatures.
Better Weld ability: Post-weld annealing is not required and it simplifies the production processes as titanium is stabilized.
Corrosion Resistance: It provides better service in oxidizing agents and exposure to organic acids than Type 304.
Economical Longevity: Durable to work long life with zero maintenance and lowering downtime, and replacement time in the industrial region.
Versatile Fabrication: It can be machined, welded and cut based on common practices, thus the design can be easily integrated.

Conclusion

The material Stainless Steel 321 Channel is a high performance product designed to address structural components that require weld ability, thermal stability and resistance to corrosion. The titanium-stabilized content brings it with a unique resistance to corrosion intergranularly- this is highly useful in applications that are heat-intensive and also in welded applications.