Difference between Ferrite and Austenite Steel

The major difference is in the composition. Also the most known The magnetic characteristics are different. Austenite is not magnetic, but the components that make up ferrite are. Depending on the different grades of austenitic stainless steel, the chromium content ranges from 16 to 26 percent. Heat treatment can be used to harden austenitic steel, but it cannot be used to strengthen it. Although ferrites are stronger, they are less resistant to corrosion. They can be shaped and machined far more easily than austenitic stainless steels since they are also ductile.

Ferrite And Austenite Microstructure

A steel phase that can withstand heat is austenite. Stainless steels are another name for austenitic steels. Either hard ferrite or soft ferrite may make up the ferritic microstructure. The soft ferrites are simple to demagnetize while the hard ferrites are challenging to do so. The microstructure of austenitic stainless steels cannot be changed by heat treatment since they are non-magnetic. Heat treatment can change the ferrite microstructure, and after heat treatment, the majority of ferrites lose their magnetic properties.

Carbon Solubility In Ferrite And Austenite

More than ferrite materials, austenitic microstructures support carbon solubility. Depending on the steel grade, the austenitic stainless steels contain varying quantities of carbon. Applications requiring magnetic characteristics and less expensive materials use ferrite materials. These are helpful in magnetic cores when the ferrite materials' electric conductivity, magnetic characteristics, and strength are preferred.

Density Of Ferrite And Austenite

Ferrite materials are rarely enhanced with additional substances. The austenitic materials' chromium and nickel concentration raises the density of the austenitic stainless steels. The majority of austenitic stainless steels have densities greater than 8 grammes per cubic centimetre. The austenitic materials can be used in highly sensitive and high-end industrial applications thanks to their density. While austenitic stainless steels are utilised in heat exchangers, petrochemical, pharmaceutical, food processing, and other industrial applications, ferritic materials are only used in a limited number of applications.

Hardness Of Ferrite And Austenite

The austenitic stainless steel grades are harder than the ferritic compositions. The austenitic stainless steel grades' hardness is increased and their ductility is decreased by the addition of nickel and chromium concentrations. The austenitic materials are employed in building, transportation, and engineering applications due to their great hardness. Low hardness and great ductility are characteristics of ferritic materials. These characteristics enable the ferritic materials to be employed in inexpensive, highly welded, formed, and machined applications.

 

 

• 310
• 304L
• 309
• 304H
• 304
• 347
• 316
• 321
• 304N
• 308L

 

• High Formability
• Low Thermal Conductivity
• Strength at Temperature up to approximately 1900F
• Cold Workability

 

 

 

• 434
• 446
• 430
• Type 409
• Type 442
• 439
• 430L
• 444