SAE 304 stainless steel optimal high temperature strength. The carbon content of 304L (UNS 30403) is restricted to a maximum of 0.03%, which prevents sensitization during welding. Sensitization is the formation of chromium carbides along grain boundaries when a stainless steel is exposed to temperatures in the range of ~–. The subsequent formation of chromium carbide results in reduced corrosion resistance along the grain boundary leaving the stainless steel susceptible to unanticipated corrosion in an environment where 304 would be expected to be corrosion resistant. This grain boundary corrosive attack is known as intergranular corrosion. The carbon content of 304 (UNS 30400) is restricted
Duplex stainless steel are higher. This can be a great advantage when strength is important. This is the case in bridges, pressure vessels or tie bars. Chemicals composition of grades from EN 10088-1 (2014) Standard are given in the table below: Mechanical properties from European Standard EN 10088-3 (2014) (for product thickness below 160mm): <nowiki>*</nowiki>for thickess ≤ 5 mm The minimum yield stress values are about twice as high as those of austenitic stainless steels. Duplex grades are therefore attractive when mechanical properties at room tempearature are important because they allow thinner sections. Duplex stainless steel Duplex stainless steels is the most recent