Ferritic Stainless Steel: Cost‑Efficient Chromium‑Based Alloy for Medium‑Corrosion Applications

Ferritic stainless steel is a chromium‑based alloy that maintains a stable ferrite structure at room temperature. It offers strong resistance to stress corrosion, a low thermal expansion coefficient, and reliable oxidation resistance. With little or no nickel content, it provides clear cost advantages and exhibits natural magnetic properties, making it suitable for applications requiring magnetism. Common grades such as 430 and SUS 430 contain approximately 16–18% chromium, delivering medium corrosion resistance and good formability in dry or mildly corrosive environments. Typical mechanical properties include around 450 MPa tensile strength, 205 MPa yield strength, and 22% elongation. Its dimensional stability at elevated temperatures makes it suitable for heat exchangers and high‑temperature components. Ferritic stainless steel is widely used in appliance panels, kitchen equipment, elevator decoration, door and window frames, and other architectural applications. It is also applied in automotive exhaust systems, heat shields, light‑duty structural parts, and machinery brackets. Modified grades such as 439 and 444 offer corrosion resistance close to 304, providing a cost‑effective alternative for budget‑sensitive projects. Balancing corrosion resistance, workability, and cost, ferritic stainless steel continues to expand its presence in construction, home appliances, automotive systems, and industrial equipment, making it a practical choice for medium‑corrosion environments.