Quote:
Originally Posted by Dark_Angle
The problem here probably lies in the heat treating process of the product. First off, aside from the make up of the steel, the material needs to be thoroughly cleaned before it can be heat treated. My thoughts are that the product was under treated and wasn't able to reach full austenization temperatures in the furnace. Aside from chromium count, if the material being heat treated wasn't properly treated, then corrosion characteristics will be present. This could possibly be the problem. Also there is a process called passivation, where the product can be made more corrosion resistive by acid submersion. Keep in mind all the above processes are a function of time an temperature.
I think that steel vendors now a days are pretty good at getting the customer what they need.The steel vendors we use are always within +/- 1%. We have many and they are all over the globe. So to point the finger at the steel vendor is probably not the correct approach. The product manufacturer is probably the one to blame for improper treatment.
Is there an issue that the product manufacturer is unwilling to admit their mistake and replace the product?
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first off...300 series stainless is not a heat-treatable material series.
Secondly..... Passivation is as you said initially, an acid dip process, it doesn't change the characteristics of the base material except to remove free iron particles from the surface, hence it is referred to as a surface treatment. it is not a heat vs time process although some specs and or classes of passivate do require or prefer an elevated temperature.