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Stainless steels are everywhere – at least at Ganter. There is no product group that does not include standard parts of stainless steel. The reason is clear: the higher corrosion resistance makes the standard parts more robust. For this reason, stainless steel parts have become the standard in many industrial sectors. But not all stainless steel is the same, as can be seen in the overview created by Ganter. The term stainless steel stands for a wide range of alloys with varying property profiles. Selecting the standard part with the right quality is therefore no trivial matter – it determines the resulting mix of cost, lifespan and functionality. To help customers quickly, efficiently and reliably find parts of the right quality, Ganter has decided to provide a simplified categorization of the different types of stainless steel in three quality classes. Each quality class stands for a specific, clearly formulated range of requirements.

In low-corrosion environments – the so-called rural atmosphere – standard parts of quality class 1 are the right choice. Depending on the material, this quality class offers medium to good rust resistance and is suitable for moving parts that come into contact with heavily diluted alkaline solutions, acids or low-concentration saltwater. The materials in this class offer a good compromise between cost and – in most cases – sufficient resistance. They include, for example, the free-machining steel 1.4305 (AISI 303) or the cast steel 1.4405 (similar to AISI 316).

In defining the quality classes, Ganter makes use of the nomenclature established by Krupp AG at the start of the 20th century. At that time, tests were carried out with various alloys that eventually gave rise to the still current designations V2A or V4A.

Ganter quality class 2 therefore refers to steels of the test series A2 with their typical chromium-nickel alloy compositions. This quality class aims at applications in urban atmosphere, with higher requirements on corrosion resistance, especially in the presence of diluted alkaline solutions and acids or water with medium salt concentrations. Standard parts of this quality class are suited for hygienically demanding systems in the food industry, for valves and fittings that carry water or for naturally weathered applications.

Quality class 4 comes into play where extreme conditions dominate and in contact with chlorinated or highly salty water, aggressive cleaning agents or other reactive media. This applies in particular to plants in the chemical industry as well as marine and offshore applications.

All quality classes, including descriptions and material details, can be found in many places on the Ganter website. Regardless of how you approach the topic – starting from a specific standard part, from the basic stainless steel information or by clicking on the quality class icon – you will always find comprehensive information that amounts to a kind of stainless steel compendium. In this way, Ganter once again helps customers live up to individual requirements through the use of standard parts.

More information on Ganter standard parts can be found on the internet at ganternorm.com