Depending on the chromium content, ferritic stainless steels can have excellent corrosion properties. They are used wherever good corrosion properties are required but high demands are not placed on formability. By modifying the chemical composition and the manufacturing process, single- or multi-phase structures with special magnetic or other properties can be adjusted and made to measure for the respective application.

Martensitic stainless steels combine high hardness and wear resistance with relatively good toughness. They are resistant to corrosion under atmospheric environmental conditions. They are mainly used for blades and knives in household, medical, industrial, and consumer applications. Because of their high strength, corrosion resistance, good toughness, and very good fatigue properties, they are also used as springs, e.g., as valves in compressors.

Austenitic stainless steels are characterized in their annealed condition by their high formability combined with very good corrosion resistance. The corrosion resistance can be further increased by adding chromium or molybdenum content. Depending on the nickel content, either higher formability or an a-magnetic material can be achieved. In the work-hardened state, they are used as springs, filters, tubes, needles, stencils, or cutting elements in various areas of life in the automotive, electrical, household, and consumer goods sectors, or in mechanical engineering and the chemical industry. We sometimes find them as implants or connecting elements in our body after surgery.

These special alloys that have a high formability in the non-hardened state and can achieve very high hardness and strength through precipitation hardening. They are used for complex formed components with very high demands on strength and corrosion resistance.