Applications and Uses of Stainless Steel in Automotive Industry - Vishwa Stainless ! Stainless steel, now marking its usefulness in the automotive industry too. Click here and get to know which and how stainless steel grades play the most ideal

1. Applications and Uses of Stainless Steel in
Automotive Industry
Did You Know?
45 to 50% of automotive exhaust systems are made of stainless steel.
Probably, we all are aware of establishing uses of stainless steel in different industries
as per their required proportions but at Automotives behind the scenes are quite
different, as you read the fact – the ratio of stainless steel is quite higher than other
applicants of stainless steel.
So, is it bad/good that Automotives have adopted stainless steel? And if yes, what
characteristics of stainless steel made the automotive industry to adapt this
higher ratio? Let’s get on to answering step-by-step, when it comes to automotive
there are several requirements that need to be fulfilled including a lightweight yet
safer experience, environmental-friendly, and affordability.
Now steel can also deliver those segments so why stainless steel and not just steel for
automotive, forgot!? “RUST” that can easily eat away the whole engine compartment,
can weaken exhaust system mounts, and able to create air leaks.
Whereas stainless steel offers tremendous corrosion resistance, a wide yield strength
range, and a lighter weight that apparently reduces vehicles’ weight and benefits in
greater fuel efficiency and machinability rephrasing the whole thing into a reduced
amount of CO2 emissions.
Thus, after these long checkmarks of benefits, stainless steel offers an environmentally-
friendly approach too. Things are turning informative, then why not dig into some
more of it? Come let’s do it together.

2. Role of Stainless Steel Used in Automotive
Industry
Since the 1930s, the average count of 15 to 22 kilos of stainless steel gets used in a
single car which was mainly found in the exhaust system and sundry small parts.
In today’s date uses of stainless steel in automotive are also extended to other
automotive applications such as fasteners, springs, and tubing, as well as brackets,
flanges, substructures, and panels.
At younger ages, the cost of wielding was more expensive than now as the years
passed by – stainless steel types such as austenitic, martensitic, ferritic, and many
other stainless steels were discovered.
From all these stainless steel categories austenitic stainless steel became ideal to use
for the automotive industry due to its easy welding and long durability.
{Additional Information on Exhaust Systems: Where we saw the central importance of
stainless steel in exhaust systems, we might forget the role of its valves that perform
opening and closing operation that controls the gas flow and optimize the
engine-back pressure enabling exhaust systems to provide improved performance
and auditory control.
These exhaust valves get manufactured from bright bars – in different shapes such as
square, round, or hex and with particular grades as per the requirement.}
Uses of Stainless Steel in Automotive
Industry
Stainless steel grades – 303, 304, 316, 310, and 321 are sub-categorization of this
austenitic stainless. Let’s get on some uses and applications of these austenitic
stainless steel grades.
Why Stainless Steel Grade 303 For
Automotive Industry?
Due to the presence of sulfur, ss grade 303 is the most machinable austenitic stainless
steel among all. It can easily withstand heat temperatures from 760°C to continuous
service to 870°C.
However, due to the presence of sulfur, its corrosion resistance and toughness are
slighter lower than ss 304. In automotive parts which need more machinability such
as nuts/bolts, gears, screws, and shafts ss grade 304 gets in use.

3. Why Stainless Steel Grade 304 For
Automotive Industry?
Stainless Steel Grade 304 is the most versatile used stainless steel in all industries, its
chemical composition of 18% chromium and 8% nickel enables it to survive easily
in varying atmospheric environments.
In automotive, most requirements from the stainless steel side are of “crashworthiness”
[so its metal and functional parts can be recycled and reused] and “reliable safety”.
Due to its chemical composition, SS 304 helps to cover both of those segments easily
with an additional benefit of a reduction in noise and vibration.
Because of its exceptional formability, even a thin sheet of ss 304 can effectively
absorb energy and resist rusting. This 304 stainless steel grade is mostly used in
automotive building structures like gaskets, screws, horse fittings, and windscreen parts.
Why Stainless Steel Grade 316 For
Automotive Industry?
Where SS 304 stands first, SS 316 is the second most stainless steel grade used in
varied industries. Even their physical and mechanical properties contain similar
composition whereas the key point which makes SS 316 different from ss 304 is the
incorporation of 2 to 3 percent of molybdenum.
These differences enable SS 316 to be more ideal for corrosion resistance, especially
against chlorides and other industrial solvents. Application of Stainless Steel Grade
316 in automotive includes exhaust housings for catalytic converters and turbochargers.
Why Stainless Steel Grade 310 For
Automotive Industry?
SS Grade 310 is a heat-resistant austenitic stainless steel that is highly composed of
chromium and nickel content that offers superior corrosion resistance in oxidized
temperatures.
Due to excellent toughness grade 310 Stainless Steel is mostly adopted for cryogenic
temperatures such as -450°F, and low magnetic permeability. Shafts and coils are
the two applications of ss 310 in automotive.

4. Why Stainless Steel Grade 321 For
Automotive Industry?
Grade 321 stainless steel is particularly denoted as stabilized austenitic stainless steel,
with a composition consisting of at least 5 times more titanium addition than carbon
components. This higher ratio of titanium helps SS 321 to prevent the sensitization
of carbide precipitation during welding.
SS 321 offers unmatchable corrosion and oxidation resistance with the addition of
sufficient creep strength, it is mainly operated in high temperatures in automotive
parts such as exhaust systems that exhales 900 °C and above.
Key Note Takeaways
By not missing even one note from the blog, Let’s get on some quick check marks of
information we covered throughout the blog. Firstly the point viewed by us was on the
high ratio of stainless steel used by the automotive industry, then a long list of reasons
and benefits we get from it.
Then the stainless steel roles were and are transformed throughout the years and
treasured automotive industry with its austenitic stainless steel and its grades –
chemical composition and application in automotive and lastly ended with
applications of steel in automotive industry.
“So, is it good/bad that Automotives have adopted stainless steel?” – We think
even you may easily answer this now.
For a quick introduction between us, here are some brief you may like to get on,
We are Vishwa Stainless Pvt. Ltd. – a manufacturer and supplier of corrosion-resistant,
low-maintenance stainless steel bright bars includes hex/round/square shapes,
precision SS bright bars, and SS wires that cater according to industries’ requirements
not only on domestic but on international markets too with customized
specifications and dimensions.
Applications of Stainless Steel in
Automotive Industry
Fasteners
Springs
Tubing
Brackets
Flanges
Substructures
Panels
Exhaust system
Outer covering body
Hose clamps
Seatbelt springs
Catalytic converters
Turbochargers