Metallurgical Principles and Practice of Engineering (PE) Study Guide: Question #38

It Is the Policy of The Minerals, Metals & Materials Society (TMS) to Encourage the Professional Registration of Metallurgical Engineers.
Your partners are trying to understand why 316 stainless steel is more expensive than 304. You explain that it is because of the higher nickel content and the presence of molybdenum. They ask what is the purpose of the higher nickel content. What should you tell them?

(A)	The added nickel maintains the stability of the austenitic structure, offsetting the ferrite-forming tendency of the molybdenum.
(B)	Nickel is added to increase the hardenability of the 316.
(C)	The nickel content maintains the machinability of the material, offsetting the negative effect of the molybdenum.
(D)	The extra nickel precipitates the carbon throughout the grain interiors, rendering the material much less susceptible to intergranular attack in aqueous media.

The information on this page is maintained by the Nellie Luther (natale@tms.org).

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