Which is more resistant to high temperature, carbon steel or stainless steel?

In the field of industrial production and materials science, the selection of the right materials is crucial to ensure the durability and performance of equipment and structures. Especially in the high temperature environment, the high temperature resistance of the material becomes an important consideration. When comparing traditional carbon steel with modern stainless steel, we need to analyze the performance of both under high temperature conditions.

First, let's look at carbon steel. Carbon steel is an iron-based alloy with a low carbon content, usually no more than 2.11% carbon. The strength and hardness of this material are relatively high, mainly thanks to the carbon element in it, which can enhance the hardness of the material. However, carbon steel has a relatively low toughness, which means it may break more easily when subjected to impact or stress. In terms of high temperature resistance, carbon steel is not outstanding, it is usually only stable at temperatures of about 350 degrees Celsius. Beyond this temperature, carbon steel may lose its mechanical properties and even undergo structural deformation.

In contrast, stainless steel performs well in high temperature resistance. Stainless steel is an iron-based alloy that contains a high proportion of chromium, usually at least 10.5%. The role of chromium in stainless steel is crucial because it is able to react with oxygen to form a dense protective film of chromium oxide on the surface of the material, which prevents further oxidation and thus provides oxidation resistance. In addition, stainless steel also has good corrosion resistance, because in many corrosive environments, the protective film can prevent the direct contact between the corrosive medium and the metal surface. The high temperature resistance of stainless steel can usually reach 525 degrees Celsius, but different types of stainless steel, such as 304, 316 and 321, their high temperature resistance is also different. In particular, 316 stainless steel, due to its additional molybdenum composition, its high temperature resistance is particularly outstanding, able to withstand temperatures up to about 800 degrees Celsius, which makes it an ideal choice for high-temperature industrial applications.

Based on the above analysis, we can conclude that stainless steel is significantly better than carbon steel in terms of high temperature resistance. This advantage makes stainless steel an ideal structural material in high-temperature industrial environments, especially for applications where the material is required to maintain stability at extreme temperatures. Whether in the chemical, energy or aerospace sectors, stainless steel's high temperature resistance makes it an indispensable material choice.