This section provides an overview for stainless steel as well as their applications and principles. Also, please take a look at the list of 29 stainless steel manufacturers and their company rankings. Here are the top-ranked stainless steel companies as of November, 2024: 1.Central Blower Co., 2.Atlas Steel, 3.ATI.
Table of Contents
1983~1988: Worked at Terumo Corporation. Engaged in the design of automatic assembly and transport equipment for disposable medical instruments (syringes, needles, infusion sets).
1990~2015: Worked at Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. Engaged in research and development, international joint development, and design of aircraft engines.
2015 ~ Worked at Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Aero Engine Co., Ltd. due to spin-off. Engaged in technical management, R&D and intellectual property management. Currently working as a technical consultant, utilizing the company's side job and side job system.
Stainless steel is an alloy steel that contains more than 50% iron (Fe), less than 1.2% carbon (C), and more than 10.5% chromium (Cr) as its main constituent.
It is well known for its excellent corrosion resistance and rust resistance. It also has excellent properties in terms of heat resistance, workability, and strength. The name "stainless steel" derives from "stain" (rust) and "less".
Stainless steel is rust-resistant due to the formation of a thin film, known as a passive film, on its surface. Generally, when iron combines with oxygen, it becomes iron oxide and rust occurs. Chromium, however, binds to oxygen more easily than iron, and when chromium oxidizes before iron does, it forms a passive film that covers the steel surface and inhibits rust formation.
This property of chromium makes stainless steel resistant to rust. Adding nickel to stainless steel further increases its corrosion resistance, making it possible to obtain a stainless steel that is even more resistant to rust. However, even stainless steel can rust. Specifically, this is the case where the metal has been in contact with rusted metal for a long period of time or has been scratched.
The type of stainless steel is indicated by "SUS + number" as in "SUS304" or "SUS430." SUS is an acronym for "steel use stainless," and the number following it is the grade of stainless steel. SUS304" is a stainless steel used worldwide.
Stainless steel is used in a wide variety of fields, taking advantage of its excellent corrosion resistance. In precision equipment, home appliances, and industrial equipment, it is often used as exterior covers and mechanical parts.
The reasons include the fact that a clean appearance can be obtained without surface treatment, and because plating or painting is not required for dual rust-preventive purposes. Also, the lead time for parts is short, and under certain conditions, the use of stainless steel may be less expensive than the use of ordinary steel.
Another advantage is its excellent heat resistance and heat retention properties due to its low thermal conductivity. At home, stainless steel is used for spoons, forks, and kitchen sinks. In addition, due to its high strength and hardness, stainless steel is sometimes used as a roofing material for large facilities such as dome stadiums, and for parts that play an important role, such as turbine blades and brake discs used in jet aircraft.
It has very high corrosion resistance and can be classified into five types according to alloy ratios and other factors, each with different characteristics.
Martensitic stainless steel is composed mainly of chromium and carbon and does not contain nickel. It has high hardness due to the formation of a hard metallic structure called martensite by heat treatment. However, it is more susceptible to rust and has the lowest corrosion resistance in harsh environments compared to other types of stainless steel.
Like ordinary steel, it is characterized by its magnetic properties (magnets stick to it). The main applications of martensitic stainless steel include blades, nozzles, turbine blades, and disc brakes.
Ferritic stainless steel is mainly composed of chromium and does not contain nickel. After austenitic stainless steel, ferritic stainless steel has excellent corrosion resistance and is suitable for press work because it remains soft with little hardening after heat treatment.
Its main applications include building interior materials and gas and electric appliance parts. Another characteristic of ferritic stainless steel, such as SUS430, is its magnetic properties.
Austenitic stainless steel is composed mainly of chromium and nickel and forms a metallic structure called austenite at room temperature. It has excellent corrosion resistance, heat resistance, and weldability, and is used in various fields, including household items such as spoons and forks, automotive parts, and construction supplies.
Precipitation hardening type stainless steel is composed mainly of chromium and nickel, to which elements such as aluminum and copper are added. They are then subjected to a precipitation hardening treatment, a heat treatment similar to quenching and tempering, to improve hardness by utilizing precipitation of intermetallic compounds of these elements. Although not as resistant to corrosion as austenitic stainless steel, it is superior to ferritic stainless steel.
SUS630 is a precipitation hardening stainless steel.
Duplex stainless steel is a mixture of austenitic and ferritic stainless steel. A typical example is SUS329J1.
*Including some distributors, etc.
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Central Blower Co., established in 1964 and headquartered in Pomona, United States of America, is a manufacturer of custom centrifugal blowers and blower wheels. The company manufactures backward-inclined blowers, forward-curved blowers, and direct-drive blowers. It produces parts and heat slingers, laboratory accessories, and restaurant exhaust fans. The products are used in food, laboratory, development, and machinery industries. The company serves the OEM market including the bakery industry, oven manufacturers, and custom air conditioning manufacturers.
Regal Rexnord Corporation, established in October 2021 as a combination company of Regal and Rexnord, is a manufacturer and service provider of motors and conversion systems. Its parent companies have over 125 years of industry experience, with its products powering HVAC systems, smart buildings, agricultural and food service equipment, and conveyor systems. As a producer of motors and related components, Regal Rexnord supports various industries such as healthcare, food and beverage, and pharmaceutical production. Their global presence spans over 220 sites, and their product range and services include AC/DC drives, bearings, blowers, conveyor technologies, and predictive maintenance solutions.
Trinity Brand Industries, founded in 1989 and located in Burr Ridge, Illinois, is a supplier of tool room specialty products to the industrial market. The company offers a full line of tool room products, which include stainless steel shim, brass shim, aluminum shim stock sheets, titanium coils, and sheets. Its products come with traceability and a Material Test Report (MTR) included with all materials. Pre-cut slotted shims, feeler gage strips, and coils are also available. Its fabrication services include laser cutting, waterjet cutting, wire EDM, and 3D industrial printing.
ATI is an American custom valve automation equipment manufacturer that was established in 1995 in Houston, Texas. The company primarily produces hydraulic and pneumatic valve actuators for linear and quarter-turn linear valve models, power systems (e.g. accumulators, gas bottles), and control systems such as limit switches and solenoids. It also offers custom design, machining and production of equipment as well as retrofitting and repair services to customers requiring additional support. ATI chiefly serves clients in the oil and gas, power generation, chemical processing, and mining industries.
JFE Steel America, Inc., a subsidiary of JFE Steel Corporation and established in 1994, is located in North Kingstown, Rhode Island, and is a manufacturer and supplier of flat-rolled steel products. Their product offerings include galvanized steel with a zinc coating for corrosion protection, cold-rolled steel with improved strength and smoother surface, hot-rolled steel used for beams, plates, and bars, stainless steel resistant to corrosion and high temperatures, and alloy steel with enhanced strength, toughness, and corrosion resistance. JFE Steel America's products find applications in diverse industries like construction, automotive, and manufacturing.
All Foils, Inc. was established in 1980 in Strongsville, Ohio, US, as a foil coverter and supplier of light-gauge metals. It offers pressure-sensitive adhesives, laminated products, toll services, and specialty metals. The company keeps a large stock of aluminium foils, copper foils, carbon steel, stainless steel, nickel, and other exotic metals in various alloys and tempers.These materials play a role in the production of components, structures, equipment, and devices, showcasing their significance in modern industrial and technological applications. The company caters to the medical and pharmaceutical industries, automobiles, cosmetics, and food industries, among others.
Roda Specialty Steel Inc., established in 1956 and headquartered in Buffalo Grove, Illinois, and also having additional warehouse facilities in Daytona, New Jersey, United States, is a distributor of stainless steel bars and related products manufactured by Rodacciai S.p.A., Italy. The company offers a range of steel bar products, including stainless steel wire, alloy bars, and specialty carbon bars. It also offers free-cutting carbon steel suitable for high-speed cutting tools and welding consumables.
Atlantic Stainless Co., Inc., founded in 1983 and located in North Attleborough, Massachusetts, is a distributor of stainless steel and high-temperature alloys. The company offers a broad range of products that include stainless steel sheet, round bar, flat bar, angle, and stainless steel plate. These products have general use in industries such as construction, manufacturing, food and beverage, chemical and pharmaceutical, and aerospace. The company’s products provide materials that are used for corrosion resistance, durability, and high-temperature performance across applications and sectors.
Nippon Seisen, established in 1951 and headquartered in Osaka, Japan, is a manufacturer of stainless steel wires and metal fibres. The company's main products are types of stainless steel wires including spring wires, micro wires, shaft wires and cold heading wires which are applied to vehicles, air crafts, office automation appliances, electric appliances, medical instruments, commodities and leisure goods. It also offers high alloy titanium wires and metal fibres under the brand name NALSON used for cushioning materials, heat resistance and anti-static application.
SANYO SPECIAL STEEL Co., Ltd. was founded in 1935 and is a manufacturer and supplier of various steel products based in Himeji, Hyogo, Japan. The company produces steel based products such as rolled steel, cut rings, bimetallic steel materials, metal powders, and steel bars. The products are used and applied in various industries such as automobiles, industrial machines, plants, and manufactures. The company has obtained ISO 14001 certification for environmental management system and enacted policies to reduce CO2 emissions from the business.
Outokumpu, in Helsinki, Finland, in 1932 is a manufacturer of stainless steel. The company's product portfolio includes Cold rolled coil strips and sheets, Hot rolled coil strips and plates, Quarto plates, Precision strips and Specialized components. The company serves industries such as Oil and Gas, Aerospace and Defense, Automotive and Transportation, Construction, and Power Generation. They have production facilities in Finland, Germany, Mexico, Sweden, the UK and US and global distrubution and sales channels.
Daido Steel Co., Ltd., originally founded in 1916 in Japan, is a manufacturer of alloy and tool steels. The company offers a wide range of products that include mechanical construction steels, superalloys used in engine components, welding wires, alloy powders, and permalloy foil. Daido Steel Co., Ltd.'s specialty steel products are used in the automotive parts, industrial machinery parts, electrical machinery parts, and welding markets. The company has diversified to include businesses in real estate, insurance, and the provision of welfare services and has expanded operations outside of Japan in North America, Asia, and Europe.
Aichi Steel Corporation, established in Tokai, Aichi, in 1934, is a manufacturer engaged in special steels and materials for the Toyota Group. The company's product range includes Steel Bars and Rods, Structural Steel,Steel Pipes and Tubes. The company also manufactures materials other than steel, such as stainless steel, titanium and magnetic materials. In 2011 the company developed a magnet production technology using MAGFINE powder with 30% less alloy and established the Silicon Valley Office in the USA.
Nippon Steel is a general stainless steel manufacturer in Japan since 1998. The company manufactures steel materials, including sheets, coils, pipes, and various other forms. They cater to a diverse range of industries that benefit from stainless steel solutions. Some of the industries that extensively rely on Nippon Steel Stainless Steel Corporation's products include automotive, construction, oil and gas, manufacturing, and infrastructure development. Their stainless steel products find applications in automotive parts, architectural structures, pipelines, machinery, and equipment, among others.
Gebr. Kufferath AG, established in 1925 and headquartered in Düren, Germany, is a manufacturer of technical weaving solutions. The company has industrial mesh, process belts, and metal fabrics divisions. Its industrial mesh division produces meshes and filter media for shielding, cleaning, and dewatering in the automotive, aerospace, and food processing industries. Its process belts are made of mesh and spirals and are used in pellet production and sludge dewatering. For architectural purposes, its metal fabrics division offers solutions for building façades, interior design elements, and safety systems. The company also emphasizes CO2 reduction, green hydrogen, and microplastic filtration macro trends.
North American Stainless, established in 1990 and based in Carroll County, Kentucky, USA, is a manufacturer and supplier of stainless steel products. The company's product range includes hot and cold rolled coils, plates, hot and cold rolled sheets, strips, and wire rods. These products serve industries such as transportation, industrial equipment & engineering, food, and household appliances. They are utilized in household appliances, transportation vehicles, infrastructure development, and environmental technology solutions. The company also provides stainless steel production across various grades like austenitic, ferritic, duplex, and martensitic.
TOKUSHU KINZOKU EXCEL Co. Ltd. is an ISO 9001-certified manufacturer of precision metal materials that was established in 1940 in Tokyo, Japan. The company produces various performance alloys designed for flexibility, durability, or magnetism. These include electrical heating alloys, soft magnetic iron steel, and shape memory alloys. The company also offers contract manufacturing for custom or industry-specific material orders. It primarily serves clients in the aerospace, digital consumer products, and semiconductor manufacturing sectors.
VELO ACCIAI S.R.L. is based in Ezzelini, Treviso, Italy, and is an OHSAS 18001-certified manufacturer of industrial fittings that was established in 1980 as a sister company to VLS Technologies. The company offers stainless steel fittings for regulating or connecting fluid movement networks, as well as catwalks and stairs for height access or positioning. It also offers related stainless steel components for customizing or optimizing fluid network installations. The company’s products are used mainly by clients in the chemical processing, recreational beverages, and petrol industries.
United Performance Metals, founded in 2008 and headquartered in Hamilton, Ohio, United States, is a manufacturer and supplier of high-temperature alloys and stainless steel. The company offers various specialty metal solutions, including nickel alloys, titanium alloys, and stainless steel alloys. Its services include cut-to-length, leveling, and custom re-rolling. It also offers finishing options to its laser customers by incorporating high-production deburring machines and packaging. Its specialty steel is primarily used in aviation and aerospace parts and structures.
Nippon Steel Corporation is based in Tokyo, Japan, and is an ISO 9001-certified manufacturer of steel production materials and steel products established in 1970 following the merger of Yawata Iron & Steel and Fuji Iron & Steel. The company produces steel parts for industrial projects, flat or wire steel products, and steel plates. It also offers chemicals used for metal treatment, including carbon materials, coal tar, and coke. The company also provides plant construction and engineering services for its clients in the energy distribution, shipbuilding, and railway sectors.
Ranking as of November 2024
Derivation MethodRank | Company | Click Share |
---|---|---|
1 | Central Blower Co. |
10.3%
|
2 | Atlas Steel |
8.9%
|
3 | ATI |
7.4%
|
4 | Regal Rexnord Corporation |
7.1%
|
5 | JFE Steel America, Inc. |
6.1%
|
6 | North American Stainless |
6.0%
|
7 | Atlantic Stainless Co., Inc. |
5.7%
|
8 | Trinity Brand Industries, Inc. |
5.0%
|
9 | Roda Specialty Steel, Inc. |
4.8%
|
10 | All Foils, Inc. |
3.8%
|
Derivation Method
The ranking is calculated based on the click share within the stainless steel page as of November 2024. Click share is defined as the total number of clicks for all companies during the period divided by the number of clicks for each company.Number of Employees
Newly Established Company
Company with a History
*Including some distributors, etc.
*Including some distributors, etc.
Country | Number of Companies | Share (%) |
---|---|---|
United States of America | 9 | 42.9% |
Japan | 6 | 28.6% |
China | 2 | 9.5% |
Finland | 1 | 4.8% |
Italy | 1 | 4.8% |
Taiwan | 1 | 4.8% |
India | 1 | 4.8% |
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