When nickel or nitrogen is added to steel, it becomes "austenite" by nature. The chemical composition determines the specific grade of stainless steel, while the austenite crystalline structure in the material is a key characteristic. In the annealed condition it is important to note that Austenitic stainless steel is often characterized as non-magnetic, however cold rolling austenitic steel, or reducing its thickness and increasing its hardness, introduces a certain amount of magnetism to the material. It’s known for its formability, making it excellent for fabrication, and its resistance to corrosion.
Chemical Composition: Austenitic stainless steel contains at least 10.5 percent and 8 to 12 percent nickel, as well as nitrogen, carbon, and many other elements in solution. Chromium is what gives the steel it’s the high corrosion resistance, while nitrogen is a stiffening agent.
Austenite Crystalline Structure: A stainless steel that presents an austenite crystalline structure in addition to the face-centered-cubic lattice structure is present throughout both hot and cold temperatures. Nickel, Magnesium, and Nitrogen are stabilizing elements for the austenite structure.