Industries in Mexico have their needs and it is important to highlight the role of stainless steel as it is used in different sectors and according to the needs of each sector.
These days, it is essential to find a good stainless steel supplier such as Ulbrinox. That's why today, we will tell you about the types of stainless steel, their uses in different sectors and their impact on the country.
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Mexico is a country that stands out globally for its steel production capacity, ranking 15th, exporting more than 3 million tons of finished product to (mainly) the United States.
Stainless steel producers in Mexico
Mexico has mines in 11 states of the Mexican republic. The most prominent are those in the state of Coahuila, which in 2020 alone managed to produce almost 5 million tons of material.
On the other hand, Michoacán ranked second by producing 3.74 million tons and finally, the state of Nuevo León, which produced 2.84 million tons of other raw materials derived from stainless steel.
In addition to this, there are other states that have steel mines, among which Veracruz, San Luis Potosí, Puebla, Estado de México, Jalisco and Baja California stand out. And products range from plates to hot sheets and wires!
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What is stainless steel used for?
According to CANACERO (an autonomous body that promotes the development of sustainable practices) steel is used mostly in construction and represents 57.8%, followed by the automotive sector with 16.4% and in third place is mechanical machinery with 12.4%.
Similarly, its use in electrical and domestic equipment stands out. In this case, steel production in Mexico is focused mainly on recycling and has a percentage in its participation model of 38%.
It is important for you to know that there are also other sectors where stainless steel is used, such as medical equipment, oil and gas platforms, in the chemical and pharmaceutical sector and of course, in heat and energy generator systems.
What are the types of stainless steel?
- AISI 304. This is a stainless steel with excellent ductility properties as well as impact resistance. It has good corrosion resistance up to temperatures of 920°C and is ideal for welding processes.
- AISI 310. It is ideal for use in aggressive or hostile sectors. It has greater corrosion resistance than 304, as well as resistance to high temperatures and scale formation.
- AISI 316. It is an anti-magnetic steel, not temperable and its ductility and weldability properties are good. Adding molybdenum gives it considerably greater corrosion resistance than its competitors.
Learn more about stainless steel and its finishes here.
- AISI 416. It is a martensitic and ferromagnetic stainless steel. Its addition of sulfur generates high machinability and does not deteriorate its corrosion resistance, although it becomes brittle in heat and is difficult to use for welding.
- AISI 430. It is a magnetic steel, weldable and with excellent ductility. It is recommended to use it where an easy-to-work alloy is required and that can be molded into bending, punching or stretching shapes.
The impact of stainless steel on the industry
As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is clear that economies around the world have been affected and their industries as well. That's why the price of stainless steel worldwide has seen a considerable increase.
The main reason for this increase is the fact of the suspension of all activity, later when the reactivation occurred worldwide the production became accelerated and in itself the production could not keep up with the demand.
In addition to this, the number of errors also increased so some pieces have been discarded or reused in other sectors. And something even more important is that the rates have increased due to demand and slow production, in addition to the fact that China (which is a major producer) has decided to decrease its export to meet the needs of the country.
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