Course Information

In this course, you will learn about stainless steel.  Stainless steel is a specialized type of steel which appears to be more complex than it really is.  

You will have access to the course for 90 days to work through the content.

There are over 100 different grades, each designed to address specific conditions. Understanding product properties, makeup and characteristics, provides an opportunity to make better informed decisions.

Many things have changed over the years including new grades, advanced processing practices, tighter tolerances and specifications, ISO Standards, production consistency, traceability, just to name a few.   

This course is designed to provide you with a high-level, simplified working knowledge of stainless steel; how and why it came to be; what the differences are between the grades and why; how product surface finishes are obtained; types of corrosion typically experienced; and what factors should be considered when selecting a grade.

Learners who successfully complete this course will earn a digital badge and certificate of course completion that can be shared on social media, downloaded as a PDF, and even embedded in an email signature.

Below is an overview of what you will learn in this course.

Course curriculum

  • 1

    Welcome to the course!

    • Before we begin...

    • Welcome from the Course Author, Scott Haddy

    • Course Information

    • Course Navigation

  • 2

    Lesson 1: Basic Steel Products and Steelmaking an Overview

    • Lesson 1: Learning Objectives

    • Basic Steel Products and Streams of Production

    • The Process of Making Steel

    • Stainless Steel Myths

    • What Rust is & How it Can be Minimized/Eliminated

    • The History of Stainless Steel – Research & Product Development

    • What Defines Stainless Steels?

    • Test your learning
  • 3

    Lesson 2: Chemical and Mechanical Properties of Steel

    • Lesson 2: Learning Objectives

    • Crystallization of Steel

    • Common Elements Used in the Production of Stainless Steel

    • Properties, Characteristics and Performance of Each Element on End Product

    • Mechanical properties - Yield Strength (YS), Ultimate Tensile Strength (UTS), Elongation, Hardness (Rockwell & Brinnell Hardness)

    • Test your learning
  • 4

    Lesson 3: Traceability and Mill Test Certificates

    • Lesson 3: Learning Objectives

    • Importance of Traceability

    • Mill Test Certificates (MTR)

    • Example MTR

    • Components of a Mill Test Certificate (MTR)

    • Test your learning
  • 5

    Lesson 4: Family of Stainless Steel

    • Lesson 4: Learning Objectives

    • Six Classifications of Stainless Steel

    • Manganese Substituted Austenitic SS (200 Series)

    • Austentic Stainless Steel (300 Series)

    • Ferritic & Martensitic Stainless Steel (400 series)

    • Precipitation Hardening Stainless Steel and Duplex Stainless Steel

    • Stainless Steel Comparator Guide

    • Family of Stainless Steel

    • Test Your Learning
  • 6

    Lesson 5: Surface Finishing of Stainless Steel

    • Lesson 5: Learning Objectives

    • Why Finishing May be Required

    • Polishing Process

    • Surface Roughness (Ra)

    • Overview of Six Primary Finishes - #4 Finish

    • Grit Finishes (180, 240, 320)

    • Blended Finishes - #6 Finish or Excelsior XL Blend S

    • Summary

    • Test Your Learning
  • 7

    Lesson 6: Corrosion of Stainless Steel

    • Lesson 6: Learning Objectives

    • General or Uniform Corrosion

    • Galvanic Corrosion

    • Pitting Corrosion

    • Crevice Corrosion

    • Intergranular Corrosion (or Sensitization)

    • Stress Corrosion

    • Design Guidelines for the Selection and Use of Stainless Steel

    • Test Your Learning
  • 8

    Lesson 7: Selection Factors, Applications & Truth About Stainless Steel

    • Lesson 7: Learning Objectives

    • Truths about Stainless Steel

    • Selection Factors to Consider

    • Application of Stainless Steel

    • Life Cycle and Affordability

    • Test Your Learning
  • 9

    Next steps

    • You're Almost Done

    • Before you go...

Course Author

Course Developer

Scott Haddy

Scott Haddy has been involved in the metals industry for over 42 years. During that time, Scott has been directly involved in a wide variety of disciplines including Operations, Metallurgy, Quality & Sales just to name a few. He was trained by a myriad of experienced mentors who positioned him to manage increasing levels of responsibility at one of Canada’s primary steel producers - Stelco Inc. During that time, Scott dealt directly and indirectly with a wide range of market sectors over a broad geographic base. Scott also held senior operational and technical management positions in firms involved in the metals distribution and processing sectors. He has been involved in flat rolled and long products, in both carbon and stainless steel, and presently provides consultation services through a company known as Metal Smart Consulting Services. Prior to entering the metals industry, Scott graduated from University of Toronto in Health Sciences – Nuclear Physics and McMaster University Engineering Dept – Metallurgy of Iron & Steel Certification.