Acier inoxydable — histoire, structure, propriétés et usages

Repères

~10.5%Cr min

304 / 316Icon

~15 W/m·KK

A1Fire

Cr2O3 passiveFilm

metalsFamily

Acier inoxydable is one of 32 materials in this atlas, grouped under metals: history, structure, measured properties, process routes, uses, safety and market — not a product catalogue.

Scores compare Acier inoxydable with the rest of the atlas on strength, heat, fire behaviour, insulation, workability and circularity. They are editorial, not certificates.

Seven chapters follow. Fire and insulation claims name test families (Euroclass, ASTM E84, ISO 5660, KS F) rather than inventing a single safety number.

Introduction approfondie

Deep dive: Acier inoxydable

Acier inoxydable (Fe–Cr–Ni (±Mo, N, C)) is a family of grades whose density ~8.0 g/cm³, heat band ~1400–1450 °C, and fire letter A1 metal.

What “the material” actually is

Acier inoxydable is sold as grades, not as a single substance. Chemistry Fe–Cr–Ni (±Mo, N, C), density ~8.0 g/cm³, heat band ~1400–1450 °C.

This atlas treats Acier inoxydable as a system: mill route, coatings, tests and the cavity it sits in.

Heat, fire and insulation

Conductivity note: ~15 W/m·K (austenitic). Insulation score 10/100 is relative to 32 entries — metals lose, VIPs and aerogels win.

Fire letter in editorial use: A1 metal. Do not equate A1 with “safe in a blaze” or E with “illegal”. Assemblies decide.

How it is made and used

Origin: 1913 Brearley / Strauss, Sheffield / Essen. The process chapter follows feedstock → conversion → forming → finish → install.

Uses span buildings to defence / safety. Pairings matter: steel.

Market and circularity

Producers below are landmarks, not an endorsement ranking. Prices are bands, not live quotes.

Circularity mark 68/100. Ask which scrap, which certificate, which year.

Profil

Résistance 74

Résistance à la chaleur 76

Performance au feu 86

Isolation 10

Ouvrabilité 70

Circularité 68

Questions fréquentes

Is Acier inoxydable non-combustible?

Declared reaction class in this atlas: A1 metal. Assemblies still need resistance tests.

Does Acier inoxydable insulate?

Thermal mark 10/100 versus the atlas. Conductivity note: ~15 W/m·K (austenitic).

What is the density band?

~8.0 g/cm³

How is it made?

Origin story: 1913 Brearley / Strauss (Sheffield / Essen).

Can it be recycled?

Circularity mark 68/100 — editorial, route-specific.

Typical melting or failure heat?

~1400–1450 °C

What should it be paired with?

steel: The parent without the chromium film.

Where is it specified?

Buildings, transport, energy and consumer goods — see the uses chapter.

Icônes

Harry Brearley

United Kingdom · 1913

Harry Brearley is a reference point in the public image of Acier inoxydable.

Chrysler Building crown

United States · 1930

Chrysler Building crown is a reference point in the public image of Acier inoxydable.

Gateway Arch

United States · 1965

Gateway Arch is a reference point in the public image of Acier inoxydable.

304 sink

Global · postwar

304 sink is a reference point in the public image of Acier inoxydable.

Duplex riser

North Sea · 1980s–

Duplex riser is a reference point in the public image of Acier inoxydable.

Shinkansen skin bits

Japan · 1964–

Shinkansen skin bits is a reference point in the public image of Acier inoxydable.

Surgical 316L

Global · 20th c.–

Surgical 316L is a reference point in the public image of Acier inoxydable.

Krupp V2A

Germany · 1912

Krupp V2A is a reference point in the public image of Acier inoxydable.

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Repères