Ferritic Stainless Steels

Ferritic stainless steels generally have better engineering properties than austenitic grades, but can have reduced corrosion resistance, because of the lower chromium content. They are also usually less expensive. They contain between 10.5% and 27% chromium and very little nickel, if any.
Barrett Stainless stock Grades
1:4003 – medium corrosion resistanceLow costpainted or HDG replacement
1:4509 (441) – Good corrosion resistantGood astheticsMedium cost Possible 304 replacement
1:4521 (444) – Good corrosion resistant good aesthetics medium cost Possible 316 replacement
1:4003
Is a low cost 12% chromium stainless steel with the corrosion resistance superior to that of carbon steel due to its higher chromium content.
As with other ferritic grades 1:4003 has an excellent resistance to stress corrosion cracking.
This grade can be used in most indoor applications requiring stainless steel but also in outdoor applications where aesthetics is not a major requirement.
Alternatively where aesthetics are of importance applying a protective coatings, like a paint systems is a common solution.