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DESIGNER
HANDBOOK S TA I N L E S S
STEEL FOR
HANDRAILS,
RAILINGS &
BARRIER
A P P L I C AT I O N S
INCLUDED INSIDE :
Directory of Stainless Steel
Railing Producers
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T A B L E O F C O N T E N T S
•
INTRODUCTION 1
G E N E R A L I N F O R M AT I O N O N S TA I N L E S S S T E E L 1
A P P L I C AT I O N S 2
FA B R I C AT E D R A I L I N G S A N D H A N D R A I L S 3
C ABLE AND TENSION A SSEMBLIES 6
BARRIERS AND BALCONIES 8
D I R E C T O RY O F S TA I N L E S S S T E E L
RAILING PRODUCERS inside back cover
S TA I N L E S S S T E E L P R O D U C E R S back cover
The information included in this tion with the use of this information. There may be organizations with
handbook has been prepared for the The reader is advised that the equivalent or substitute products
general information of the reader material contained herein should not or capabilities that have not been
based on information obtained or be used or relied on for any specific included because they have not been
otherwise available to the Specialty or general application without first identified by or come to SSINA’s
Steel Industry of North America securing competent advice with attention. Anyone that produces,
(SSINA). SSINA and the individual respect to its suitability. fabricates, installs or distributes
companies it represents have made The information has not been inde- stainless steel residential building
every effort to ensure that informa- pendently validated by SSINA and and construction products is encour-
tion presented is technically correct. the inclusion of organizations and aged to submit information describ-
However, neither the SSINA nor its descriptions or their products or ing their products or services for
member companies warrants the services does not constitute or possible inclusion in future editions
accuracy of the information contained imply any endorsements thereof of this guidebook and its directory
in this handbook or its suitability of the accuracy of the information insert. Inclusion in the guidebook
for any general and specific use. contained herein. and the wording of descriptions are
The SSINA assumes no liability or at the discretion of SSINA.
responsibility of any kind in connec-
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S T A I N L E S S S T E E L S are iron-based alloys containing 10.5% or more
chromium. Other elements are added and the chromium content increased to
improve the corrosion and heat resisting properties, enhance mechanical proper-
ties, and/or improve fabricating characteristics.
Reference is often made to stainless steel in the singular sense as if it were one
material. Actually there are well over 100 stainless steel alloys. Three general
classifications are used to identify stainless steels. They are: 1. Metallurgical
Structure. 2. The AISI numbering system: namely 200, 300, and 400 Series num-
bers. 3. The Unified Numbering System, developed by the American Society for
Testing Materials (ASTM) and Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE), to apply to
all commercial metals and alloys.
The various types of stainless steel are detailed in a designer handbook, Design
Guidelines for the Selection and Use of Stainless Steel available from the Specialty
Steel Industry of North America (SSINA). Several other publications are also
available, including: Stainless Steel for Residential Applications, The Care and
Cleaning of Stainless Steel, Stainless Steel Finishes, Stainless Steel Specifications
and Stainless Steel Architectural Facts, to mention a few.
G E N E R A L I N F O R M AT I O N O N S TA I N L E S S S T E E L
•
ALLOYS 2205 has a duplex structure which is
The following grades of stainless steel typically about equal parts of austenite
are often used in structural applications: and ferrite (21% chromium, 4.5% nickel,
304 has an austenitic metallurgical 2.5% molybdenum UNS 32304). It
structure. It is the basic “18-8” alloy (18% has excellent corrosion resistance and
chromium, 8% nickel UNS S30400), is the exhibits about twice the yield strength
most readily available grade, and is often as conventional grades.
specified for “all-purpose” applications.
It has excellent corrosion resistance and CONDITION
unusually good formability. Stainless steel is usually available in the
316 is basically a 304 grade with the “Hot Rolled and Annealed” condition and
addition of 2 to 3 percent molybdenum has a yield strength of about 42 ksi. The
(UNS S31600). It has greater corrosion austenitic grades can be hardened by cold
resistance than 304 and is usually working the material. 301 (UNS S30100),
preferred for long-term service in a modification of 304, (with the chromium
aggressive industrial, chemical and and nickel lowered slightly to increase the
seacoast atmospheres. work hardening rate), can be supplied in
409 has a ferritic metallurgical structure. various “tempers” up to full hard with
It is a straight chrome alloy (11% to 12% a yield strength of 140 ksi.
chromium UNS S40900). It has good The American Society of Civil Engineers
ductility and corrosion resistance. It is (ASCE) has a standard ANSI/ASCE 8–90,
mainly used for internal applications. “Specification for the Design of Cold
Formed Stainless Steel Structural Members,”
410-3 is a dual phase alloy (UNS S41003)
which details the design information on
with micro alloy element control that per-
mits welding in up to 1 1/4 inches (30mm). “cold formed” stainless steel.
1
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G E N E R A L I N F O R M AT I O N O N S TA I N L E S S S T E E L
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PRODUCT FORMS Many structural shapes are produced by
The forms of stainless steel used in fabricating the plate into beams, angles
structural applications are: plate and and other components.
sheet (often fabricated into structural SHEET Sheet is defined as material that
shapes), extrusions, forgings, preformed has a thickness of less than 3/16"
products (tubes and angles), bar and rod, (Table 1), and is usually supplied in
wire, and castings. either 48 or 60 inch wide coils.
PL ATE Plate is defined as material that
has a thickness of 3/16" or greater
(Table 1). It is usually available in widths
of 48, 60, 72 and 96 inches. It can be
supplied as individual flat plates or in “coil”
form (some limits on thickness and width).
Table 1 C L A S S I F I C AT I O N O F S TA I N L E S S S T E E L P R O D U C T F O R M S *
ITEM DESCRIPTION DIMENSIONS
Thickness Width Diameter or Size
Sheet Coil and cut lengths: under 0.1875" (4.76mm) 24.000" (609.6mm) and over —
Hot Rolled No. 1
Cold Rolled No. 2D, 2B, under 0.1875" (4.76mm) 24.000" (609.6mm) and over
Bright Annealed, TR
Polished No. 3, 4, 6, 7 & 8 under 0.1875" (4.76mm) 24.000" (609.6mm) and over
Strip Coils and cut lengths: under 0.1875" (4.76mm) under 24.000" (609.6mm) —
Hot Rolled No. 1
Cold Rolled No. 2D, 2B, under 0.1875" (4.76mm) under 24.000" (609.6mm)
Bright Annealed, TR
Polished No. 3, 4, 6, 7 & 8 under 0.1875" (4.76mm) under 24.000" (609.6mm)
Plate Coils and cut lengths: 0.1875" (4.76mm) and over over 10.000" (254mm) —
Hot Rolled, annealed & pickled
Polished available for 0.1875" (4.76mm) and over over 10.000" (254mm)
special applications
Bar Straight lengths: — — 0.250" (6.35mm)
Hot finished rounds, squares, and over
octagons and hexagons
Hot finished flats 0.125" (3.18mm) and over 0.250" (6.35mm) to —
10.000" (254mm)
Cold finished rounds, squares, — — 0.062" (1.59mm)
octagons and hexagons and over
Cold finished flats — 0.375" (9.53mm) and over —
Rod Hot Rolled coils may be annealed — — 0.200" (5.54mm)
and/or descaled and over
Wire Cold finishes only: — — 0.500" (12.7mm)
Rounds, squares, octagons and under
and hexagons
Flat wire (coils only) 0.010" (0.254mm) to 0.062" (1.59mm) to
under 0.185" (4.76mm) under 0.375" (9.53mm)
Pipe & Several different classifications with differing specifications are available.
Tube For information on standard sizes, consult your local Steel Service Center or the SSINA.
Extrusions Not considered “standard” shapes, but available.
Currently limited in size to approximately 6.50" (165.1mm) diameter circle, or structural to 5.00" (127mm) diameter.
2 * Ingots, Slabs, Hot Bands, Angles and Rolled Shapes are also available
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EXTRUSIONS Stainless steel can be No. 2B A bright, cold rolled finish result- No. 7 A highly reflective finish that is
extruded into several complex shapes ing in the same manner as No. 2D finish, obtained by buffing finely ground surfaces,
as detailed in the Designer Handbook except that the annealed and descaled but not to the extent of completely remov-
The Selection and Use of Stainless Steel. sheet receives a final light roll pass ing the “grit” lines. It is used chiefly for
Also contact: through polished rolls. This is the general architectural and ornamental purposes.
Al Tech Specialty Steel Corporation purpose, cold rolled finish that can be No. 8 The most reflective surface
(716-366-1000) used as is, or as a preliminary step obtained by polishing with successively
Plymouth Tube Company to polishing. finer abrasives and buffing extensively
(1-800-323-9506) POLISHED FINISHES until all grit lines from preliminary
FORGING Stainless steel forgings are No. 3 An intermediate polish surface grinding operations are removed. It is
also available in several shapes. obtained by finishing with a 100-grit abra- used for applications such as mirrors
PREFORMED PRODUCTS Angles are sive. Generally used where a semifinished and reflectors.
available as a hot rolled product. polished surface is required. A No. 3 finish BRIGHT ANNEALED A bright, cold-rolled, high-
•Hot rolled and cold rolled shapes, as usually receives additional polishing during ly reflective finish retained by final annealing
well as cold-drawn ”shapes“ can also fabrication. in a controlled-atmosphere furnace.
be made from stainless steel as detailed No. 4 A polished surface obtained by TR FINISH (TENSILE ROLLED) The finish of
in the Designer Handbook The Selection finishing with a 120-150 mesh abrasive, products resulting from cold-working an
and Use of Stainless Steel. following initial grinding with coarser annealed and descaled or bright-annealed
•Tubular products are commonly used for abrasives. This is a general-purpose bright product sufficiently to obtain mechanical
structural applications either in round or finish with a visible “gain” which prevents properties higher than that normally
square sections. Further information mirror reflection. obtained. Appearance will vary depending
is available from the Specialty Tubing No. 6 A dull, satin finish having lower upon the amount of cold work required
Group (202-342-8400). reflectivity than No. 4 finish. Generally and the alloy ordered.
•Bar and Rod: Bar is defined as hot not available.
finished or cold finished rounds, squares,
octagons and hexagons and flats
(Table 1).
A P P L I C AT I O N S f o r Ra i l i n g s
WIRE Wire is cold finished only, produced
in coils, as round, square, octagon, and Handrails
hexagon, and flat wire (Table 1).
C A STINGS Stainless steel casting can be COMMERCIAL INDUSTRIAL
produced for structural applications. For Churches Wastewater treatment plants
information, contact the Steel Founders’ Balconies Oil and chemical tanks
Society of America (847-299-9160). Hospitals Airport towers
Guard towers Observation towers
Schools
STANDARD MECHANIC AL RESIDENTIAL
Diving towers
SHEET FINISHES Homes
Hotels
(ASTM A480) Basements
Theaters
UNPOLISHED OR ROLLED FINISHES Attics
Theme parks
No. 1 A rough, dull surface which results Decks
Boats
from hot rolling to the specified thickness Lofts
Office buildings
followed by annealing and descaling. Fire escapes
No. 2D A dull, matte finish which results Spas
from cold rolling followed by annealing Modular homes
and descaling, and may perhaps get a Pools
final light roll pass through unpolished
rolls. A 2D finish is often used for roofing.
3
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F A B R I C A T E D R A I L I N G S A N D H A N D R A I L S
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T E N S I O N A N D C A B L E A S S E M B L I E S
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PHOTO CREDIT THIS PAGE
ARTISTJames Carpenter Design Associates
Tripyramid Structures, Inc.
FABRIC ATION
ENGINEERING ( STRUCTURAL ) Dewhurst
MacFarlane and Partners
©
PHOTOGRAPHY Brian E. Gulick
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B A R R I E R S & B A L C O N I E S
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