A CNC lathe can be used to turn a variety of stainless steel types, each with special qualities and uses. Here's a summary of the common types of stainless steel used in CNC turning:

l Austenitic Stainless Steel: The most popular kind of stainless steel used in CNC turning is austenitic stainless steel, like 304 and 316, because of its superior formability, machinability, and corrosion resistance. Architectural elements, medical implants, and food processing equipment are just a few of the many uses for them.

l Martensitic Stainless Steel: In comparison to austenitic grades, martensitic stainless steels, like 410 and 431, have greater strength and hardness. Though more challenging to machine, they are utilized in applications requiring high wear resistance and strength, like bearings, pump parts, and cutting tools.

l Ferritic Stainless Steel: The least expensive kind of stainless steel is ferritic, which comes in grades 409 and 430 and has better corrosion resistance but lower strength than austenitic grades. They are appropriate for uses like appliance parts, home utensils, and automobile parts where affordability and resistance to corrosion are crucial factors.

l Duplex Stainless Steel: Duplex stainless steels, like S31803 and S32304, combine the austenitic grades' resistance to corrosion with the high strength and hardness of martensitic grades. They are employed in hard applications like seawater pumps, chemical processing equipment, and offshore oil drilling equipment where both high strength and corrosion resistance are essential.

l Precipitation-Hardening Stainless Steel: Stainless steels that precipitately harden, like 17-4PH and 630, have a high degree of strength and hardness, which can be further improved by heat treatment. They are utilized in high-performance springs, surgical instruments, and aerospace parts, among other applications that call for extraordinary strength and wear resistance.

Stainless steel is chosen for CNC turning based on the particular application requirements, taking into account aspects like strength, resistance to corrosion, cost, and machinability. Getting advice from knowledgeable material engineers and CNC machinists can help you choose the best grade of stainless steel for your particular requirements.