Hello everyone! I need help with a material : Stainless Steel 316. Does any of you ever created a process with it in Simapro? I need to include it in my LCA but I am not very sure on how to integrate its composition with that available on the software (steel chromium 18/8).
Dear Noemi
I used Wikipedia, as ever! In metallurgy stainless steel has 10.5% chromium by mass.See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stainless_steel. Alloying processes generally do not add much impact in themselves (check compared to your overall impacts, it's a heating process almost entirely), so think about just including the relevant masses you want as separate entities.
I am alive!!! There's more I could say but I hate these public threads. Also well done on the paper.
Kindest
Phil
Noemi
The 316 grade (or 1.4404 in EN Standards) is a stainless steel with the principle alloying element proportions of 18% Cr 8%Ni and 2% Mo (Molybdenum). If whatever you are using doesn't have precise grade definitions then look for a generic description of 18/8/2 (or possibly 17/8/2). The 18/8 refers to the leaner alloyed 304 (1.4301) type steel which has no Mo.
The alloy content of stainless steels has a big impact on stainless steels both in terms of corrosion resistance and cost. The Mo containing steels being more corrosion resistant but more expensive than the non-Mo steels. If neither of those matter to you then you can use the 18/8 designation.
Cheers
Graham Gedge
ok...I defer to Graham...looks like he's using much better sources...P
Phil, I should have confessed to being a metallurgist and most of my work is in corrosion/corrosion control in the built environment. Naturally that means I know a thing or two about stainless steels. Mind you, I haven't much of a clue about LCA :-)
Cheers
Graham
Thanks Phil and Graham.
I had a look online about the composition of a SS316 the only thing is that I don't think I should put only the mass composition, but also the energy emitted due to the manufacturing, transport etc. In Simapro there is the general process of SS 18/8 but if at that process I add the composition of ss316 I have the feeling I am over estimating the impact.
Noemi
In terms of energy consumption during manufacture and transport for SS316 and 304 the costs will be so similar as to make no difference. You could probably use the data for the 18/8 with confidence.
Also note that stainless steel have very high recycled content (the scrap has intrinsic value at end of life) and most new steel is produced via the electric arc furnace route rather than blast furnace.
For more info on sustainability related to stainless see:
http://www.outokumpu.com/en/sustainability/sustainable-operations/environmental-performance/Pages/default.aspx
http://www.sustainablestainless.org/planet
which may have some useful background information.
Cheers
Graham Gedge
Thanks, I will use 18/8 then if in the meantime I don't find a more precise solution.
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