Stainless Steel Metal Glossary

IMA - Improved Machinability Alloy

Enhanced machinability grades that achieve the improved machinability without the addition of elements like Sulphur that have a negative effect of other properties.

Related terms: Free Machining Stainless Steels

Immunity

In corrosion terms a thermodynamically stable condition. In other words there is no corrosion attack.

Inclusion

Non-metallic particles within the microstructure. Some, sulphides and selenides, are deliberately formed in the metal during its manufacture, others are an inevitable result of melting and casting. Good practice dictates that the second type be kept to minimal levels as they are deleterious.

Related terms: Free Machining Stainless Steels

Inter-granular Corrosion

Preferential, concentrated, corrosion attack at the grain boundaries. It is highly deleterious and usually caused by the precipitation of carbide particles in the grain boundaries after welding or incorrect thermal processing.

Related terms: Sensitisation, Sensitised, Weld Decay