Density
Carbon steel has a slightly higher density than ferritic and martensitic stainless steels, but slightly lower than austenitic stainless steels.
Resistivity
Resistivity increases in the order of carbon steel, ferritic, martensitic, and austenitic stainless steels.
The order of linear expansion coefficient is similar, with austenitic stainless steel having the highest density and carbon steel having the lowest.
Carbon steel, ferritic, and martensitic stainless steels are magnetic, while austenitic stainless steel is non-magnetic. However, magnetism develops during cold working and hardening to form a martensitic phase. Heat treatment can be used to eliminate this martensitic structure and restore its non-magnetic nature.
Compared to carbon steel, austenitic stainless steel has the following characteristics:
High resistivity, approximately five times that of carbon steel.
Large coefficient of linear expansion, 40% greater than that of carbon steel, which increases with increasing temperature.
Low thermal conductivity, approximately one-third that of carbon steel.
