Stabilized stainless steel

From GAWDAwiki

Plain Cr-Ni stainless steel may be susceptible to weld decay due to formation of chromium carbides in the HAZ during welding. Stabilized stainless steel avoids weld decay by adding "stabilizing" elements, such as niobium or titanium, to the steel. These elements form carbides preferentially to chromium over a wide temperature range, freeing the chromium to provide a corrosion-resistant passive film. Stainless steels containing niobium or titanium are said to be "stabilized."^[1]

References

1. http://www.bocindustrial.co.uk/bocindustrial/technical/glossary/a.asp