Martensitic stainless steel have the highest strength but also the lowest corrosion resistance of the stainless steel. Martensitic steels with high carbon contents are used for tool steel. Due to their high strength in combination with somecorrosion resistance, martensitic steels are suitable for applications where the material is subjected to both corrosion and wear. An example is in hydroelectric turbines.Martensitic grades of stainless steel were developed in order to provide a group of stainless alloys that would be corrosion resistant and hardenable by heat treating. The martensitic grades are straight chromium steels containing no nickel. They are magnetic and can be hardened by heat treating. The martensitic grades are mainly used where hardness, strength, and wear resistance are required.
