The genesis of the Schaeffler diagram in the history of stainless steel

The Schaeffler diagram is regarded through a historical perspective in order to review Anton Schaeffler's life (1919–2001) and to analyze the genesis of the famous structural abacus that made him known throughout the world and still serves as a reference today. The equivalence coefficients of addition elements complementary to chromium and nickel, either alpha formers or gamma formers, were at the heart of the subject. The crystallographic structures of many standard steels, and hence several of their mechanical properties, can be partly predicted before manufacturing on the sole basis of their chemical compositions. A chronological review helps to understand the creative work that was done during this initial research.