The Worthy Of Stainless Steel

Over the past century, stainless steel has arisen asmetal, homeowners and businesses have chosen to
the first metal of choice for many applications. Youincorporate stainless steel tools. One business has
will find stainless steel at the top of skyscrapers, ineven commented, "Replacing carbon steel tools with
your sink and in your hands as you use tools andstainless steel tools eliminates this risk and should be
various other objects. But is stainless steel really allconsidered a standard operating procedure for any
that great? How does it compare to other metals?modern facility." [4] High-risk jobs require reliable tools
Here is some basic information about stainless steelthat won't corrode or break during use. No one likes
to examine its worth and popularity compared toto find a tool rusted when it is needed for a
other metals.particular job in the house, and homeowners can't
What is stainless steel?afford to continually buy replacement tools.
Stainless steel may be defined as an alloy of iron andHardware made of stainless steel benefits the user
carbon with a chromium content from 10.5 - 11.5%.with all the above qualities of stainless steel. Today
Metallurgists began working to form stainless steel inyou can find stainless steel hardware from basic nuts,
the 19th century, but it was not until the early 20thbolts, screws and chain. You'll also find highly
century that stainless steel became mass-producedspecialized and complex fittings and hardware used
and widely used. The chromium content is the secretfor rigging and marine applications.
to the stain-resisting properties. When chromiumWhat about other metals?
comes into contact with oxygen it creates a filmOne of the most common elements in the entire
called chromium oxide that encases the steel anduniverse is iron. Because of its abundance and
provides a sort of barrier against corrosion.relatively easy accessibility, iron has been a popular
Whenever the layer of chromium oxide is breached,metal for tools and various other objects for several
it will "self-heal" and continue to create another filmmillennia. Cast iron is used to make bicycles, machines
as the exposed chromium interacts with oxygen.and hardware. Yet, iron metals may break and are
Can stainless steel rust?easily susceptible to rust. Rusting takes place
Yes. It is important to note that while stainless steelwhenever iron materials come into contact with
does strongly resist any form of corrosion, it is notoxygen and water (moisture). Because of this liability,
completely immune to corrosion and rust. While onlyrusted iron loses integrity and can become dangerous
gold and platinum are entirely impervious to corrosion,in critical situations.
stainless steel is the most economical choice forNickel is a metal commonly used as an alloy. Even the
endless applications. The best way to preventnickel as currency is 75% copper. Nickel is commonly
stainless steel from rust and corrosion is to keep itused as a metal in cast iron or even stainless steel.
clean. When kept clean, this steel can come intoHowever, nickel is seldom used as a metal unto itself.
contact and withstand diverse environments andAs was stated earlier, titanium stands out as one of
chemicals. Abrasive materials can break down thethe only elements in nature that is of itself
ability of stainless steel to resist corrosion. Whenevercompletely rust resistant. Titanium is uniquely light,
cleaning an item made of stainless steel, refrain fromdurable and dent resistant. Yet, with all of these
using abrasive materials or brushes. Soft cloths andqualities, titanium needs to be refined and is not
various kinds of soap are recommended as long asnormally produced in vast amounts. This results in
they do not contain chloride.high prices. Normally, titanium will be included in an
Stainless Steel Gradesalloy such as stainless steel or aluminum. Sometimes it
The most common grades are 304 (18% chromium,will show up in watches or even wedding rings, but
8% nickel) and 316 (16% chromium, 10% nickel, andagain, only in small amounts because of supply and
2% molybdenum. Grade 304 is the most versatilecost.
and widely used stainless steel. Originally it was calledZinc is another metal, like nickel, that is better applied
18-8 because of its chromium and nickel content.in alloys. Often times it is used to coat other metals
Grade 316 has superior corrosion resistance and isfor corrosion resistance. Architects increasingly
often referred to as the "marine grade stainlessemploy this material for its UV resistance, natural
steel" and is used in food and laboratory equipment,tones and corrosion resistance.
medical devices, threaded fasteners, and marineOne of the most common and cheapest metals is
applications. Grade 302 has given way to 304 due toaluminum. When in its pure form, this metal is
availability and price but is still found in items such asrelatively weak and impressionable, but when united
washers and springs.to other metals in alloys it becomes much stronger. If
How has it been used?aluminum is used for critical applications, it appears as
Stainless steel is perhaps one of the most broadlyan alloy. Because this material is so light and cheap,
applied metals in the world today. One will findmost large objects (cars, planes) that require a large
stainless steel in everything from buildings, to wristmetal structure incorporate aluminum as an alloy.
watches, from monuments to skate blades. In 1930These metals (and a few others) each have their
the Chrysler Building in New York City was erectedown particular benefits. Rarely will any of these
and capped with 302 grade stainless steel. A recentmaterials constitute a single object by themselves.
inspection of this building reveals the durability ofNormally, objects are a composition or alloy of
stainless steel and its resistance to the elements asseveral of these metals. Even though stainless steel is
no corrosion or loss of thickness was found. The St.always composed of iron, carbon and chromium, it
Louis Arch is the largest man-made monument in themay have these other metals as well. All things
United States. The concrete arch is covered withconsidered, it should be noted that stainless steel as
nine hundred tons of stainless steel from top tosuch is a superior metal in a lot of ways. It is
bottom. [3] Ever since 1965 when the arch wasextremely strong, stain resistant, and can be
completed, cleaning is the only maintenance the 603fashioned to fit many different applications.
ft. monument has needed.While titanium and gold may be stronger and more
While the average person may not always havedurable, their cost makes them an impractical material
contact with these two monumental structures, mostfor objects when stainless steel can accomplish the
people interact with stainless steel products everyjob with extreme efficiency and lower cost. The
day. Many household appliances from cabinets togrowing popularity of stainless steel over the past
sinks to dishwashers consist of stainless steel. Thiscentury has not happened by accident. If you are
metal is chosen often in the kitchen because of itsconsidering purchasing a tool, appliance or building a
durability and sharp aesthetic appeal with only thenational monument, you should employ the superior
occasional cleaning necessary to maintain its look.qualities of stainless steel. Without a doubt, stainless
Stainless steel is not merely good for aesthetics, butsteel is worth the extra cost as it returns years of
many tools are now made from stainless steel.durable service in whatever form it is used.
Because of the superior strength and durability of the