
We’re all familiar with stainless steel and see if everyday in kitchens and industrial situations. To most of us it is “that bright shiny metal that doesn’t rust easily” – but what exactly is it?
Stainless steel is technically defined as a steel alloy with a minimum of 10% chromium content by mass.
Stainless steel does not stain, corrode, or rust as easily as ordinary steel. Stainless steel differs from carbon steel by amount of chromium present. Carbon steel rusts when exposed to air and moisture. This rust or iron oxide film is active and accelerates corrosion by forming more iron oxide. Stainless steels have sufficient amount of chromium present so that a passive film of chromium oxide forms which prevents further surface corrosion and blocks corrosion spreading in the metal’s internal structure.
There are different grades and surface finishes of stainless steel to suit the environment to which the material will be subjected in its lifetime, so it is important to specify a grade of stainless steel that is appropriate to your application.
Here at AllbriteEngineering we specialise in the fabrication of stainless steel for a variety of purposes. Contact us if you have a stainless steel project you need help with…