Stainless steel is the term used to describe an extremely versatile family of engineering materials,which are selected primarily for their corrosion and heat resistant properties. All stainless steels contain principally iron and a minimum of 10.5% chromium. At this level, chromium reacts with oxygen and moisture in the environment to form a protective, adherent and coherent, oxide film that envelops the entire surface of the material. This oxide film (known as the passive or boundary layer) is very thin (2-3 namometres). [1nanometre = 10-9 m]. The passive layer on stainless steels exhibits a truly remarkable property: when damaged (e.g. abraded), it self-repairs as chromium in the steel reacts rapidly with oxygen and moisture in the environment to reform the oxide layer. Increasing the chromium content beyond the minimum of 10.5% confers still greater corrosion resistance. Corrosion resistance may be further improved, and a wide range of properties provided, by the addition of 8% or more nickel. The addition of molybdenum further increases corrosion resistance (in particular, resistance to pitting corrosion), while nitrogen increases mechanical strength and enhances resistance to pitting.
As a leading supplier in stainless steel, our products come in coil, sheet and plate as well as precision strip, pipe, wire rod, rebar, bar and more. Stainless Steel is suited to a wide range of environments. Choosing the right Grade is the key to maximize performance and minimize the Cost.
Although all of our stainless steels offer strength, durability, workability, easy cleaning and corrosion resistance, our experts are ready to help you choose the right stainless steels grade for the best possible outcome. We can help ensure that the chosen material will do what it was designed to do, whether this involves resisting aggressive fluids, abrasive materials or impacting utensils, or removing unwanted cooking smoke, heat and vapors quickly and efficiently.
