What is stainless steel application?
In metallurgy, stainless steel, also known as inox steel or inox from French "inoxydable", is a steel alloy with a minimum of 10.5% chromium content by mass.
Stainless steel does not readily corrode, rust or stain with water as ordinary steel does. However, it is not fully stain-proof in low-oxygen, high-salinity, or poor air-circulation environments. There are different grades and surface finishes of stainless steel to suit the environment the alloy must endure. Stainless steel is used where both the properties of steel and corrosion resistance are required.
Stainless steel differs from carbon steel by the amount of chromium present. Unprotected carbon steel rusts readily when exposed to air and moisture. This iron oxide film (the rust) is active and accelerates corrosion by forming more iron oxide; and, because of the greater volume of the iron oxide, this tends to flake and fall away. Stainless steels contain sufficient chromium to form a passive film of chromium oxide, which prevents further surface corrosion by blocking oxygen diffusion to the steel surface and blocks corrosion from spreading into the metal's internal structure. Due to the similar size of the steel and oxide ions, they bond very strongly and remain attached to the surface.
Passivation occurs only if the proportion of chromium is high enough and oxygen is present.
Stainless steels of various kinds are used in thousands of applications. The following gives a introduction of the full range:
- Domestic–cutlery, sinks, saucepans, washing machine drums, microwave oven liners, razor blades
- Architectural/Civil Engineering–cladding, handrails, door and window fittings, street furniture, structural sections, reinforcement bar, lighting columns, lintels, masonry supports.
- Transport–exhaust systems, car trim/grilles, road tankers, ship containers, ships chemical tankers, refuse vehicles.
- Chemical/Pharmaceutical–pressure vessels, process piping.
- Oil and Gas–platform accommodation, cable trays, subsea pipelines.
- Medical–Surgical instruments, surgical implants, MRI scanners.
- Food and Drink–Catering equipment, brewing, distilling, food processing.
- Water–Water and sewage treatment, water tubing, hot water tanks.
- General–springs, fasteners (bolts, nuts and washers), wire.
Our JAWAYSTEEL is the original manufacturer of stainless steel products, if you have any further questions or inquiry please feel free to contact us at sales@jawaysteel.com.
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