You have surely often heard that an object is made of stainless steel so it does not rust. After all, stainless steel has somehow become a synonym for rustproof steel. We want to explain what that is all about. We also answer the important question of whether steel can rust, and you will further learn which conditions must be met for steel not to rust.
We explain what to watch out for when working rustproof stainless steel and give practical examples of where this material is used. And at the very end, we cover which stainless steel alloys you can buy from us and which services around rustproof steel we offer.
What is rustproof stainless steel?
There is not just one rustproof stainless steel. Rather, the term covers a group of stainless steel alloys whose composition gives them particularly high corrosion resistance. Alongside resistance to rust, visual reasons also lead many customers to choose stainless steel.
It is considered particularly high-quality and is made for permanent use, including in challenging environments. Because non-rusting steel can be produced in large quantities and relatively cheaply, it has become indispensable to our everyday lives.
Which stainless steel is rustproof?
Decisive for whether steel can rust or not is the proportion of chromium - it is the most important element in rustproof stainless steel alloys. The proportion must be at least 10%, though chromium contents between 12 and 20% are usual. A further criterion for non-rusting steel is a low carbon content.
To improve an alloy's corrosion resistance further, titanium, molybdenum or nickel can be added. Because these constituents are used in different concentrations, there is a great variety of rustproof stainless steel grades.
Can stainless steel rust?
It is particularly important to us to point out that stainless steel is not completely rustproof. With proper storage and use, however, you will hardly have problems with corrosion. But if you do not follow a few important rules, stainless steel can very well rust:
- No contact with steel particles: it is important that you use only tools that have not come into contact with ordinary steel to work stainless steel.
- Never destroy the protective layer: stainless steel is surrounded by a protective layer of chromium oxide. If you destroy it through chemical or mechanical influences, your stainless steel product will begin to rust.
- Store separately: stainless steel objects should never be kept together with objects made of rusty steel - otherwise, film rust can lead to corrosion on the stainless steel.
What are the fields of use of rustproof stainless steel?
As already mentioned, rustproof stainless steel is a very popular material thanks to availability, price and robustness. You will find it, for example, in kitchens, where it is used for cookware, worktops and cutlery - since stainless steel is easy to clean, it is ideal for this purpose.
Industry also relies heavily on production plants and containers made of stainless steel: after thorough cleaning, other products can be manufactured on a production line or kept in transport containers. The construction industry uses components made of high-quality stainless steel alloys both outdoors and indoors. Rustproof stainless steel is also important in shipping, because there are alloys that are highly resistant to salt water.
Mechanical properties of rustproof steel
The mechanical properties, too, must be considered in light of the different types of rustproof stainless steel. The alloys belonging to the austenitic steels can be hardened by cold forming, which can be done by press-brake bending.
The elastic modulus of stainless steel, at a value between 193 and 204 kN/mm², is only marginally below that of ordinary steel. The coefficient of expansion, however, is considerably higher for stainless steel alloys than for steel - something to pay particular attention to when planning load-bearing structures. Metals from the group of duplex steels can be an alternative here, because they do not have an elevated expansion coefficient and are thus very similar in properties to structural steel.
What do you need rustproof stainless steel for?
Are you about to implement a small or larger project? Have the material properties of stainless steel convinced you? It makes no difference whether you are a model maker working with small, delicate parts or want to replace solid plates of 8 mm stainless steel sheet on your house - the challenges are the same.
Although stainless steel sheet is widely and frequently used, it is not merchandise offered on every street corner. That is partly because cutting and further processing sheets is far more difficult than with wood, for example.
You can certainly turn to a metal fabrication provider in your area - but they are probably not really interested in handling a small order from you. So that you do not have to wait long for a quotation and delivery, you can also turn to us with confidence.
ESC Burg - the best partner for rustproof steel
We have specialised for many years in manufacturing stainless steel sheets to customer order. We hold no stock of finished products; we work exclusively to customer order. Thanks to lean processes, we can also accept small orders from private individuals - with no difference in prioritisation or production speed. That was particularly important to us when we developed our business model.
It was also important to us to stand by our customers not just as sellers but as advisers. That is why you will find no anonymous online shop with us - instead, you contact our sales staff. In a short, focused consultation, we take down your request and can advise you on the various properties of the stainless steel alloys.
We work 100% to your specifications
Depending on how thick your desired sheet is, various cutting processes are used - all of them guaranteeing millimetre-accurate results and absolutely precise cuts. Most cutting processes are computer-aided and also enable complex shapes.
With our forming and surface treatment departments, we can offer and take over further processing steps for you - so that in the end, only the installation or joining of several components for your project remains. Since we almost always hand orders over for dispatch within 48 hours of receipt, you will not have to wait long for your made-to-measure rustproof stainless steel products. We are happy to advise you on our offer without obligation.
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