We have all hear of stainless steel but when you ask people what it actually is they are often unable to answer. Effectively stainless steel whether in stainless steel sheets, stainless steel wire or other stainless steel products it is a low carbon steel which contains chromium at 10% or more by weight.

It is the addition of the chromium to the carbon steel which gives it the ability to be able to resist corrosion. However, it is far more amazing than that because if becomes damaged mechanically or chemically then it has a film which is self healing proving oxygen is present.

The more chromium which is present within the low carbon steel then the more properties such as the above are increased. These properties can be enhanced further when other elements are added and a prime example of this is molybdenum, nickel and nitrogen.

Why Use Stainless Steel?

One of the main reasons why people choose to use stainless steel is because of its advantages and physical properties, the most popular is its corrosion resistance although there are many more.

The fact that it has such a resistance to high and low temperatures means that stainless steel can be used for a number of applications and throughout a number of industries. Whilst some stainless steel will retain high strength at high temperatures other stainless steels will actually maintain high mechanical properties at cryogenic temperatures.

A major reason that stainless steel is used is because of its sheer strength. This has been proven through its use in the building and construction industry. The aesthetic appeal which stainless steel has makes it a popular choice for many. Stainless steel is available in a range of surface finishes and the fact that it can also be polished makes it aesthetically pleasing to the eye.

Its long life cycle makes it perfect for use in buildings and puts it ahead of other products in the fact that it will outlast many of them. When you add in that stainless steel is easy to maintain and put these reasons together overall it is the lowest cost choice for many in a life cycle cost comparison.

As it is an environmentally friendly material because it is 100% recyclable any new stainless steel normally contains around 50-80% recycled material. Stainless steel is undoubtedly a valuable material which has many uses within a whole range of industries and without it we would have to use other materials which wouldn`t be as effective.

If you require stainless steel for whatever reason then contact BS Stainless Ltd. We are the independent supplier of stainless steel products and can offer a full range as well as a brilliant service to our customers.