Stainless steels

... Stainless Steels - An introduction Stainless steels are defined as high-alloy steels that have superior corrosion resistance than other steels because they contain large amounts of chromium. They contain between 4 and 30 percent chromium, however most contain around 10%. Stainless steel does not stain, corrode, or rust as easily as ordinary steel (it stains less), but it is not stain-proof. Carbon steel rusts when exposed to air and moisture. This happens since the 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. They can be divided into three basic groups

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