WHAT IS STAINLESS STEEL?
At the beginning of the 20th century, stainless steels were produced mainly in the chemical industry for applications requiring high corrosion resistance. Over the years, more than 100 types of stainless steel have emerged to withstand a variety of environments.
Stainless steels are steel alloys containing at least 10.5% chromium in their composition.
Thanks to their different chemical compositions, they show significant and different resistance to corrosion compared to unalloyed steels. Cr in the alloy makes the steel stainless and corrosion resistance can be increased by increasing the amount. It provides superior corrosion resistance, a dense ductile very thin oxide layer that is strongly attached to the surface. This thin layer has the ability to regenerate itself under suitable conditions.
The Ni in the content mostly ensures the ductility and easy forming of the steel. In addition to increasing the amount of Cr, with the addition of elements such as Ni and Mo Cu, Ti, Nitrogen, Al, the durability properties are increased and materials suitable for all kinds of needs are produced.
Stainless steels are collected in 4 main groups;
• Austenitic
• Ferritic
• Ferritic-Austenitic (Duplex)
• Martensitic
When compared with other steels, stainless steels are preferred due to their excellent corrosion resistance as well as the availability of different mechanical properties, their ability to be used at low and high temperatures, their longevity, easy shaping, aesthetic appearance, effortless cleaning, therefore being hygienic, recyclable and environmentally friendly.