Stainless steel is one of the most versatile and commonly used metal materials since its inception over 100 years ago. It is used across many industries where it can take the form of solid blocks, plates, or sheet metal. Stainless steel products will be made from different mixtures (alloys) of metals depending on the properties needed. For example, stainless steel toilets will need very different features to stainless steel handrails. Typically, stainless steel will be made from a mixture of iron and carbon with other metals such as chromium, manganese, silicon, nickel, and molybdenum. Each added metal gives the final steel different and useful properties.
Stainless steel has a wide range of useful properties across a range of applications. In general, stainless steel products have great tensile strength and are corrosion resistant due to the metals added to the iron in this alloy. The resistance to rust is due to the alloyed metals corroding before the iron, forming a thin film that protects the iron from exposure to oxygen. Other alloying methods can produce easily formable or very ductile materials (meaning it is easily drawn out) which can be useful for forming into sheets for a range of stainless steel products. Finally, many stainless steel types are very hygienic, being easily cleaned, and have no pores for contaminants to remain in. This is very useful for sanitary applications such as stainless steel toilets.
Stainless steel products have been a staple of the engineering industry for decades, is easily produced, and mitigating many of the iron’s undesirable properties. Products such as stainless steel toilets and stainless steel handrails can be manufactured to exceptional quality by Southern Cross Laser and Sheet Metal.
