Why Does Stainless Steel Rust? We understand its Causes and Solutions
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November 23, 2023
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Why does Stainless Steel rust?
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Stainless steel is one of the types of steel with the greatest properties for use in different types of industries, but it is not suitable for everything.
There are other steels, such as galvanized, which is cheaper and lighter, although it does not have the beauty of stainless steel, among other properties.
We invite you to continue reading and know how to differentiate them and where you can use each of them.
The base steel is an alloy of iron and carbon, from here many other types of steel can be obtained.
Steel today can be found wherever we go, it is even part of our daily environment, work, car, kitchens, etc.
The benefits that this metal offers us are countless, but we must consider that for each specific function we must use the appropriate steel.
There are more than 5000 types of steel, something that is overwhelming if we want to study them all.
It is normal that there are doubts about which is the best steel or rather the most suitable.
Whenever you are going to carry out a project, you should be inform and look for true specialists in the area, at Pérez Precision Works we have dedicated ourselves to this for more than 2 decades.
Each type of steel is created with a different alloy, in order to fulfill different specific functions.
The additional elements added in the alloys allow each type of steel to have specific properties.
A common question among our clients is, between stainless steel or galvanized, which is the right one?
This question does not have a single answer, our recommendation will always be to study your needs and look for the steel that has the greatest benefits adapted to them.
Each type of steel has properties that make it suitable for different projects.
In this article we will focus on seeing the advantages of stainless steel and galvanized steel, its composition and specific functionalities.
Stainless steel is a variation of steel that is obtained by adding chromium to the metal composition, the amount of chromium added must be greater than 10 % of the alloy.
The presence of chromium is what gives this type of steel its name, thanks to the fact that when it comes into contact with the oxygen in the atmosphere, it creates a protective layer.
The corrosion of the iron present in stainless steel is neutralized by this layer.
There are even variations within the same stainless steel, these have been achieved by adding elements such as nickel and molybdenum,
These variations have been created for different industries where higher qualities than those of common stainless steel are necessary.
The advantages of stainless steel are many, let's see some of them.
Corrosion resistance: As we mentioned before, the presence of chromium in the stainless steel alloy gives its main property.
When exposed to the elements of the environment, rain, snow, sun, metals it begins to wear and corrode, this does not happen with stainless steel.
Chrome creates a clear protective layer that keeps it safe from corrosion and also allows light scratches and scuffs to regenerate.
Durability: In the projects of quality stainless steel you have the certainty that no matter the conditions or demands in which your work has been tested, it will maintain its properties.
Design and flexibility: This is one of the qualities that makes it one of the favourite materials when a project needs to be customized.
It allows us to obtain forms that we could not with other metals.
It is used in the design of kitchens, where it is possible to be adapted to the size and conditions of the space, and outdoors such as building facades or monuments.
This for its durability or extravagance, in addition to this,the brightness of its surface gives elegance and visibility to each of the spaces where it is used.
Maintenance and hygiene: Price is not one of the advantages of stainless steel, it is more expensive than most commercial steels.
However, once the initial investment has been made, the maintenance cost is very low.
Keeping it clean and free of impurities does not require any process or special products, which makes maintenance cheaper without undermining its properties over time.
Recyclable: In this new era of green and conservationist trends by the population, companies must adapt to them, stainless steel is perfect for it.
One of its main features is that it is 100%recyclable and reusable, it can be used in new projects while maintaining all its qualities.
Galvanized steel is achieved by covering common steel with layers of zinc, this is done in order to protect it from rust.
This process is known as galvanizing, hence the name of this type of steel, it is done by immersing the steel in molten zinc at high temperatures.
The galvanizing process can also be carried out by applying zinc-rich paints, with the use of guns or even brushes.
The quality of galvanized steel made with this process is lower. The applications of galvanized steel are just as extensive as those of stainless steel.
We can find it in pipes, signaling signs, constructions, wires, fences, among others.
Corrosion Resistance: Like stainless steel, galvanized steel is resistant to corrosion.
Layers of zinc bonded to the metal create a barrier against rust and corrosion.
Low cost: Galvanized steel is much less expensive than stainless steel.
This is one of the reasons why galvanized steel is widely used. proportion in many projects.
The use of stainless steel in these projects is limited to the spaces with greater exposure to environmental elements.
Durability: It changes depending on the environment where it is installed, but even in the most corrosive environments its durability is decades.
Being a low-cost material and in turn having this durability, makes it an excellent material for carrying out projects with modest budgets.
Maintenance: The maintenance that must be done to stainless steel is almost zero, which is added to its low cost compared to stainless steel.
It can be cleaned and additional coats of paint can be applied to maintain its properties for a longer time.
Making a comparison between stainless steel and galvanized steel could only be done knowing exactly where these materials will be used.
The advantages of stainless steel and galvanized steel are many more, here we have given you the most important ones.
Both materials have aspects that make them suitable for different circumstances.
If you are not sure which steel is best for your needs, contact us, at Pérez Precision Works we advise you.
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