Why doesn't stainless steel rust

Why the popularity of stainless steel will not rust?

Stainless steel, discovered in 1913 by metallurgist Harry Brearley is undisputedly one of the best innovations in the last 100 years which has played an important role in the arena of kitchenware and utensils across the world. Despite stai less steel s numerous qualities of having high tensile strength, low maintenance cost, longevity and scratch-resistance features, it is most preferred over other metals because it is corrosion resistant.

Stainless steel is an alloy of several metals who form a stable film on the surface of the steel and prevent it from further corrosion. It is made up of iron, chromium, manganese, silicon, carbon and sometimes traces of nickel and molybdenum. When the steel is exposed to water or air, these alloying elements react with water and oxygen to form a thin stable film of corrosion products like metallic oxides and hydroxides. Stainless steel utensils do not rust easily because of the stable film present which acts as a barrier to access of water or oxygen to the inner surfaces of the steel utensil and hence prevents formation of further more isi le orrosi e layer o o ly alled as rust .

Almost all stainless steel products contain around 10% of chromium in their composition hi h is the iggest o tri utor of stai less tag of the steel. Stai less steel ook are s popularity continues to grow with improving life standards and disposable income levels in the Emerging Markets like India, Mexico and China. Stainless steel is also favoured over other materials because it does not require any paint, never corrodes under normal conditions and has lighter weight which reduces its life cycle costs, making it the least expensive material cookware to be used.

Steel cookware has been the antidote to growing food poisoning and water contamination cases in the developing countries. Stainless steel by its chemical nature is almost inert to the acids or alkalis released by cooked food and additives, etc. Stainless steel cookware has flourished due to its success in maintaining hygiene and sanitation because of its easy cleanability. It is easy in formability and hence favourites of the product designers, thereby leading to more varieties and different shapes of utensils being made of it.

In a nutshell, the demand for stainless steel utensils will continue to grow in line with robust industrial recovery in the emerging economies plus the aforementioned advantages of stainless steel including its corrosion-resistant property which distinguishes it from the other metals.