The most common use of stainless steel is in medical equipment and dental instruments. There are two particular reasons for this:
- Stainless steel can be very easily sterilized, making it ideal for hygienic locations such as a hospital.
- Stainless steel is corrosion-resistant, and for places such as a kitchen or a chemical industry, it is perfect.
Corrosion is when a material degrades due to oxidation. Metal rust because of corrosion, but stainless steel never rusts. This is proof that stainless steel is resistant to corrosion and exactly why stainless steel is so instrumental in cooking because acidic foods do not affect it.
Stainless steel is unique because, unlike other materials that do not allow change but have a short life span; stainless steel can go up to fifty years without changing, And takes approximately 1200 years to decompose.
Chromium and nickel make stainless steel important because chromium creates a thin layer to protect the surface in case of oxidation. And nickel makes it hygienic.
Galvanizing or zinc plating material may protect the metal from oxidation as well, but they both have a high maintenance fee. Stainless steel, however, does not have any high maintenance and is durable, making it the better choice. Protective coating protects the metal from oxidation and is expensive, while stainless steel is a one-time investment.
Type 304 stainless steel is the best stainless steel available, while type 409 is the cheapest. Type 201 and 202 are not entirely resistant to corrosion and may show signs of corrosion in coastal areas and near water.
We at Fort Bend Steel Supply can provide you with different types of stainless steel. We can also offer you maintenance and repair for the products. Call us at (281) 499-5800 to inquire further.