What is Stainless Steel?

Used for many industrial, architectural, chemical and consumer applications for over half a century, stainless steel is essentially a low-carbon steel, which contains chromium at 10.5 percent or more by weight. Isteel coilt is this addition of chromium that gives the steel its unique stainless, corrosion-resisting and enhanced mechanical properties.

The chromium content of the steel allows the formation of a rough, adherent, invisible corrosion-resisting chromium oxide film on the steel surface. If damaged mechanically or chemically, this film is self-healing, providing that oxygen, even in very small amounts, is present. The corrosion resistance and other useful properties of the steel are enhanced by increased chromium content and the addition of other elements such as molybdenum, nickel and nitrogen. Nickel also gives stainless steel a lustrous and brighter appearance which is less gray than steel that has no nickel.