Stainless Steel

What Is Stainless Steel?

The name stainless steel is given to a certain group of high tempered steel alloys that are resistant to corrosion. This high level of resistance is due to chromium oxide build up on the surface of the metal. Ordinary carbon steel corrodes easily from rain. This corrosion is seen as a brown oxide, which we call rust.

Once the rust begins it will eventually overtake an entire piece of metal. To reduce this, a coating that is 10% chromium is added. This then transforms the surface of ordinary steel into what we call stainless. There are several types or grades of stainless steel available for public use.

The simplest form of stainless steel is the one most commonly found in products like knives and razor blades. Basic steel is considered to be ferrite. The manufacturers increase the carbon content. This type of steel is harder to weld and is brittle. It is labeled type S42000 and is in the family of Martensitic steel.

Kitchen sinks are made form a different type of stainless steel, Austenitic. S30400 is also used in the production of building facades and food processing equipment and chemical piping. These are in the family of duplex stainless steels. They are created from 50% ferrite and 50% austenite. The most common duplex stainless steel is 2205 including both S31803 and S32205 and these are used for hot water tanks.

The higher the nitrogen content that is added to the ferrite and austenite makes it even stronger and this is the steel that seafaring tankers and naval ships. The amount of nitrogen needed to form this strong steel is 0.15%.

There is one more family of stainless steel and this is the one used in the aerospace industries and by manufacturers of equipment for the defense department. A typical example of this is S17400. These stainless steel products also incorporate other metals into their formulas for more structural integrity. These are the beams you will see used to put up skyscrapers.

A final thought about stainless steel is that it is recyclable. This makes it a green material, which has of late become very important in most countries. The grades that contain nickel can bring a lot of money if recycled. The beauty of this is that the recycling makes a new form of stainless steel that can be used to make different products. Most of the steel sold today has been made using the recycled steel of yesterday.

About the Author

Jonathan is an R&D specialist at
metal decking
experts D-Mac Industries. Jon studies the endless uses of
steel deck
in structural engineering applications.

What foods are best cooked in good quality stainless steel cookware? I’m planning to…?

I am planning to purchase Calphalon Contemporary cookware, however I’m having a difficult time deciding between the stainless steel or the nonstick. The exterior on the stainless steel is absolutely beautiful, however I’m concerned with my food sticking to the pans. Instead of buying a set of one or the other, I’m thinking I should buy each piece individually. So I’d like to know, what foods are best cooked in stainless steel and why?

I cook just about everything in good stainless steel pans. I love mine. Stainless heats up pretty fast and holds the heat. You’ll find yourself cooking at slightly lower temperatures.

I want pans that I can bang around in the kitchen. I don’t want to work to hard at taking care of them. I don’t want glass lids that I can’t replace if I drop one.
There’s nothing wrong with buying a starter set, but I prefer to buy pans as I need them. Most of my pans don’t match. That is fine with me. They are my tools, I didn’t by them to decorate the kitchen.

I have: 4 stainless saucepans. 1 stainless skillet. 3 cast iron skillets. 1 heavy rolled steel wok, 1 stainless stock pot.
I use the cast iron for most frying, Stainless steel for almost everything else. I prefer the stainless skillet for searing meats that I’m going to braise in the oven.

I also own several pieces of Corning ware and Pyrex glassware that I use in the oven.

How it’s made – Stainless steel ( RO Sub )

1 string stainless steel necklace /N-593 $7.80

1PC 14G Hollow Heart Inlaid Crystal Navel Ring Body Piercing Stainless Steel Bar $0.59

Ying Yang Water Fire Stainless Steel Italian Charms Bracelet Quartz Watch BC875 $17.99

Stainless Steel Gold Silver Heart Beauty Ladies Bracelet 7.5″ WB020 $0.99

INFANTRY Lume Sport Mens Wrist Watch Silver Stainless Steel Date Day Week Black $9.99

MENS 316L STAINLESS STEEL SILVER TONE PUNK COOL ARMOR FINGER RING #11 GIFT $5.35

Two Tone Gothic Style Stainless Steel Hoop Earrings E195 $4.99

Mens Black Rope Woven Leather Magnet Stainless Steel Bracelet Wristband LB188 $0.79

Men’s Vintage Silver Stainless Steel Ring US Size 13 RA2040013 $0.99

Cool Men’s Batman Symbol Logo Silver Tone Punk Stainless Steel Bead Bail Pendant $2.29

NEW MENS #10 ARMOR WARRIOR KNIGHT 316L STAINLESS STEEL COOL PUNK FINGER RING $5.30

2 pcs Couple Pairs Diamonds Quartz Wrist Watch Coffee Rose Gold Stainless Steel $9.99

Atlanta Braves Stainless Steel Leather Band Wrist Watch Game Time !! LOOK !! $4.99

Vintage Biker Mens Black Silver Stainless Steel Dragon Sharp Claw Ring Size 10.5 $0.99

Movado Ladies Bela Moda Stainless Steel Bracelet Watch 0606260 $483.04

Misto Olive Oil Sprayer …

Krups 203 Electric Coffee and Spice Grinder with Stainless-Steel Blades …

Cuisinart ICE-30BC Pure Indulgence 2-Quart Automatic Frozen Yogurt, Sorbet, and Ice Cream Maker $73.95 …

Apple iPod classic 160 GB Black (7th Generation) NEWEST MODEL $229.00 The new iPod classic comes with 160GB of storage in the same compact size, making it the take-everything-everywhere iPod. It’s available in quintessential silver or striking black. iPod classic also has plenty of battery life (up to 36 hours of audio playback or 6 hours of video playback), good looks (a sleek, anodized aluminum design), and other great features (Cover Flow and Genius playlists for…

Klipsch IMAGE S4 In-Ear Enhanced Bass Noise-Isolating Headphones (Black) $79.99 Precise, comfortable fit for long-term wear Superior noise-isolating design Delivers smooth sound with enhanced bass Angled nozzle for proper in-ear alignment Durable, built-in strain relief Available in a sleek black or pristine white finishWorks with iPod, iPhone and other MP3 devices   CNET’s Top 10 Most Popular MP3 Gadgets of 2009!CNET’s #1 Best Product of the Summer 2009!These reasonabl…

Solofill Cup, Refillable K-Cup For Keurig Brewers …

Merry Pet Cat Washroom / Night Stand Pet House $77.08 Introducing the most versatile, practical and multi-functional Cat Washroom ,Night Stand Pet House that blends seamlessly in any interior settings and style with the classic clean Espresso Solid Wood Veneer and cabinet design, wainscoting paneling details and stainless steel hardware. Cat washroom: No more mess from cat litter boxes. The Cat Washroom serves as an attractive cover to hide away the …

RSVP Endurance® Salt Server with Spoon $17.99 Your favorite gourmet salt will be easily accessible at the table or in the kitchen with our salt server. Durable stainless steel frame holds an 8-oz. glass bowl and features a unique flip-top lid with silicone gasket to keep your salt fresh and dry. Dishwasher safe but we recommend hand washing…..

Pressure Cookers, Mechanical Singing Birds, Oceanographic Buoys and Stainless Steel Tank Trailers $1.99 …

Luther the Geek $2.99 …