Why Is Stainless Steel the World’s Most Popular Metal?

Stainless steel is the most popular metal in the world. But what exactly is stainless steel? What makes it the most common metal in almost every industry?

Even though most people use stainless steel every day, few know where this amazing material comes from, or the properties it has that make it the ideal choice for affordable, durable, environmentally safe projects.

If you have ever wondered what made stainless steel the most popular metal, this article is for you. Let’s get started!

What Is Stainless Steel?

Stainless steel is an alloy, which means it is a blend of other metals. While every manufacturer has its own recipe, the essential definition of stainless steel is regular steel mixed with at least 10% chromium.

When you mix steel and chromium, something amazing happens. The chromium reacts with oxygen in the air to form a chromium oxide film on the metal’s surface. This protective film is what prevents stainless steel from staining or rusting.

If the metal ever receives damage, the protective film is self-healing. As long as the metal has contact with air, a new film will form.

What Are the Benefits of Stainless Steel?

Strength & Durability

Because stainless steel is self-healing and resistant to rust, it retains its strength and durability much longer than regular steel. Rusted metal is not just unsightly, it causes weakness in the metal that could lead to instability and collapse down the road.

This quality also makes stainless steel perfect for outdoor projects. Few materials can stand up to the elements like stainless steel.

Environmentally Friendly

Another great thing about stainless steel is that it can be recycled easily. Simply melt it down and re-shape it and you are ready to go. It is estimated that up to 90% of the steel used today comes from recycled materials!

Finally, stainless steel is aesthetically pleasing. It comes in a variety of finishes so you can customize your project for just the right look!

Stainless Steel Equipment

When it comes to making tools, no material is more popular than stainless steel. It is the perfect metal for long-lasting precision equipment.

Whether you are working on a building site or in the kitchen, stainless steel is safe to use and easy to clean when you are done. A stainless steel tool can last a lifetime.

Stainless steel is strong enough to hold a sharp edge and will never tarnish or rust if you care for it well. The best part is that stainless steel is affordable, making high-quality tools accessible to weekend warriors and professional builders alike.

Industries That Use Stainless Steel

It would almost be easier to list the industries that do not use stainless steel. You would be hard-pressed to find a line of work that does not use this material somewhere along the line.

There are stainless steel pens, chairs, hubcaps, dentistry tools, mugs…to name a few. It is so easy to recycle and reshape, you can make just about anything with stainless steel.

Let’s look at two completely different industries to see the diverse ways stainless steel can be used. Construction and cooking!

Stainless Steel Use in Construction

Construction equipment needs to get dirty and withstand enormous amounts of wear.

A stainless steel tool can spend the entire day covered in mud, or the abuse of being slammed around, and at the end of the day, a quick scrub will have it looking like new again.

Stainless Steel & Cooking

Cooking equipment, on the other hand, must always stay immaculate and be used for precise, delicate operations.

A stainless steel knife can be used to chop hundreds of vegetables while retaining a sharp edge and never rusting. Stainless steel pots can withstand high temperatures too, while never imparting metallic flavour into the food.

Whatever task you have at hand, stainless steel equipment just works!

Different Types of Steel for Different Applications

So far, we have discussed how stainless steel can be used in many different ways, but did you know there are also different types of stainless steel?

It makes sense that the steel used to make a hammer might be different from the steel used to make a decorative railing. You would not need the steel to be as strong in the railing as in the hammer.

Because stainless steel is an alloy, the recipe used to make the alloy can change based on the way the steel will be used.

Stainless Steel & Tools

Stainless steel made for workhorse tools such as a hammer, will go through additional conditioning to make them extra strong, which can also drive up the price of the steel, making it harder to manipulate during the manufacturing process.

Stainless Steel & Home Décor

A decorative interior design element, while it does need some strength, it does not go through as much stress. In this case, you would opt for cheaper steel that is easier to form. Stainless steel gives you options!

The main way that the strength of stainless steel is controlled is during the carbon-removal process. Carbon is removed in special pieces of equipment called a decarburization system. The less carbon that remains in the steel, the stronger the steel will be.

Stainless Steel: Most Popular for a Reason

It is no accident that stainless steel is the most common metal of today. It is durable, cheap, easy to recycle, easy to shape, and it looks great, too!

Whatever line of work you are in, you are probably already using stainless steel. And if you want to get into the fabrication industry, knowing a thing or two about stainless steel manufacturing is a must.

If you found this article useful, read our post on how to buy stainless steel equipment. Here, we will teach you everything you need to know about setting up a workspace that is built to last!

For questions about our products or services, contact Ability Fabricators today.