28 Jul Versatile Stainless Steel
Stainless steel is a group of four alloys which contain a high proportion of chromium, a material that renders the stainless steel durable and gives it good heat-resistant characteristics. The name stainless comes from its ability to resist corrosion (it can be polished and restored to pristine condition with oil). It is also perfect for shaping using Bending Machines like those from Cotswold Machinery Sales. The material’s colour can range from a slightly gray to a pale white finish; and the strength of the metal varies with a particular alloy.
Among the most popular stainless steels are those with high percentages of chromium and vanadium, including stainless steel with a rating of 10.5 on the specific gravity rating. Other metals which may show up in high percentage levels among premium alloys are nickel and zinc, with nickel having the highest rating of anywhere from ten to fifteen on the rating scale. The nickel content is often combined with cobalt to create nickel-zinc alloy steels.
While these alloys are able to withstand a great deal of heat before they become brittle and must be tempered before use, the ability to resist corrosion is a property shared by many stainless steels. It is in this area that stainless steel meets the challenge of being able to resist corrosion because of its ability to incorporate chromium and nickel, both of which have proven corrosion-resistant qualities. Combined with the relatively low cost of the material, stainless steel is an ideal choice for a variety of applications in virtually every industry.
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