| Stainless steel is an alloy which is a derivative of | | | | allowed for more widespread use of stainless |
| iron. It has much of the same properties of other | | | | today. Through this type of science, |
| types of steel combined with the added benefit | | | | manufacturers are able to further refine this |
| of being able to repel rust and other forms of | | | | unique alloy and other types of alloys to meet the |
| corrosion. However, stainless steel is also | | | | needs of various industries, and stainless is used |
| susceptible to scratches and likely to tarnish if not | | | | for many industrial purposes, such as oil and |
| cared for properly. | | | | natural gas pipelines and refinery equipment, |
| Stainless steel alloys and other types of metal | | | | mining, energy production, nuclear power |
| commonly used in household fixtures are | | | | generation, and commercial and household food |
| becoming increasingly popular for a number of | | | | preparation. |
| other purposes as well. Furniture and industrial | | | | Since Brearly's discovery, many new techniques |
| machinery and equipment is also now being made, | | | | have been developed that allow for a higher |
| since the resistance to corrosion and long life of | | | | quality than ever before. High frequency welding, |
| this type of metal are highly desirable attributes. | | | | such as that used in welding pipes, has allowed for |
| These alloys are coated with an invisible layer of | | | | increased resistance to corrosion and less |
| oxides that protects the underlying metal from | | | | oxidation at the surface of today's stainless steel |
| disintegration caused by contact with corrosive | | | | products. |
| elements. Stainless is a type of steel that consists | | | | Many industries now rely on the production of |
| of a high chromium content that further prevents | | | | stainless steel for many different applications. |
| deterioration of the metal such as rust that is | | | | Although the most popular use continues to be |
| caused by contact with water and air. | | | | household fixtures, faucets, cooking equipment, |
| Hairy Brearly is credited with discovering stainless | | | | and commercial sinks and countertops, it is also |
| steel due to his experimentation with various | | | | widely used in the energy production industry and |
| types of alloys used to manufacture gun reeds. In | | | | for manufacturing machinery. It has been used in |
| his research, Brearly found that steel with a higher | | | | building materials for houses, commercial buildings, |
| percentage of chromium compounds could resist | | | | and barns for over seventy years now. |
| rust better than other types of metals. Later, | | | | In today's modern home, stainless steel can often |
| researchers were able to provide an explanation | | | | become scuffed and scratched just from |
| for Brearly's discovery through the passivation of | | | | everyday use. Thankfully, there are qualified |
| chromium itself, which allows a thin oxide film to | | | | technicians out there than can use proven |
| form on the surface of the metal, making the | | | | systems of scratch repair to bring it back to new |
| alloy more continuous and stable. It was these | | | | when damage occurs. |
| developments in the field of metallurgy that | | | | |