Why is stainless steel the material of choice for a variety of industries? Read on to know more

Stainless steel is an alloy of various materials that give it its various distinct properties. Generally, this alloy has iron, carbon, chromium and nickel, and depending upon the end use, sometimes molybdenum is added too, giving it additional resistance to corrosion. The addition of chromium provides it with the tough, adherent, invisible, corrosion-resisting chromium oxide film on the surface. If damaged mechanically or chemically, this film is self-healing, if there is even small trace of oxygen present. With all these properties stainless steel does become the material of choice for a lot of industries like food, pharma, construction, domestic, etc. 

Here are the top 6 advantages of using stainless steel over other available materials: 

1. Anti-corrosion: The addition of chromium renders stainless steel its anti-corrosion properties helping it withstand long-term exposure to air and moisture. The degree of anti-corrosion depends on the percentage of chromium in the steel alloy mix along with some addition of molybdenum. Lower alloyed blends can resist corrosion in atmospheric and pure water environments whereas high-alloyed blends can resist corrosion in most acids, alkaline solutions and chlorine bearing environments.
2. Recyclable: Due to its non-corrosive and durable properties, stainless steel can be recycled repeatedly without losing its inherent properties. Over 50 per cent of new stainless comes from old remelted stainless-steel scrap, making it a more sustainable choice of material. Recycling stainless steel helps conserve energy, lowers demand for new materials thus helping minimise the environmental impacts of mining and production.
3. Endures extreme temperatures: Stainless steel has a high melting point, helping it withstand extremely high temperatures without melting or deforming; its melting point is determined by the specific material composition of the alloy. Certain special high chromium and nickel-alloyed grades of stainless-steel resist scaling and retain strength at high temperatures making it useful in heat exchangers, super-heaters, boilers, feedwater heaters, valves and mainstream lines as well as aircraft and aerospace applications. 
4. Cost effective and durable: When the total life cycle cost of a material is considered, stainless is often the least expensive option as it is low maintenance with a high life expectancy. Due to the nature of its alloy materials, it can endure high temperatures as well as extremely low temperatures, making it useful for cryogenic applications. The material can also withstand shocks and high impact forces when constructed in a tubing form to evenly distribute stress, without failing or deforming ensuring durability of the system.
5. Easy to transform: Stainless steel’s versatility allows it to undergo various fabrication methods like cutting, welding, forming and bending making it suitable for various industries to create a wide range of products and structures. This also renders in irreplaceable in medical applications where precision, hygiene and durability are of utmost importance.

Hygienic and easy to maintain: Stainless steel is commonly used in food and beverage processing, pharmaceutical manufacturing, medical devices, biotechnology and other cleanroom environments. Its tubing has a smooth, non-porous surface that is easy to clean and maintain. Due to its corrosion resistant nature that further enhances its longevity, it is an essential component in industries where hygiene, precision and sterility are of key importance.