1.Stainless Steel Advantages and Disadvantages
Cleanliness
Steel is easy to clean, which is why it's popular in the medical and food industries who adhere to strict food hygiene standards. It's impact resistance means little crevices or dents can't appear in the steel, meaning dirt and germs have nowhere to hide.
Durability
Stainless steel is a durable alloy; its strength and corrosion-resistant characteristics make it a popular choice for businesses from various industries. It also has high-temperature resistance and takes impact to its structure well. If you maintain stainless steel (which isn't too difficult), you can count on it lasting a long time.
Corrosion Resistance
The main reason stainless steel was developed was to combat corrosion in regular steel, be it rust-based or other types of corrosion. However, certain environments can be damaging, so it's important to consult with a specialist beforehand.
Holds Value
Because it doesn't damage or corrode quickly, stainless steel can hold its value over a long period. If you're using steel as an interim, you can resell it on and recoup some of the money you paid for it.
Cost
The initial cost of stainless steel can be higher than other metals like aluminium. However, if the resale value stays high, you can recoup some of the cost if you do sell.
Dirt
While steel is easy to clean, it is a magnet for dirt and dust, so it'll need to be cleaned regularly.
2.Stainless Steel Grades
There are numerous ways to grade steel which vary from country to country; we're going to use the SAE steel grading series as it's what we use for our steel and is recognised worldwide.
Series 100 Steel
Series 200 Steel – austenitic chromium-nickel-manganese alloys.
Series 300 Steel – austenitic chromium-nickel alloys.
Series 400 Steel – ferritic and martensitic chromium alloys.
Series 500 Steel – heat-resisting chromium alloys.
Series 600 Steel – created for proprietary alloys (which are no longer graded by the SAE).
Series 900 Steel – austenitic chromium-molybdenum alloys.
