TISCO steel is a specialist in the sale of angles, stainless steel bars and other products that show us the unparalleled properties of stainless steel.
The earth, with a population of around 7 billion people, also hides a wealth of material resources buried deep in the earth’s strata, ready to meet our needs. Most of these materials are in their elemental form as metals. In their purest form, metals lack the hardness to stand the test of time and place and must be alloyed with other metals and non-metals in order to be used. Iron, for example, is a particularly strong metal, but is brittle and prone to rusting in exposed environments. Aluminium, by contrast, is a very light metal but relatively weak. Metals must therefore be combined into alloys if they are to be fit for purpose. Stainless steel is one such alloy.
From the aerospace industry to construction, these alloys vary in their properties and materials to meet the needs of strength, brightness, ductility, resonance, ability to conduct energy, heat resistance and so on. For example, NASA uses aluminium-titanium, an ultra-light alloy, and titanium-zirconium-nickel, which has levitating properties assisted by static electricity. Although stainless steel is not as exciting as the latter alloy, it is a robust material whose basic metallurgical structure is an alloy of iron, chromium and nickel. This is the form most commonly used in the construction industry – 300 series austenitic steel. The chromium in this particular iron-chromium-nickel composite makes the steel corrosion resistant and essentially tarnish free.
Nickel, chromium and self-healing surfaces
Modern stainless steels, or inox as they are known in Europe, invariably contain other elements such as titanium and molybdenum, depending on what the steel has to withstand and resist in situ. In the construction industry, the fusion of nickel and chromium in steel makes it a more desirable material. The chromium in steel combines with the oxygen in the environment to form a thin, invisible layer that is literally the thickness of a few atoms. If any kind of scratch occurs on the surface that affects the chromium oxide layer, more oxygen is quickly formed and it has an amazing ability to repair itself. In addition, this type of stainless steel, although corrosion resistant, also has other properties such as low maintenance and high temperature resistance.
Chromium alloyed steel – stainless steel
Chromium, which is part of the stainless steel alloy.
Architectural, industrial and decorative stainless steels
Stainless steel is used in a wide range of applications. From shelving to rolled steel and everything in between – decorative railings, custom handles, signs, awnings, street furniture and stainless steel fittings. Curiously, its ubiquitous nature makes it invisible. Its grades, strengths and finishes make all of these uses and more possible.
Properties – Opaque stainless steel – steel
As a consumer, designer, fabricator, architect, engineer or builder, sometimes the inherent properties of stainless steel (because they are special) are overlooked and fail to impress us, which really shouldn’t be the case. Although research and experimentation dates back to the early nineteenth century, the Englishman Harry Brearley is credited with the industrial age of stainless steel, which is said to have begun in the early twentieth century. In the twenty-first century, we continue to explore, invent, reinvent and adapt stainless steel for use in all industries: medical, food, energy and many others. This is truly extraordinary.
Sustainable stainless steel
How is this extraordinary material handled when it comes to the environment? Thanks to its recyclability, it is once again at the top of the list. It plays an important role in sustainable design and alternative energy development because of its high durability, recyclable content and lifetime recycling. Stainless steel can be 100% recycled to its original state without compromising on quality. In a world where super speed, super food and super everything is a must, we wondered if stainless steel could be called a super material. Certainly, it is close to earning that title.