The many unique values provided by stainless steel make it a powerful candidate in materials selection. Engineers, specifiers and designers often underestimate or overlook these values because of what is viewed as the higher initial cost of stainless steel. However, over the total life of a project, stainless is often the best value option.

WHAT IS STAINLESS STEEL?
Stainless steel is essentially a low carbon steel which contains chromium at 10% or more by weight. It is this addition of chromium that gives the steel its unique stainless, corrosion resisting properties.

The chromium content of the steel allows the formation of a tough, adherent, invisible, corrosion-resisting chromium oxide film on the steel surface. If damaged mechanically or chemically, this film is self-healing, provided that oxygen, even in very small amounts is present. The corrosion resistance and other useful properties of the steel are enhanced by increased chromium content and the addition of other elements such as molybdenum, nickel and nitrogen.

There are more than 60 grades of stainless steel. However, the entire group can be divided into five classes. Each is identified by the alloying elements which affect their microstructure and for which is named.

StainlessDrains.com uses the following grades of Stainless Steel.
300 Series (Typical Grade 304 & 316L) Chromium (17-25%)/Nickel (8-25%), non-magnetic, not heat treatable. Stainless Steel can develop high strength by cold work. Additions of molybdenum increase the corrosion resistance. Typical uses: Food equipment, chemical equipment, architectural applications.