Re: Stainless Steel

[Andrew <aos+yahoo@xxxx>]

Murray Fisher wrote:

> Experts Say: "Stainless Steel is coated with a thin, transparent film of
> iron oxide and chromium. This prevents soap, water, and air from geting
> to the metal below and eating it away.

While true, this is a very misleading way of explaining stainless steel's
special properties, because it implies that this coating is applied in the
manufacturing process and is therefore subject to damage or wear, which is
not the case.

Stainless steel is different from regular steel in that at least 12% of it
is actually chromium. Chromium reacts with oxygen to produce an oxide,
which creates a natural coating just a few molecules thick on the surface
of the metal, protecting the metal underneth. This coating is not
manufactured. It's just a chemical reaction. If it's damaged, it reforms
itself much faster than the steel can oxidize, hence no rust.

Your calendar isn't wrong, but its choice of words is a bit misleading.

-andrew