Introduction to Stainless Steel

Stainless steel is a durable, versatile and hygienic material that is resistant to corrosion and looks good!

Technically, "stainless steel" is the name given to steels containing a minimum of 11% chromium. In practice, most stainless steels contain 18% chromium to improve corrosion resistance. Most stainless steels also contain nickel, to increase corrosion resistance still further.

There are over 200 different types of stainless steel, each with a different range of properties. However, five types account for the bulk of usage, and Adelphi Coldstream products are generally made from two of these types, known as 304 and 316L grade.

304 is an excellent general grade of stainless steel. 316L contains molybdenum and has a low carbon content (less then 0.03%), and has even better corrosion resistance than 304 grade. 316L is preferred in many instances, particularly in pharmaceutical, cosmetic, food and dairy applications.

Stainless steel has outstanding resistance to corrosion and attack from a very wide range of chemicals and products. However, there are some situations where it is not suitable.

Corrosion resistance depends on the temperature and concentration as well as the chemical composition of the product in contact with the stainless steel.

Click for Corrosion Chart