Stainless Steel is the basic
alloy of Iron, Chrome and Carbon, containing also other elements like Nickel,
Molybdenum, Silicon, Titanium, etc.,
They are considered stainless because in the presence of an oxidising
environment (including air) a protective layer is formed on their surface made
up of absorbed oxygen. This invisible lining has the thickness of an atom (if
destroyed it reforms spontaneously), constituting a barrier to the pursuance
of the oxidisation and corrosion. A sufficient quantity of chrome must be
present in order for this protective layer to form. In fact, the eurofor 88-71
defines stainless steel as iron alloys that contain at least 11% of chrome.
In relation to their structural conduct they can be divided in:
- MARTENSICAL
- FERRITICAL
- AUSTENICAL
- TWO-FASE
- HARDENING BY
PRECIPITATION
