STAINLESS STEEL FAQ'S

What is stainless steel?
Why is stainless steel "stainless"?
Corrosion and oxidation resistance of stainless steels
Families of stainless steels
Benefits and properties of stainless steels

Stainless steel and the environment

The main source of raw material for making stainless steels is re-cycled scrap metal. This re-cycling route has been established for many years and the economics of the stainless steel making industry depend on recycling. Over 90% of new stainless steel is produced from recycled scrap.

The steel is melted electrically and in most cases refined by using inert air distilled gases, such as argon. Great care is taken to minimise fume and dust emissions. Some plants are equipped to re-cycle dust into the steel making process.

Most of the steel processing consumable materials, including cooling water, lubricating oils, pickling acids and "inter-leaving" paper are re-cycled in the plant or by specialist contractors. Stainless steel fabricators and processors re-cycle their scrap arisings and in-process consumables, including "caking" pickling acid residues for re-cycling.

As stainless steels are corrosion resistant alloys their life expectancy is usually long. A minimum of maintenance is needed and so, although more expensive initially, they offer attractive "life-cycle cost" benefits over alternatives such as carbon steels.

Stainless steels are easily cleansible and so an obvious choice for food and beverage manufacturing industries and catering equipment. There are no proven health risks from the normal use of stainless steels. The possible risks from alloying elements such as nickel and chromium are under constant review by experts.