How do you clean stainless steel?To effectively clean stainless steel, just use a mild detergent in warm water. With a microfiber cloth, rub the surface following the grain of the steel. Rinse with clean water. Use a dry microfiber cloth to rub the surface again following the grain. The surface will be sparkling once again.
Avoid abrasive cleaners, as they may cause scratches.
What are the grades of stainless steel?Stainless steel can be divided into five major families and more than thirty categories. The grade depends on the type of material introduced into the alloy.
The most common variety of stainless steel is the 300 series, particularly the category 304. 304 stainless steel is used in many industrial applications including kitchens, kitchen sinks, appliances, railings, etc. Because of category 304’s many desirable qualities, its output totals almost 50% of the world’s stainless steel production.
Another common variety is category 316 stainless steel. This category closely resembles category 304, but 2% molybdenum has been added. This steel provides greater protection against corrosion in specific situations, such as saline environments.
430 stainless steel is one of the few magnetic stainless steel categories. The mechanical properties of this steel do not match those of the 300 series—welds are less resistant to pressure and surfaces are more susceptible to corrosion.
What finishes does SML mostly use in its fabrications?These are the most common stainless steel finishes:
No. 2B: Cold rolled,
passivated
No. 4: Brushed finish
No. 7: Reflective finish
No. 8: Mirror finish
What is corrosion?Corrosion describes the deterioration of a material through chemical reaction with an oxidant.
While resistant to corrosion, stainless steel will rust. However, instead of a film of destructive and unsightly iron oxide, a film of chromium oxide forms on its surface, creating an invisible, tenacious and protective layer. (The film forms when oxygen combines with chromium.) This naturally occurring oxidized layer adheres to stainless steel, and repairs itself in the presence of oxygen.
What is "electropolishing"?Electropolishing is an electrochemical process in which the surface layer of steel is dissolved. It reduces the roughness of the stainless steel and prevents the accretion of harmful substances.
What is "Ra"?RA refers to “Roughness Average.” This is the average of amplitudes measured on the surface of a material. The lower the RA, the smoother the surface.
What is "pickling"?Soldering or exposure to high temperatures creates scales on the surface of stainless steel making it less resistant to corrosion. Pickling removes these scales with a chemical, once re-exposed to air, the protective oxydized layer reforms.