Welcome to Brainstuff production of iHeart Radio, Hey brain Stuff Lauren Vogel Bomb Here. From bathroom sinks and kitchen appliances to New York's Chrysler building and the St. Louis Gateway arch. The world sometimes seems like it's covered in stainless steel, and why not. The material is not only sturdy and versatile, but also stainless, as the name implies. But is it really impossible to stain stainless steel? Stainless steel is a family of materials that gets its handle from corrosion and
oxidation resistant properties that protect it from rust and unsightly blotches. Generally, these steels are a mixture of iron and at least ten point five percent chromium, sometimes rounded to eleven percent by engineers. When exposed to oxygen and moisture. For instance, when a stainless steel pan is nicked or dinged, chromium is an element that produces thin oxide film that coats the product. This self repairing feature of stainless steel ensures
that the object will always look smooth and shiny. Various European and American metallurgists claimed to have invented this wondrous material. We do know that Croup Iron Works in Germany created an acid resistant steel as early as nineteen o eight, which was used for the hull of a yacht. Two other German researchers discovered the relationship between chromium content and corrosion resistance. That metal containing at least ten point five
chromium had a greater resistance to corrosion. Meanwhile, American Elwood Haynes patented one type of stainless steel precursor in nineteen eleven. An English researcher Harry Brearley developed a similar material around the same time. After a four year dust up in which Haynes successfully opposed Brierly's attempt to patent his version of the steel, the two pooled resources to market their
wares as the American Stainless Steel Company. These and other stainless metals found their way to cutlery, airplane parts, golf clubs, and other items almost immediately, but not all stainless steel is created equal. There are four main types of stainless steel, classified by structure and composition. The most common variety is astenatic. Of the stainless steel produced falls in this category. Astenetic steels can be found in products ranging from cutlery and
cookware to automotive trim and industrial applications. The material contains at least sixteen percent chromium, no more than zero point one five percent carbon, and usually includes nickel or manganese for added durability. Meanwhile, for Riddic stainless steels contain up to twenty seven percent chromium, often as well as aluminum or titanium, but if little or no nickel, that means that while these materials are highly resistant to corrosion, they're
less durable than their austenetic cousins. For Ridic steels are more affordable than austenetic varieties and are commonly used in flers, exhaust systems, kitchen counters, and sinks. Then we have martin zitic stainless steels, which are less corrosion resistant than the first two types, but are noted for their extreme strength and durability, and the material contains twelve to fourteen chromium
along with small amounts of molybdenum and carbon. These steels also contain little to know nickel less than two percent Martin's that ex stainless steels are magnetic and are often used in products where this feature is useful like a kitchen back splash, to which a spice rack or other metal object can be attached without using fasteners. Finally, duplex stainless steels combine the benefits of austenite and ferrite to provide enhanced decay resistance and beefed up strength and durability.
Metallurgists typically look to create a mix that's half austenitic and half fretic. The result is a material that features more chromium and less nickel than is found in pure austenitic steels, about twenty two to chromium and five percent nickel, as well as a high level of molybdenum. These steels are primarily used in chemical plants and piping applications. You may have noticed our use of the term resistant when
referring to these stainless steel's capacity for avoiding blemishes. So is the material just stain resistant or completely stain proof? And despite the hearty protection that it affords users, stainless steel is more stain less than stainless. In other words, while the material is highly resistant to discoloration, blemishes, and
other imperfections, it's not completely impenetrable. And just look at the Gateway Arch, which is starting to show its age with rust and k after five decades of welcoming tourists to St. Louis. The protective layer of film covering a stainless steel object can break down over time, leading to corrosion and pitting. In addition, compounds like chloride, hydrogen and hydrogen sulfide often cause the film to stress and crack. The level of rest resistance provided by a particular steel
depends largely on the materials used to create it. The more chromium, the more corrosion protection. The sturdier. Stainless steels also feature at least eight percent nickel, which provides further defense against tarnish. Some products are tagged with numbers indicating their proportions of chromium and nickel. For instance, eighteen over ten flatwear is sold at a premium because it has eighteen percent chromium and ten percent nickel content, providing greater
protection against corrosion than ordinary flatwear for household users. It's important to understand that many metals advertised as stainless steel are actually stainless steel plated. The plate is corrosion resistant, but is susceptible to damage if cut or scratched deep enough to reach the underlying material. Because the plates can also wear off over time, buyers should clarify whether a particular product is made completely of stainless steel or simply plated.
Whether plated or not, your stainless steel appliances and other products need to be cleaned most of the time. Good old fashioned soap and water will do the trick. For tougher stains, Professionals recommend a variety of household remedies. A couple dabs of olive oil or window cleaner can remove most of those pesky fingerprints and smudges, while white or cider vinegar will restore shine. And don't use steel wool pads or harsh cleaning powders, as they'll scratch the surface.
If you need to remove burnt on food from a stainless steel pan, let it soak in warm water and then clean it with baking soda and a gentle nylon or plant based scouring pad. Today's episode was written by Chris Opfer and produced by Tyler Clang. For more on this and lots of other shiny topics, visit how stuff works dot com. Brain Stuff is production of i Heeart Radio or more podcasts. My heart Radio is at the iHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen to your favorite shows.