As part of our little mini-series #erklärmir, this time we talked to industrial engineer Christian Hajicek about the exciting topic of “Stainless steel” in all its facets. What is the difference between chromium steel and chromium-nickel steel? Can stainless steel rust? And how do you look after stainless steel properly?
Stainless steel is not just stainless steel
This edition of the series is all about the material, or more specifically the material 1.4301, which is used in our Stainless steel Utility Sinks. What characterizes chromium-nickel steel and what is its advantage over other materials? We asked the expert Dipl.-Wirt.-Ing. Christian Hajieck.
Mr. Hajicek, where is chromium-nickel steel with the number 1.4301 often used?
The material chromium-nickel steel is very popular on the market as it is also reasonably priced. It is therefore used very frequently and in many different ways. Nickel-chromium steel is used in metal construction, gardening (e.g. fences), balcony construction and even for sinks, as in your case.
The material 1.4301 is also very popular in metal construction and gardening.
What makes the material a good material?
Of course, it always depends on where and, above all, for what purposes the material is used. For many areas, the material 1.4301 is ideal (household, workshop, hobby room, Agriculture ….), for other areas you would have to think about using a different Stainless steel class with more molybdenum. I am referring, for example, to areas where chemicals (e.g. solutions containing chloride) are frequently used, which then get into the sink. Here, attention must be paid to increased acid resistance of the material. When it comes to rust resistance, however, chromium-nickel steel with the number 1.4301 is probably the most popular material.
The material 1.4301 is the right choice for applications such as functional washbasins in the domestic sector.
Many Utility Sinks with chrome steel are also available on the market. What is the difference between chrome steel and chrome nickel steel?
The first material mentioned is a pure chrome steel. As the name of the second material suggests, i.e. chromium-nickel steel, the nickel component also plays a role here. Nickel has additional corrosion-inhibiting properties, which makes it very popular in chemical apparatus engineering, for example. Nickel also makes the material austenitic, which in turn has an effect on the malleability of the material.
The material chromium-nickel steel has a natural protective layer, is that right?
Yes, that’s right. This protective layer, the so-called Passive Film, plays a decisive role, especially when it comes to rust. It is created by atmospheric oxygen, which builds up a wafer-thin oxide layer on the steel surface and thus protects the material. It is important that at least 12 % chromium is processed in the material. You will often find other values in the literature, but I always recommend a 12% chromium content so that this important protective layer can form.
Chromium-nickel steel is often referred to as “White material”, what is this term all about?
Stainless steel has a silver-grey surface, which is why it is referred to as White material. Other less noble material classes such as structural steel (S 235JR) form a dark gray oxide layer on the surface, hence Black material.
Expert tip: You can find more interesting information on the subject of “Stainless steel” on the website of the Information Center for Stainless Steel (ISER): https: //www.edelstahl-rostfrei.de/
Thank you very much for the interview Mr. Hajicek!
Do you need a Utility Sink in a different Stainless steel material class (chrome-nickel-molybdenum steel, 1.4404 or 1.4462)? Then please contact us, we can also produce Custom-Made Products on request: service@kune-online.com
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