Why choose Stainless steel

Stainless Steel is essentially a low carbon steel to which chromium has been added. It is this addition of chromium, in amounts greater than 12%, that gives the steel its unique 'stainless', corrosion resisting properties.

The chromium content of the steel allows the formation of a tough, adherent, invisible, corrosion resisting chromium oxide film on the steel surface. If damaged mechanically or chemically this film is self healing, provided that oxygen, even in very small amounts, is present. The corrosion resistance, as well as other useful properties of the steel is enhanced by increased chromium content and the addition of other elements such as molybdenum, nickel and nitrogen.

Stainless Steel's healing characteristics

Long Term Value

When the total life cycle costs are considered, stainless steel is often the least expensive option

Low Maintenance Costs

Stainless Steel normally only requires a periodic wash using a dilute solution of household detergent and water. Surfaces should be washed with a soft sponge and water.

Ease of Fabrication

Modern steel manipulation techniques mean that stainless steels can be cut, welded, formed and fabricated as readily as traditional steels and other materials.

Corrosion Resistance

Lower alloy grades resist corrosion in normal atmospheric and potable water environments, while the more highly alloyed grades can resist corrosion in many acids and alkaline solutions, and some chloride bearing environments, properties which are widely in process plants.

Strength

The mechanical properties of stainless steels allow thinner sections to be used than with other materials, thus reducing weight without compromising strength. Austenitic grades work harden with cold working and duplex steels allow for reduced thicknesses over traditional grades. Substantial cost savings therefore result as well as increased competitiveness with alternative materials.

Hygiene

Internationally recognised as by far the most hygienic surface for the preparation of foods. The unique surface of stainless steel has no pores or cracks to habour dirt, grime or bacteria. This cleansability far exceeds other surfaces makes it the first choice for strict hygienic conditions, such as hospitals, commercial kitchens, abattoirs and other food and beverage processing plants.

Aesthetic Appearance

The bright, easily maintained surface of stainless steel provides an attractive and contemporary appearance, ideal for a wide and growing range of applications

The jewelry should be polished to a reflective shine (mirror finish),

Free from rough edges, tool marks, and wire-drawing lines and pitting which are present in the surface of the steel when it arrives from the mill. When polished, true 316L is a white, not grey, metal. Under-polishing will be most evident along the inside of the ring where polishing is most difficult.

316L arrives from the steel manufacturer at specified degrees of

hardness.Most jewelry manufacturers use the least-hard (1/4 hard) steel

available for rings. Working the steel and forming the steel into rings hardens it to some degree. Annealing, a controlled heating and cooling process performed in a vacuum, yields a more flexible steel, resistant to metal fatigue. Most piercers and jewelry manufacturers agree that steel rings should be annealed to some degree or made from annealed wire because an annealed ring is easier to safely and quickly manipulate for insertion; pliers are often unnecessary for manipulating thinner gauge rings. However, the softer (more annealed) the ring, the easier it is scratched by tools or simply by daily wear. The trade-off of using non-annealed rings is that harder rings require tools to manipulate, increasing the chance of scratching the jewelry during insertion. Very hard rings cannot be torqued open at all; bending can cause the ring to break or create fractures invisible to the unaided eye which can trap bacteria.