|
Big
John Grills
& Rotisseries
770
W. College Ave.
Pleasant Gap, PA 16823
800-326-9575
814-359-2755
Fax: 814-359-2621
|
 |
 |
Stainless steel
doesn't rust because of the interaction between its alloying
elements and the environment, according to Scientific
American (August 2001). It contains iron, chromium, manganese,
silicon, carbon, and in many cases, significant amounts of nickel
and molybdenum.
These elements react with oxygen from water and air to produce
a very thin, stable film that consists of such corrosion products
as
metal oxides and hydroxides. Chromium plays a dominant role in
reacting with oxygen to form this film. This stable film prevents
additional corrosion by acting as a barrier
that limits the access of oxygen and water to the underlying
metal surface.
Because the film forms so readily and tightly, just a few atomic layers
of the material reduce the rate of corrosion to very low levels. The
film is much thinner than the wavelength of visible light, and so it
is difficult to see without the aid of modern instruments. Thus, although
the steel is in fact corroded at the atomic level, it appears stainless
to the unaided eye.
Hearth & Home (October 2001) |
 |
|
|
