Can stainless steel rust?
Yes, even stainless steel must be maintained to prevent rust.
Acid rain, salty sea air, metal particles and other outside factors affect the surface of stainless steel.
It can lead to corrosion and makes the surface dull and dirty.
Stainless steel is an alloy steel and consists of iron, nickel and chromium.
In particular, the amount of chromium in the alloy is very important and determines the corrosion-resistant properties of the stainless steel. ( Stainless steel may only be called stainless steel if it contains a minimum of 11 to 12 % chromium )
When chromium comes into contact with oxygen, it forms an invisible layer of chromium oxide ( also called the oxide layer). This layer protects the underneath metal against further rust formation ( oxidation ). But stainless steel can nevertheless rust.
Contamination of the surface of stainless steel can disturb the formation of the protective oxide layer and adversely affect the corrosion resistance. In the long run, the stainless steel will begin to corrode or rust.
Without proper treatment, this can significantly weaken the mechanical strength of the stainless steel construction.
Crevices, cracks and especially weld seams form an important source of contamination as dirt concentrates here.
Corrosion by sea air.
Besides dirt, sea air is one of the biggest enemies of stainless steel. Sea air consists of minuscule droplets of seawater containing both salt and chlorides.
Pollution from stainless steel by sea air usually occurs in coastal areas and can lead to local damage and even pitting corrosion (a form of corrosion that forms pits in the surface).
Protecting stainless steel against corrosion.
Stainless steel is therefore not completely maintenance-free. Therefore it is important to keep the stainless steel clean and supported against the corrosion fight by among other things, the above-mentioned dangers.
Boeshield T-9 has been developed by Boeing Aerospace Laboratories to protect metal parts against corrosion and, if necessary, to provide water-resistant lubrication. One of the characteristics of Boeshield T-9 is that it can penetrate into metal pores and that it there can separate water from metal. Then it leaves behind a protective wax film that protects the metal for months on end. Boeshield T-9 works not only on stainless steel can be applied to almost all types of metal.
So don’t wait to long and protect your precious metalwork.
Order Boeshield T-9 today.