What are the factors which deteriorates the properties of Stainless steel ?
There are three basic things which can break down your stainless steel’s passivity layer and allow corrosion to rear its ugly head.
- Mechanical abrasion
- Deposits & water
- Chlorides
Mechanical abrasion means those things that will scratch the steel’s surface . Steels pads , wire brushes and scrapers are prime examples.
Water comes out of our tap in varying degree of hardness. Depending on what part of the country you live in, you may have hard or soft water. Hard water may leave spots. Also when heated, hard water leaves deposits behind that if left to sit, will break down the passive layer and rust your stainless steel. Other deposits from food preparation and service must be properly removed.
Cholorides are found nearly everywhere. They are in water , food and table salt. One of the worst perpetrator of chlorides can come from household and industrial cleaners.
In a nutshell:- Stainless Steels do rust when
Passivity (film Shield) breaks down
By scraps and scratches
By deposits and chlorides
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