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3 Factors That Can Cause Stainless Steel Corrosion
Like all other kinds of steel, stainless steel is made up primarily from iron, but what makes stainless steel different is the addition of chromium (Cr) and other alloying elements such as nickel (Ni) and molybdenum (Mo) to create a corrosion-resistant product. The minimum amount of chromium required in stainless steel is approximately 11%. Generally, the higher the chromium content the higher the corrosion resistance. Many people have the misperception that stainless steel does not corrode or “rust” but let us look at some factors that may cause corrosion.
What Causes Corrosion?
Keep reading to find out 3 factors that may cause corrosion on your stainless steel. For more information on stainless steel, visit our blog page.
1. Atmospheric Corrosion
Although stainless steel is highly corrosion resistant, localized corrosion can occur in certain environments, especially in marine atmospheric conditions if the appropriate grade is not used. Exposure of stainless steel to an environment more aggressive than the limiting conditions may be harmful to its aesthetic appearance and ultimately even to its load-bearing capacity. Salt and dirt play a huge factor as they coat the stainless steel and prevent oxygen from reaching the passive layer. So choosing a stainless steel with a higher chromium content and added alloys such a molybdenum is preferred.
2. Bimetallic/Galvanic Corrosion from Welding Dissimilar Metals/Stainless Steel Grades
One mistake that some manufacturers may make is that they may weld two dissimilar metals together—whether by accident or by design. Corrosion occurs when two metals with different properties are connected via a common electrolytic material (such as water or weld filler material), there may be a flow of electrical current from one material to the other. This will cause the less “noble” metal (meaning the metal that more readily accepts new electrons) to become an “anode” and start to corrode more quickly.
The speed of this corrosion will change depending on a few factors, such as the specific types of stainless steel being joined, what kind of welding filler was used, ambient temperature and humidity, and the total surface area of the metals that are in contact with one another.
The best preventative measure for bimetallic corrosion is to avoid joining two dissimilar metals permanently in the first place. A close second is to add a coating to the metals to seal them off with a coating to prevent the flow of electrons from the cathode to the anode.
It should also be noted that using a weld filler that is too dissimilar to the metals being joined can also result in galvanic corrosion at the weld site as well as carbon steel screws and bolts being used to join stainless steel.
3. Transplanting of Carbon Steel onto Stainless Steels
In some applications, particulate residue from carbon steel may be transferred onto the surface of stainless steel by grinding or cutting next to each other. These carbon steel particles can disrupt the protective oxide layer of the stainless steel causing corrosion to take place.
Another common reason why carbon steel residue can be transplanted onto stainless steel is that equipment used to process one type of material may be used for the other without being properly cleaned between batches. Welding carbon steel next to stainless steel is also not advised, as the splatter of the carbon welding will affect the oxide layer on the stainless steel, again causing corrosion
To prevent the transplanting of carbon steel (or any other metals) to stainless steel work pieces, it is important to thoroughly clean and prepare equipment when changing over to new material. Some equipment, such as steel brushes, should never be shared between different metal types. It is also best practise to separate your carbon steel division from your stainless steel division if this is at all possible.
The difference between this and the bimetallic corrosion problem listed above is that in this case, the contact between the dissimilar metals is purely accidental and typically without the manufacturer’s knowledge
Get Your Stainless Steel from Euro Steel
If the correct grade of Stainless Steel is selected, correct fabrication processes are used and it is well maintained, Stainless Steel will last you a lifetime.
Euro Steel is one of the biggest stockists and suppliers of Stainless Steel and Aluminium as well Special Steels. Contact us to discuss your next project.
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