History of Stainless Steel Development

History of Stainless Steel Development

Stainless steel, as defined in GB/T20878-2007, is a steel with stainless steel and corrosion resistance as its main characteristics, and a chromium content of at least 10.5% and 

a maximum carbon content of 1.2%.

Stainless steel is the abbreviation for stainless acid resistant steel. Steel grades that are resistant to weak corrosive media such as air, steam, water, or have non rusting properties 

are called stainless steel; Steel grades that are resistant to chemical corrosion media (such as acid, alkali, salt, etc.) are called acid resistant steel.

Due to the difference in chemical composition between the two, their corrosion resistance is different. Ordinary stainless steel is generally not resistant to chemical media 

corrosion, while acid resistant steel generally has non rusting properties. The term 'stainless steel' does not simply refer to a single type of stainless steel, but rather to over a hundred types of industrial stainless steel, each developed with excellent performance in its specific application field. The key to success is first to understand the purpose and 

then determine the correct steel grade. There are usually only six types of steel related to the application field of building construction. They all contain 17-22% chromium, and 

better steel grades also contain nickel. Adding molybdenum can further improve atmospheric corrosiveness, especially resistance to corrosion in chloride containing atmosp-

heres.

Generally speaking, the hardness of stainless steel is higher than that of aluminum alloy, and the cost of stainless steel is higher than that of aluminum alloy.The invention and 

use of stainless steel can be traced back to the period of World War I. At that time, British firearms on the battlefield were always transported back to the rear due to worn-out 

barrels that could not be used. The military production department ordered Brelli to develop high-strength wear-resistant alloy steel, specifically to study and solve the problem 

of gun barrel wear. Breerley and his assistant collected various types of steel and alloy steels with different properties produced domestically and internationally, conducted 

performance experiments on various types of machinery, and then selected the most suitable steel to make firearms. One day, they experimented with an alloy steel contai-

ning a large amount of chromium. 

After conducting wear resistance tests, they found that this alloy was not wear-resistant, indicating that it could not be used to manufacture fire-

arms. Therefore, they recorded the experimental results and threw it into the corner of the wall. One day a few months later, an assistant came excitedly with a shiny piece of 

steel and said to Breerley, "Sir, this is the alloy steel that Mr. Mullah sent me while cleaning the warehouse. Would you like to experiment and see what special function it has?" 

"Okay!" Breerley looked at the shiny steel and said happily.

The experimental results prove that it is a stainless steel that is not afraid of acid, alkali, or salt. This type of stainless steel was invented by German Mullah in 1912, but Mullah 

was unaware of its intended use.

Breerley calculated in his heart, 'This kind of steel, which is not wear-resistant but corrosion-resistant, cannot be used to make firearms. Can it be used as tableware?' He said 

he could do it and made stainless steel fruit knives, forks, spoons, fruit plates, folding knives, and so on.

Brawley's invention of stainless steel obtained a British patent in 1916 and began mass production. From then on, stainless steel accidentally discovered from garbage dumps 

became popular worldwide, and Henry Brawley is also known as the "father of stainless steel".