Common Applications of Stainless Steel

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Common Applications of Stainless Steel

Known for its strength, corrosion resistance and limited maintenance, stainless steel has become one of the most popular modern products on earth. There are over 150 grades of stainless steel, and though only about 15 of these are used in everyday areas, the versatility of the product is another big draw.

At Wasatch Steel, we can fill all your stainless steel needs. Here are some of the most common areas where stainless steel is used, and how it benefits these areas.

Transportation

The first popularized use of stainless steel was in the automotive industry in the 1930s, and this continues to be one of its primary uses. Stainless steel is used in everything from exhaust systems to trim and grilles, with new environmental standards causing manufacturers to lean on it even more heavily in recent years.

Stainless steel is great for more than just cars, too. It’s used in shipping containers, road tankers, refuse vehicles, food transportation, and many others.

Food and Catering

Stainless steel is also a mainstay in the culinary world, whether it’s kitchen accessories, cutlery or various cookware items. It’s used for knives, cookers, grills, sinks, saucepans and plenty of areas in between. It’s also a common product as a finisher for fridges, freezers, countertops and dishwashers.

It’s also perfect for food storage – it does not impact the flavor of food at all, and its corrosion resistance is great for high-acid foods.

Energy and Heavy Industries

Each of the chemical, gas and oil industries rely on special stainless steel grades that resist corrosion over a huge range of temperatures. Renewable energy technologies, meanwhile, use stainless steel – its ability to stand up to the rigors of highly corrosive environments, such as sea water, is very valuable in these areas.

Architecture

Stainless steel is a big part of modern construction due to its flexibility and strength. It’s used as cladding for most large high-impact buildings and is also found on the interior. It can be welded easily, which is a big deal within construction projects.

Medical Areas

Stainless steel is also perfect within an environment like a hospital, which needs to be sterile and hygienic at all times. Stainless steel can be sterilized easily, and as such is used to make many surgical and dental instruments. Some surgical implants also feature stainless steel, such as replacement joints or artificial hips.

For more on the common applications of stainless steel, or to buy steel online, visit Wasatch Steel today.