Why Factories Choose Stainless Steel for Stairs, Handrails and More

Stainless steel has become an extremely common material choice for architects looking to create a unique and distinctive stair and railing system in their building. This selection is popular in a wide variety of facilities, including factories and manufacturing plants. There are a variety of reasons why it’s become so popular—it is aesthetically pleasing, offers a clean appearance and is highly resistant to corrosion.

Here’s a bit of information about stainless steel used for stairs and handrails in Umatilla County, OR and what you should know before making the decision to go ahead with the material for your project.

The composition of stainless steel stairs and handrails

One of the most common questions people ask about stainless steel is whether or not the “stainless” adjective is truly accurate. The answer is yes, so long as the chromium in the steel has been dissolved properly during manufacturing. There must be at least 11.5 percent chromium present in the composition, as this is what makes the material resist corrosion.

When this percentage of chromium exists, an oxide layer forms that stops the steel from corroding with exposure to elements such as water, acids, caustics and air. This protective layer cannot be seen by the naked eye, unlike with aluminum, so the steel is able to hold on to its finish.

Corrosion resistant properties for your stainless steel handrails

In a factory setting, there are a lot of elements (moisture, air, debris, caustics, acids) that could potentially cause corrosion, which is why stainless steel handrails and stairs are particularly beneficial in these industrial settings.

So long as at least the minimum level of chromium is present in the stainless steel, you should not need to worry about rust. The only way surface rust would be able to occur would be through contact with regular steel, which does not have the chromium needed to prevent corrosion. In such contact, the iron in regular steel would transfer on to the stainless steel, which would then be subject to reactions with moisture in the air to form rust.

So how do you know that you’re actually getting stainless steel to use for your stairs and handrails? For one, it’s important to work with a trustworthy and experienced manufacturer, who understands that the term “stainless” is more than just a marketing term. They must stick to the proper manufacturing and packaging processes. Keep in mind that stainless steel can be highly attractive for dust that gets put into the air during cutting, grinding and cleaning, and any dust that comes from non-stainless steel could lead to rust on a stainless steel surface.

Manufacturers should never use the same tools for grinding and cleaning stainless steel and other materials for this very reason. Good manufacturing processes can avoid issues with rust and quality.

For more information about what makes stainless steel “stainless” and why stainless steel stairs and handrails in Umatilla County, OR are favored for numerous applications, contact the experienced manufacturing team at NW Metal Fabricators Inc. today.

Categorised in: Steel Fabricators

This post was written by Writer