The Top 3 Qualities of Stainless Steel Wire
When you consider the vast variety of forms that stainless steel can take, it is little wonder that the material finds a use in pretty much any industry you care to name. From massive-scale installations like power stations right down to tiny, ultra-precise surgical instruments and everywhere in between, stainless steel is such a vital material that it is impossible to imagine how our modern world would function without it (spoiler: it wouldn't!).
One of the most useful forms of the alloy is stainless steel wire, which itself can be produced in a dizzying variety of forms. It's not easy to describe the qualities stainless steel wire has without resorting to a simple yet dynamic list of superlatives; in addition, such a list would be extremely long! So, in this edition of the weekly BS Stainless blog we're going to focus on three of the most salient qualities of stainless steel wire that have seen it become such an integral part of so many different industries.
Resistance to Corrosion
This is perhaps the most widely-known property of stainless steel and is certainly one of the most prized. To be considered 'stainless', the alloy must contain a minimum of 10.5% chromium; this element forms an invisible film referred to as the 'passive layer', which strongly protects the steel and enables it to self-heal when exposed to oxygen. The chromium content (and thus the level of resistance to corrosion) can be increased when the stainless steel wire is to be used in demanding applications, such as in the marine environment.
Strength
The tensile strength of stainless steel is unmatched, with grade 304 (the most common type) offering a tensile yield strength of about 210 MPa (megapascals); this can be increased to as much as 1,050 MPa via a process of cold working. Some special alloys can be heat treated to achieve a tensile strength of a massive 1,730 MPa. This strength ensures extensive durability, resulting in reduced repair and replacement requirements.
Sustainability
Stainless steel is 100% recyclable and, unlike the vast majority of other materials that can be recycled, loses absolutely none of its qualities in the recycling process. According to data from the International Stainless Steel Forum, any stainless steel object contains around 60% recycled material.
BS Stainless is the UK's leading supplier of stainless steel wire in all of its many forms, from tying and forming wire to spring wire and welding wire. Working to the highest standards, we can supply this crucial component in a comprehensive variety of sizes and grades to exactly suit any and every application.
Please browse our website to discover our complete collection of stainless steel wire. If you have any questions or need expert advice, our technical team will be more than happy to help so please do not hesitate to get in touch.