Why is Stainless Steel so Popular in Construction?
In a recent edition of the BS Stainless blog, we pointed out that a cursory glance around the room you are in at this very moment will reveal the massive extent to which stainless steel exists in our world. When you step out of your home or workplace, the sheer ubiquity of stainless steel continues unabated. If, for some reason, all of the stainless steel in the world were to suddenly disappear, the world would fall apart. Literally!
In the world of construction, stainless steel is just as necessary as it is in every other aspect of our modern lives. So why is the material so highly valued in this sector? This edition of our blog looks at just some of the countless reasons.
All construction projects begin life on the architect's drawing board. Stainless steel offers myriad opportunities for architects, who have to strike the perfect balance between practical application and creative flair. The alloy boasts an ideal combination of high strength and low weight, making it an invaluable material for building all kinds of structures, especially high-rise buildings. Stainless steel boasts a beautiful aesthetic, which can be enhanced with a wide variety of coatings, colours and surface finishes.
Now we come to the famed corrosion resistance of stainless steel. When in contact with air, a layer of chromium oxide forms on the material's surface. This coating is known as the passive layer, as it makes the steel much less willing to react with surface contaminants. Many different grades of stainless steel are available, each with differing levels of corrosion resistance to suit different environments.
There is growing awareness of the need to create new structures in more sustainable ways and stainless steel fits in perfectly with this pressing requirement. Unlike the vast majority of other common construction materials, stainless steel is completely recyclable and does not lose any of its properties in the recycling process.
Another crucial property of stainless steel that makes it so useful in construction is its resistance to fire. In fact, stainless steel has no official fire rating because it does not need one! It cannot be ignited and does not even begin to melt until it reaches a staggering 1,400°C in temperature, far higher than is typically reached in building conflagrations. Even after prolonged exposure to heat and flame, the performance of stainless steel is far superior to other metals like galvanised steel and aluminium, making it the safest option for use in construction.
The versatility of stainless steel is unmatched. Stainless steel strip is especially useful and can be formed into all kinds of structural components from lintels and masonry supports to wind posts, shelf angles, section rollings and wall starters. Stainless steel wire is extensively used for numerous tying applications and for crafting wall ties, among many other things. The material is also widely used for cladding purposes, with the cladding being secured by stainless steel banding and wing seals.
These are just some of the reasons that stainless steel products are so important to the construction industry. Find out more on our website or by getting in touch with our technical team.