There are several types of stainless steel, and they vary in resistance to corrosion.

In principle, one might think that the more important aspect is that the more stainless the better.

But in the world of industrial tools, when choosing which type of stainless steel is best, other factors must be taken into account, such as:

• Corrosion resistance
• Tensile strength
• The mechanical resistance of the material
• The hardness that the tool can reach

Taking these factors into account, one might then ask: what is the best stainless steel, from the point of view of the industrial tool?

The answer is: There is no one range of stainless steels that stands out.

Each one has its characteristics of corrosion resistance, tensile strength and hardness. And depending on what product, what application we are going to need it for, the ideal alloy will be one or the other.

The choice of the appropriate type of stainless steel is determined by the field of application that we give it.

There are several applications or areas where the stainless steel tool can be used and for different reasons.

The first may be when it is necessary to sterilize the tool to carry out the tasks that have to be done. For example, all items going into space have to be completely biologically sterilized. And, therefore, everyone who works on the construction of space objects must do so with a tool that is isolated to avoid contaminating them.

And in this case, what is needed is a steel with zero or low tolerance to contamination and particulates.

Sectors and areas where stainless steel tools are needed

The main sectors are:

• Biotechnology and biomedicine
• Clean rooms
• The pharmaceutical industry
• In some case in the nuclear industry
• And also in food processing

Another reason why stainless steel tools are used in the sectors mentioned above is because, after use, they require a sterilization process.

However, it must be taken into account that, after several sterilization processes, these tools can end up rusting.

“Can stainless steel tools rust?”

Yes, and in the next post we will talk about why this can happen.

"So why not use carbon steel tools?"

Simply because they tolerate few sterilization processes if they do not have a chrome coating. But, equally, if it did, it would end up flaking off, and therefore the chrome particles would end up contaminating areas that require fully sterilized environments.

In summary, once it is concluded that the best option is to acquire stainless steel tools, it must be taken into account that the best alloy will depend on:

• What is the purpose of using the tool?
• What kind of tool is needed?
• What kind of hardness and tensile strength is required?
• What type of sterilization process is going to be followed and what cleaning agents are going to be used, in case the tool is used in the sectors mentioned above?

And depending on all these variables, it will turn out that the best alternative will be a stainless steel or another.