tmeyer3
Well-known member
- First Name
- Trevor
- Joined
- Jun 27, 2021
- Threads
- 11
- Messages
- 566
- Reaction score
- 1,113
- Location
- CA
- Vehicles
- Model 3, Wrangler, Tractors
- Occupation
- Computer Scientist
I'll try and answer your stainless steel questions.
Yes, it can rust. However, it must be removed from exposure to oxygen for extended periods of time. Stainless steel works because of its chromium content. The chromium produces a layer of chromium oxide (chromium rust) much faster than the iron can. It produces an oxygen proof later, protecting the other molecules in the alloy.
You will find stainless steel discolorations when it is stored improperly. For example, if stored in a large roll, it's critical that it STAY dry, as the layers are close enough to produce an oxygen proof later of water between the sheets (lol). This is very bad as oxygen is the very thing that activates the chromium. Your kitchen knives will rust if you leave them submerged in the sink. Your sink will also rust if you leave it filled for days on end. Even so, it will rust MUCH slower than steel. On a car, stainless steel will not be protected from oxygen for and significant amount of time, so yeah, it won't rust unless you leave it at the bottom of a lake for good while--which is probably not recommended--and could still be buffed out to create a new later of chromium oxide. All that being said, if you have a solid chromium oxide layer on your sink, even submerged for weeks wouldn't be enough, it would have to be scored or scratched to begin rusting. Most acids will also react with chromium oxide.
So don't paint it, don't leave it submerged, don't put acid on it regularly, and you should be fine! I don't see why you couldn't do different finishes, but it's not something you'd want to do very often.
Cheers
Yes, it can rust. However, it must be removed from exposure to oxygen for extended periods of time. Stainless steel works because of its chromium content. The chromium produces a layer of chromium oxide (chromium rust) much faster than the iron can. It produces an oxygen proof later, protecting the other molecules in the alloy.
You will find stainless steel discolorations when it is stored improperly. For example, if stored in a large roll, it's critical that it STAY dry, as the layers are close enough to produce an oxygen proof later of water between the sheets (lol). This is very bad as oxygen is the very thing that activates the chromium. Your kitchen knives will rust if you leave them submerged in the sink. Your sink will also rust if you leave it filled for days on end. Even so, it will rust MUCH slower than steel. On a car, stainless steel will not be protected from oxygen for and significant amount of time, so yeah, it won't rust unless you leave it at the bottom of a lake for good while--which is probably not recommended--and could still be buffed out to create a new later of chromium oxide. All that being said, if you have a solid chromium oxide layer on your sink, even submerged for weeks wouldn't be enough, it would have to be scored or scratched to begin rusting. Most acids will also react with chromium oxide.
So don't paint it, don't leave it submerged, don't put acid on it regularly, and you should be fine! I don't see why you couldn't do different finishes, but it's not something you'd want to do very often.
Cheers
Sponsored
Last edited: