A Brief History of Stainless Steel Development

The History of Stainless Steel

Stainless steels are iron-based alloys that contain chromium, which forms an invisible surface layer that helps protect the steel from corrosion. This type of steel was originally developed in the early 20th century for industrial applications. Today, these steels are widely used in the food & beverage industry, architectural & automotive industries, and in many other applications where corrosion resistance is important.

The development of stainless steel began in 1912 when German metallurgist, Max Hogan, observed a mineral on the surface of some steel sheets which was preventing rust. He concluded that adding chromium to the steel would prevent its rusting. Hogan went on to develop the first commercial grade of stainless steel, which he called “Staybrite”.

In 1913, the Swedish metallurgist, Kjellander, produced a similar chromium–steel alloy which became known as “Inox.” He specialized in varying the carbon content of steel in order to improve its hardening and other properties.

In 1919, the Cleveland Steel Company (now U.S. Steel) introduced the “18-8” grade of stainless steel – which became very popular in consumer applications such as cutlery and kitchen appliances where corrosion resistance was an important factor.

In 1921, the British engineer and metallurgist, Harry Brearley, developed an alloy specifically for use in gun barrels. This “gunmetal” had superior wear resistance and corrosion resistance to other types of steel. Brearley’s gunmetal became the basis for what we now call stainless steel.

In the early 1930’s stainless steels with added nickel and molybdenum became available, offering superior strength and toughness. This era saw the development of products for food processing and for architectural applications, such as balcony railings and balustrades.

By the 1940’s, advances in metallurgy opened up a wide range of new applications for stainless steel. This included the development of cold-headed products, such as bolts and screws, as well as products and structures for the automotive and nuclear industries.

In the 1950’s, stainless steels were used increasingly in the petrochemical and medical industries. By this time, many countries had established their own stainless steel manufacturing industries.

In the 1960’s, new grades were developed with improved corrosion resistance and higher strength. Stainless steel was used more in aerospace, electronics and other high-tech industries.

In the 1970’s, stainless steels were developed for cryogenic applications, as well as for paper and pulp industry, and for applications in the energy industry. At the same time, new laser cutting techniques opened the door to rapid and cost-effective production of stainless steel products.

By the 1980’s, stainless steels with improved strength and corrosion resistance were used increasingly in the automotive, electronics and other industries.

Today, stainless steel is used in thousands of applications. It is available in many different grades, with varying levels of corrosion resistance, strength and toughness. The development of stainless steel is ongoing, with new alloys being developed all the time to meet the demands of new and emerging markets.

The history of stainless steel began in the early 1900s in Sheffield, England, when Harry Brearley discovered metal that was corrosion-resistant. Brearley began experimenting with different metal alloys and eventually discovered a 12.8% chromium alloy that was highly corrosion-resistant.

He initially marketed the metal as rustless steel, and its popularity grew rapidly. In 1912, the British metallurgist Ernest Stuart gave this new alloy its current name, stainless steel. Stainless steel was mainly used in cutlery and surgical instruments until the 1920s when it began to be used in construction.

In 1920, an architect named Gleeson Talbird used stainless steel to construct a seven-story office building in Norfolk, Virginia. This was the first time that stainless steel was used in a large-scale construction project. The use of stainless steel grew exponentially in the following years. In 1928, the Empire State Building in New York City was the first skyscraper to use stainless steel for its exterior cladding.

By the late 1930s, stainless steel had become a popular material for kitchen appliances such as stovetops, refrigerators, and dishwashers. It was not until the 1950s that stainless steel experienced further development. This included the invention of austenitic stainless steel, which is the most common type of stainless steel used today.

The development of stainless steel has come a long way since its discovery in the early 1900s. From its initial use in cutlery and surgical instruments to its current uses in construction and kitchen appliances, stainless steel has proven to be an incredibly versatile and durable material.