Stainless steel

Products – Stainless Steel

Due to its sleek and chic appearance stainless steel is a popular product in home furnishing. Stainless steel is robust, durable and has excellent anti-corrosion properties. The smooth, non-porous surface of stainless steel allows easy cleaning and it is very hygienic.

Stainless steel has a unique characteristic; it is self-recovering. Thanks to the alloying elements in stainless steel, a thin, invisible so-called "passive film" forms on the surface. Even when the stainless steel surface is damaged, this passive film will re-form under the influence of oxygen in water or air. This explains why stainless steel still looks bright and shiny after decades.

What is stainless steel?

Stainless steel is an alloy consisting primarily of the elements iron, chromium, nickel and carbon. To be able to call it stainless steel, a minimum of 10.5% chromium and a maximum of 1.2% carbon is necessary (source: "http://www.wikipedia.nl/"). Chromium prevents oxidation and stops rust.

There are various types of stainless steel. The composition determines the alloying of a certain quality. Below are the most common types.

Type 202	Stainless steel for indoor use
Type 304	A well-known stainless steel quality in the Netherlands. This type of stainless steel is used both indoors and out and is extremely suitable for applications in the construction industry. It has corrosion-proof properties and good transformation possibilities. Moreover, it can be polished.
Type 316	This stainless steel is used in harsh industrial and maritime environments. This type of stainless steel is more resistant to corrosion and environmental influences. It is also used for outdoor lighting.

Zijlstra uses types 202 and 304 for its stainless steel products. Currently we see type 201 more and more in the market. Please note: this is a quality that Zijlstra does not use. This is a cheaper alternative and has the disadvantage that oxidation already occurs in normal humidity conditions. It is mainly used abroad in the construction of bridges. This type oxidises quickly but does not rust, which is essential in this application.

Zijlstra applies a special coating to all its stainless steel products. This coating is ingrained. The advantage of this is that greasy finger marks are easily removed. The disadvantage is that stainless steel scratches more easily. If required, the coating can be removed with acetone. Scratches can then carefully be removed with a stainless steel sponge (not an ordinary steel wool sponge, such as Brillo). We would advise you to leave this to an expert.