Michigan State University Extension
Home Maintenance And Repair - 01500073
06/24/03
Stainless Steel Characteristics
Stainless steel is an alloy of iron which contains
more than 10% chromium. Stainless steel cannot be stained
but occasionally dulls or will show oily finger prints.
This steel is noted for its hardness and is used for
utensils, tableware, sinks, counter tops, and small
appliances. In the process of making it, a little of the
chromium in the alloy is used to form the hard oxide
coating on the surface. If this is taken off, through
corrosion or wear, the steel rusts like regular steel.
This article was written by Anne Field, Extension
Specialist, Emeritus.
This information is for educational purposes only. References
to commercial products or trade names does not imply
endorsement by MSU Extension or bias against those not
mentioned. This information becomes public property upon
publication and may be printed verbatim with credit to MSU
Extension. Reprinting cannot be used to endorse or advertise
a commercial product or company.
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Issued in furtherance of MSU Extension work, acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in
cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Thomas G. Coon, Director,
MSU Extension, East Lansing,MI 48824. This information is for educational
purposes only. Reference to commercial products or trade names does not imply
endorsement by MSU Extension or bias against those not mentioned.
This file was generated from data base 02 on 02/04/08.
Data base 02 was last revised on 06/24/03.
For more information about this data base or its contents please contact
strausc@msu.edu .