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What does Corroded Stainless
Steel Look Like?
Passive Film Breakdown
If the passive film of your stainless steel has been
broken, your equipment will begin the long walk
down the dark road of corrosion. At it's end; rust.
The first signs are on the microscopic level. If you
were to look at them under a microscope or through
a magnifying glass, you would see small pits and
cracks staring back at you. Given time, these pits
and cracks will grow and deepen while all the time
exuding unsightly, red-orange rust.
More severe and visible cracking can also take
place.
Contrary to popular belief,
Stainless Steels ARE
susceptible to rusting
Corrosion on metals is everywhere. We recognize
it quickly on iron and steel as unsightly yellow /
orange rust. Such metals are called "active"
because they actively corrode in the natural envi-
ronment.
Stainless steels are passive metals because they
contain other metals, like chromium and nickel. 400
series stainless steels contain chromium while 300
series contain both chromium and nickel.
Metals are crystalline solids made up in atom
arrangements like tinker toys. With 12-30%
chromium, an invisible passive film covers the
steels surface acting as a shield against corrosion.
The metal becomes "passive" toward corrosion.
As long as the film is intact; not broken or con-
taminated, the metal is passive and stainless.
STAINLESS STEEL EQUIPMENT CARE AND CLEANING
NAFEM - North American Association of Food Equipment Manufacturers
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