Stainless steel surface coatings has also influenced its use in commercial kitchens and food processing plants. Stainless steels do not suffer uniform corrosion, like carbon steel, when exposed to wet environments. Unprotected carbon steel rusts readily when exposed to the combination of air and moisture. The resulting iron oxide surface layer (the rust) is porous and fragile. Since iron oxide occupies a larger volume than the original steel this layer expands and tends to flake and fall away exposing the underlying steel to further attack. In comparison, stainless steels contain sufficient chromium to undergo passivation, spontaneously forming a microscopically thin inert surface
Stainless steel to produce Further information can be obtained on the websites of most producers. An example is provided here World stainless steel production figures re published every year by ISSF Overall stainless steel production (flat and long products): The stainless steel production in China accounts for more than 50% of the world production in 2017Breakdown of production by families of stainless steels in 2017: This breakdown is quite stable over the years Stainless steel is used for buildings for both practical and aesthetic reasons. Stainless steel was in vogue during the art deco period. The most famous example of this is