How historical innovations are shaping modern stainless steel alloys
Since its discovery in the early 20th century , stainless steel has revolutionized industry after industry . Now , as attention turns toward making metal more sustainable , its impact is far from over . The same pursuits and innovations that led to stainless steel are driving modern alloys toward a greener future .
By Ellie Gabel , Revolutionized
Paving the way for recycled steel
The birth of stainless steel in 1913 was primarily to improve the metal ’ s corrosion resistance . This quality made the material valuable and , even today , is its most well-known benefit . However , the addition of chromium and nickel has another crucial advantage — recyclability .
Modern recycling practices can recover more than 99 % of chromium from waste streams . As an alloy , stainless steel is similarly recyclable , showing little to no degradation after melting down and re-forming and requiring minimal heat to do so . While this may not be the primary driver of stainless steel ’ s adoption , it makes it a more environmentally friendly choice than alternatives like aluminum .
The early work of creating and refining stainless steel means
12 Green Steel World | Issue 15 | November 2024