Does Stainless Steel Rust?

[blacksierra01]

I got some new hockey skates around Christmas time and have only used them a few times since. i take good care and dry them after they are used. i took them out today and noticed that my stainless steel blades have rusted pretty bad. Thje skates were pretty expencive and I didnt expect them to rust this fast or easy. My question is , is stainless steel supposed to rust or is it just cheap steel in the blades. Ive been playing hockey all my life and never had a blade rust this bad.

[Slabi]

Different quality will corrode at different rates. Always put a small coat of polish on after use to guarentee a long shiny life.

[tbhuge]

True Stainless Steel does not rust. If they were marketed as Stainless take them back and tell them you want a full refund and take your money elsewhere. I have no respect for shady business people.

[tanked_darren]

Stainless steel will develop surface rust.

[RyanbabZ71]

made in china?

[DwayneJ]

There are different "stainless" alloys, each with it's purpose.

 

Stock exhaust systems are 409 surface rusts but takes a LONG time and a lot of crap to make it rot through, a 304 stainless on the otherhand wont readily surface rust.

[blacksierra01]

there made in canada , the rust was i guess surface rust, a few wipes with emery paper and it came off, but ot did stain the white holders, im definatly going to talk to the store where i bought them, but i doubt theres much they will do.

[ovrsight]

It's a misconception that SST will not rust. There are different grades with different levels of iron in them. Good test is to take a magnet and place it against the metal. Does it stick? Then it will eventually develop rust. It is still stainless steel. A magnet won't stick to better grades. Less iron - less rust.

[Nytemare]

It's a misconception that SST will not rust. There are different grades with different levels of iron in them. Good test is to take a magnet and place it against the metal. Does it stick? Then it will eventually develop rust. It is still stainless steel. A magnet won't stick to better grades. Less iron - less rust.

Surgical stainless for example...it will take quite a lot to make it rust even on the surface....However, it has no tensile strength.

[DwayneJ]

Yeah, like I said, lots of alloys and each with it's purpose. People like to say "better" or "cheaper" grades but it is not so simple.

[jarettg]

my exhaust tip has been rusting

[jwhuber]

All stainless steels are corrosion resistant to a certain extent. It depends upon the alloying elements in the different types of stainless such as Chromium, Nickel, Molybdenum, Manganese, Silicon, Copper, and others. Here are some common grades and important characteristics.

 

301 - I use this grade quite a bit, especially in the 1/4 or 1/2 hard condition. It has ductility and very high strength, even more when cold worked. The good thing is you don't loose ductility even after you work with it (which limits brittleness). It's also non-magnetic but becomes slightly magnetic after cold working. Also has high corrosion resistance.

 

304 - Good corrosion resistance, good formability and welds easily.

 

303 - High corrosion resistance (even better than 304)

 

347 - Basically just a different type of 304 that has Columbium added that is used as a stabilizer and prevents intergranular corrosion. I use this primarily as a filler metal when welding, even though it is often used as a "catch-all" stainless.

 

409 - Lowest cost/grade SS. Most exhaust is made from 409 because it's formed and welded easily. Resists oxidation and has decent corrosion resistance.

 

17-4 - Very high strength, high corrosion resistance, and good mechanical properties. I use this type almost on a daily basis making bushings for aircraft or anything where strength is/will be an issue. It is very similar to 304 SS to it's ability to withstand corrosion.

 

15-5 - Very similar to 17-4 although it has a bit more toughness than that of 17-4.

 

Generally the higher the Chromium content, the more resistant a stainless steel is to corrosion. The chromium forms an invisible layer on the surface that's highly resistant to rusting or pitting, especially when paired with Molybdenum. As a machinist and welder I have to take every property into account, not just corrosion resistance when picking the best grade to use on aircraft.