Information
A Quality Product
Stainless steel is both stunning in look and also practical in application when it comes to choosing a balustrading system that can last a lifetime. If you live in a coastal environment, all types of balustrade materials, be it stainless steel or alternative metals, will be subject to salt and wind exposure, industrial pollution and temperature fluctuation. However, if properly cared for and maintained, stainless steel will keep its ‘as new’ look for many years to come, far outperforming alternative metals.
Grade 316 with a smooth surface finish should be selected as the minimum quality within 5km of a surf coast. Further protection can be obtained by a process called pickling (removes surface contaminants but dulls the finish) or electropolishing (removes surface contaminants and brightens the finish)
Stainless Steel
Stainless steel is a corrosion resistant alloy steel that contains 10.5% or more chromium. By varying the quantities of elements added to stainless steel, a range of stainless steel grades, each with different properties, are produced. When nickel is added to stainless steel in sufficient amounts the crystal structure changes to "austenite". Austenitic grades are the most commonly used stainless steels accounting for more than 70% of production and are identified by their ‘300’ series designation.
Grade ‘304’ (18% chromium, 8% nickel) is the most common stainless steel produced, however it is inadequate for many exterior coastal applications.
Grade ‘316’ (17% chromium, 10% nickel, 2% molybdenum) offers the best corrosion resistance among standard stainless steels. It resists pitting and corrosion by most chemicals, and is particularly resistant to salt water corrosion.
Maintenance And Protection
It is important to wash your stainless steel product regularly to keep the surface looking good.
For best results use soap or mild detergent and warm water followed by rinsing with clean cold water.
If salts and other contaminants are left to build up they can cause a brown stain on the surface of the stainless, known as ‘tea staining’ (note this is not rust). Tea stains are easy to
remove with a tea stain remover. Always wipe in the direction of the grain and never use an abrasive cleaner or cloth as these will scratch the surface of the stainless steel. Remember simply rinsing the stainless with water once a week will help significantly to keep the surface looking good.
The information on this page was obtained from the ASSDA. More information is available on their website www.assda.asn.au or the attached ASSDA Coastal Corrosion Document.
