Call today for a free estimate
North America: +1-918-437-5400 • South America: +56-2-2243-9345 • Australia-Asia-NZ: +64-3-545-0445

Call today for a free estimate
North America: +1-918-437-5400
South America: +56-2-2243-9345
Australia-Asia-NZ: +64-3-545-0445

Stainless Steel: A History

by Dec 8, 2018News

stainless-steel-rodsYou may not realize it, but the fact of the matter is that stainless steel has only been around for a short period of time. However, in its short lifetime, it has made an immeasurable impact, constantly evolving to take on new challenges and applications.

Curious as to the exact history and evolution of stainless steel? If so, you’re in the right place. In this blog post, we’re going to take a close look at the history of stainless steel from its inception to the present. Let’s get started!

1900­­–1920

Throughout the 19th century, metallurgists had experimented with a number of different metal alloys. However, while many of these alloys had characteristics similar to stainless steel, they were not, in fact, stainless steel. After all, in order for an alloy to be considered stainless steel, it must consist of at least 10.5% chromium, and 50% iron.

The first stainless steel ever created was invented by Harry Brearley, a native of the United Kingdom. Brearley’s alloy was created by adding chromium to iron, giving it a 12.8% chromium content. After mixing the two metals, Brearley realized that the resulting alloy was highly resistant to rust.

This development would kick off an endless stream of stainless steel innovation in the world of metallurgy, one that continues to this day. All types of stainless steel have been created, from austenitic stainless steel, to ferritic stainless steel, to duplex stainless steel, and more.

1921­–1940

In the early 1920s, more manufacturers started to use stainless steel in products, realizing that it was less corrosive, and more durable than previously-used materials. Primarily, stainless steel was used for the manufacture of small tools, including cutlery, medical implements, and work tools.

By the late 1920s, stainless steel was being used in a variety of other entities, including chemical storage tanks and cooking vessels.

However, it wasn’t until the 1930s that stainless steel saw its use in more everyday products. Not only was stainless steel used to manufacture trains, but planes as well. Stainless steel kitchen sinks also saw their creation in the 1930s.

1941–1960

Throughout the 1940s, stainless steel played a big role in World War II. It was used in a number of different vehicle engines, adding a great deal to war machine innovation.

In the 1950s, its uses became a little more sophisticated. Stainless steel was used in everything from underwater cameras, to televisions, to space equipment, and much more.

1961–1980

From 1961 to 1980, the use of stainless steel progressed gradually. In addition to being used in household equipment, general tools, vehicles, and manufacturing implements, it also saw its use in environmental implements.

1981–2000

In the 1980s, duplex stainless steel emerged. Manufacturers found that its corrosive resistant capabilities and affordable cost made it great for corrosion-heavy applications. Both the chemical industry and underwater oil industry made great use out of duplex stainless steel, even to this day.

2001–Present

These days, stainless steel is used in almost everything. With over 100 different alloys available, there is one to fit just about every application. Stainless steel can be found in cooking equipment, automobile components, manufacturing instruments, pipelines, and a variety of other entities.

Looking to Buy Stainless Steel Products?

Are you looking to purchase stainless steel products? Do you need stainless steel pipes, fittings, weldings, or bars? If so, Great Plains Stainless is the company to call.

We offer a wide variety of stainless steel products, all of which are available in a number of different alloys, including S31803 (Duplex or 2205) and N08904 (904L). Regardless of where you are located in the world, we can get these products to you in a safe and timely manner.

Contact us now to discuss your stainless steel needs!

Content and Ownership of Posted Content

Please read before posting a comment...

Each User owns and is responsible for the content that such User posts on our Great Plains Stainless Site, including information that such User publishes and makes available for other Users to view.

Representations and Warranties.

By posting content on our Site, you represent and warrant that:

  • You are entitled to submit the content;
  • The information is accurate;
  • The information is not confidential;
  • The posting of the information is not in violation of any applicable laws, contractual restrictions or other third party rights.
  • It is solely your responsibility to ensure the accuracy of your profile and submitted content and to update that information as appropriate.

License and Use of Content.

In order for you to share your information with others, Great Plains needs your permission to reproduce your information on or through this Site. Therefore, under these Terms and Conditions, by submitting, posting or displaying any content to or on this Site, you agree to grant Great Plains a non-exclusive, worldwide, assignable, sub-licensable, and royalty-free right that permits us to copy, distribute, publish, remove, retain, and use your content or information without any further consent, notice or compensation for the sole purpose of enabling Great Plains to provide you with its Services.

Additionally, with the objective of reaching more people and facilitating connections, you hereby grant Great Plains the right to share published information from our Site with other sites with which we have partnerships. Information published on our Site may become public information at the time of its distribution on other sites, via email alerts, RSS feeds, search engines, and other social media tools.

Furthermore, by submitting or posting content on the Site, you agree to provide other users with a license to permit Users of the Site to download and share content from this Site, provided that they properly attribute the work to the author, do not alter it in any way, and do not copy or use the work for commercial purposes.

User-to-User Communication and Sharing. The Site includes various forums and blogs where you can post your observations and comments on designated topics. Great Plains cannot guarantee that other Users will not use the ideas and information that you share. Therefore, if you have an idea or information that you would like to keep confidential and/or do not want others to use, do not post it on the Site.

Great Plains is not responsible for a User's misuse or misappropriation of any content or information that you post in any forums, blogs, and other sections of the Site.