Is STAINLESS Steel really stainless ?

Find out why it is OXIDABLE, the causes and how to make it resistant to corrosion

Stainless steels have the characteristic of presenting a very thin and invisible layer of chromium oxide on the surface (formed in the air or artificially, using a chemical product) which protects the material from environmental attacks.

In case of heat treatments, welding or high stresses, the formation of the chromium oxide layer is prevented, for this reason stainless steels tend to oxidize.

Unfortunately the surface defects, the inclusions and the deformations generated by the different manufacturing phases compromise this self-protection process thus reducing the resistance to the different types of corrosion.


This means that if you want to restore an acceptable stainless surface quality while safeguarding both the hygienic aspect and the resistance to corrosion, it is essential to ALWAYS carry out a suitable work cycle, see ASTM A380 and A967

To guarantee the stainless steel, it is INDISPENSABLE a work cycle consisting of:

With WE KEM products the surfaces are restored and your stainless steel is made.

WE KEM products help protect and rebuild this passive layer, enabling customers around the world to have protected stainless steel surfaces every day.

For a first approach and to take the first steps in the world of stainless steel treatment, we recommend our handy ABC INOX KIT in a case, complete with the 4 basic products for the correct work cycle (degreasing, pickling, passivation, finishing ).