1. Basic properties and areas of use

1.1 Discovery and development of stainless steels

It's worth pointing out that the extra-ordinary development of stainless steels is due to the widespread availability of the metals used in their composition, i.e. chromium, nickel, molybdenum and manganese, the latter of which can be used as a substitute for nickel.

What's more, these metals need to be economically viable, so that stainless steel can be produced at a competitive cost.

• Chromium

  Chromium ranks 13th among the elements present in the earth's crust. Its average concentration is around 400 ppm.

  The principal ore of chromium, known as chromite, is a chromium spinel corresponding to the chemical formula...