Stainless steel in jewelry and its characteristics

Why choose stainless steel?

Many metal accessories sold on the site of Perles & co are made of stainless steel.

Always the same anxieties and the same questions: does this article contain nickel? Is stainless steel durable over time?
Here is a little topo so that you are on top ;-)

1. What is stainless steel?

Stainless steel, also called stainless steel, is a metal that is widely used in all areas of domestic and industrial life, due to its great stainless qualities.
It is an alloy of iron, chromium, nickel and carbon necessary to guarantee the formation of a self-healing surface layer that makes it stainless.

2. What is the composition of stainless steel?

• More than 50%iron.
• Chromium

  & carbon.

  According to the European standard EN 10088-13, a steel is classified as stainless steel if it contains a minimum of 10.5% chromium by mass and a maximum of 1.2% carbon, which will prevent the formation of carbides that are harmful to the material.
• Nickel. It homogenizes the alloy. It provides the properties of flexibility, malleability and resilience (shape memory). The regulations are very strict for jewelry. The European directive on nickel (94/27/CE in its latest version of September 27, 2004) requires that the nickel release rate be 0.5 micrograms per cm 2 (of the part's surface) per week for articles in direct and prolonged contact with the skin. This migration limit is lowered to 0.2 µg/cm²/week for piercing.
  That is why most of the alloys containing nickel have been removed. But some are still allowed, such as stainless steels.
• Other elements:
  

  - Manganese

  is a substitute for nickel. Some series of stainless steel alloys have been developed to cope with uncertainties in nickel supply.
  -

  Molybdenum

  and copper improve the resistance in most corrosive environments, especially acidic ones (e.g. perspiration), but also in phosphoric and sulfuric solutions.
  -

  Tungsten

  improves the high temperature resistance of stainless steels.
  -

  Titanium

  avoids the alteration of the metallurgical structures during hot work, in particular during welding, thus preserving the stainless character of the steel by avoiding chromium depletion.
  -

  Niobium

  has a much higher melting point than titanium and has similar properties.
  -

  Silicon

  also plays a role in oxidation resistance.

3. What are the advantages of stainless steel?

Stainless steel has several advantages:

• It is heat malleable and can be engraved.
• It is hypoallergenic. It does not cause any reaction on the skin except in very rare cases.
• It is ecological. Its impact on the environment is low, because it does not release nickel and it can be recycled endlessly ....
• It is almost indestructible and non-deformable.
• It requires little maintenance.
• 100% recyclable

4. Why does stainless steel rust?

Steel can oxidize in certain cases (for example, very high temperatures: over 800°C). Under normal conditions of use, the chromium oxide contained in stainless steel develops a transparent oxide film on the metal. This film is a barrier to any intrusion that could lead to oxidation (even if the metal has suffered an impact, the protective barrier will reform).
Stainless steel with these characteristics will not oxidize or turn black in the face of daily aggressions: water, household products, sea water, cosmetics, perspiration, etc.

5. Can stainless steel go in water?

It depends on the quality of your stainless steel jewelry! It is possible to take a shower or a bath with your stainless steel jewelry without it altering. On the other hand, it is not advisable to bathe for a long time in a swimming pool, because chlorine is very aggressive. It eliminates the invisible film created by the chrome to protect the jewelry.
It is also better to remove your jewelry before swimming in the sea or ocean. The salt water could tarnish the jewelry and cause it to rust.

6. 201 stainless steel, 304 stainless steel or 316 stainless steel

Advantages Disadvantages 201 stainless steel

• Less expensive than 304 steel or 316 steel.
• Good alternative for people allergic to nickel.
• Easy to clean.

• Less resistant to corrosion because it contains less chromium.
• Contains up to 7.5% manganese, which gives it a darker appearance.
• Tends to rust.

304 Stainless Steel

• Most common form of stainless steel.
• Heat resistant.
• Low manganese and carbon content.
• Easy to clean
• Contains more chromium than 316 steel.
• Very versatile.

• It is more sensitive to corrosion by chlorides or saline environments (salt water from the sea for example) than 316 stainless steel.

316 stainless steel

• Contains 2-3% molybdenum, which increases resistance to corrosion, chlorinated, iodized and polluted atmospheres.
• Second most common form of stainless steel.
• Stronger.
• Very good resistance to high temperatures.
• Easy to clean.
• 316L stainless steel (L stands for low carbon) can be used for piercings after healing.
  316 LVM (LVM stands for Low Carbon Vacuum Melt) is considered "medical grade". It is the only steel that is allowed to come into contact with wounds, as it contains less than 0.05% nickel. Hence the name "surgical steel". It is thus the only one authorized to make a piercing.

• More expensive than steel 201 or stainless steel 304.
• It contains more nickel than 304 steel.