Stainless Steel

Stainless steel is an iron alloy containing a significant proportion of chromium, which forms a thin, self-repairing oxide layer that gives the metal its resistance to rust and staining, unlike ordinary carbon steel. Developed in the early twentieth century, it found rapid architectural use in cladding, structural accents, handrails and fittings where corrosion resistance and a bright, reflective finish were wanted, notably the stainless-steel arches and spire of St. Louis's Gateway Arch and the crown of New York's Chrysler Building, and its combination of strength, low maintenance and visual permanence has kept it a standard choice for exposed metalwork on contemporary buildings.