Stainless steel sinks are all the rage in kitchens today, and have been for generations. Some homeowners see these sinks as versatile and highly appealing, while others just see it as a cold, metallic eyesore that is out of place with the rest of the kitchen. Everyone has their taste, but if you are curious about what the appeal is behind stainless steel sinks, here are some answers to frequently asked questions about stainless steel.
What Is Stainless Steel Made Up Of?
Stainless steel is rather simple to produce, as it is derived from some of the most common materials mined and found on earth. These include iron ore, nickel, carbon, nitrogen, chromium, and manganese. All these materials are what gives stainless steel its look and all of its positive factors. These include color, sheen, hardness, sleekness, and everything in between.
Why Are Sinks Made of Stainless Steel?
Stainless steel is a material that can be made into many different modern appliances and items, from knives and utensils to undermount kitchen sinks. This is because stainless steel is strong, resistant to extreme temperatures, and cannot rust like other materials. The stainless-steel industry has been steadily increasing since decades ago, and the production of stainless steel is as high as it has ever been. Stainless steel is a remarkable material for inside and outside the kitchen for being a reliable and resilient material.
How Is Stainless Steel Created?
There is a multi-step process that stainless steel goes through in order to get the form that it does for kitchen sinks. Firstly, raw materials are exposed to extreme heat, melting them down until they become one single material. After these materials are melted, the concoction is cast into a mold in order for the stainless steel to get its shape; in this case, the stainless-steel sink. From molds, steel can be made into any shape imaginable, from thick slabs to thin wires. It’s incredibly easy for stainless steel to be made into unique shapes, which is why it is so popular for kitchen sinks.
Can Stainless Steel Be Recyclable?
Stainless steel can be recyclable. If there is ever a point in which your stainless-steel sink basin has seen better days, it can be recycled rather than outright be discarded. Considering that stainless steel is made of natural materials such as nickel and iron ore, it can be remade and repurposed for another use at a certain point in time. Thus, there is no need to worry about when the time comes that the kitchen needs another remodeling.
Can Stainless Steel Magnetize?
Stainless steel is known as an iron alloy. What this means is that while a stainless-steel sink isn’t known to be iron, iron is used to make it into stainless steel. Iron is known to be a magnetic material, but stainless steel can either have or lack magnetism. This depends on what other materials are used to make the sink in addition to how the sink is made. Stainless steel can certainly be magnetic if its materials are combined in a certain way. One of the types of stainless steels that is widely known for being magnetic is called ferritic stainless steel.
Conclusion
For those who are curious about why stainless steel has the features that it does, or how stainless-steel sinks are made, these are the answers for questions that many homeowners have. Stainless steel is a versatile and hard material that is ideal for kitchen sinks, and it is also affordable due to how easy they are to make.