Energy & Industry / Manufacturing & Construction

Stainless & Alloy Steels

Harry Brearley's chromium steel (Sheffield, 1913) and Krupp's chrome-nickel Nirosta (patented 1912) began the family of rust-resistant stainless steels.

Brearley was seeking a corrosion-resistant steel for gun barrels; Benno Strauss and Eduard Maurer of Krupp patented the austenitic 18/8 type (AISI 304) on 17 October 1912. Stainless steels hold at least about 10.5% chromium, and about 58 million tonnes of flat and long products were made in 2021.