Do you know why stainless steel wire mesh sometimes rusts?

In daily life, we sometimes see stainless steel wire mesh rusting. Do you know why stainless steel wire mesh sometimes rusts? The main reason is that the surface of the product has a strong, dense, and stable chromium-rich oxide film (protective film), which prevents oxygen atoms from further penetrating and oxidizing, thus providing rust resistance. Once this film is continuously damaged for some reason, oxygen atoms in the air or liquid will continuously separate out, forming loose iron oxide, and the metal surface will be continuously corroded. There are many ways this surface film can be damaged,

The most common are as follows: 1. Dust containing other metal elements or foreign metal particles accumulates on the surface of the stainless steel wire mesh. In humid air, the deposits and condensation between the stainless steel wire mesh and the deposits form a micro-battery, triggering an electrochemical reaction that damages the protective film, a phenomenon known as electrochemical corrosion. 2. Organic liquids (such as vegetable juice, noodle soup, phlegm, etc.) adhere to the surface of the stainless steel wire mesh filter tube. In the presence of water and oxygen, these form organic acids, which corrode the metal surface over time. 3. Adhesion of acidic, alkaline, or saline substances (such as alkaline water or lime water splashed during wall decoration) to the stainless steel surface can cause localized corrosion. 4. In polluted air (such as air containing large amounts of sulfides, carbon oxides, and nitrogen oxides), condensation can form sulfuric acid, nitric acid, and acetic acid droplets, causing chemical corrosion. All of the above situations can damage the protective film on the surface of the stainless steel mesh filter pipe, leading to rust.

Therefore, we recommend that to ensure the metal surface remains permanently bright and rust-free, 1. the surface of the decorative stainless steel filter mesh must be cleaned and wiped regularly to remove adhering substances and eliminate external factors that may cause corrosion. In coastal areas, 316 stainless steel should be used, as it resists seawater corrosion. Some stainless steel pipes on the market do not meet the relevant national standards for chemical composition and do not meet the requirements of 304 material. Therefore, they can also cause rust, and it is essential to purchase 304 or higher grade stainless steel.