Does Stainless Steel Pipe Rust？

Stainless steel relies on a very thin, solid, fine and stable chromium rich oxide film (protective film) formed on its surface to prevent the oxygen atoms from permeating and oxidizing continuously, so as to obtain the ability of corrosion resistance. Once there is a certain reason, the protective film is constantly broken, the oxygen atoms in the air or liquid will continuously penetrate or the iron atoms in the metal will continuously separate, forming loose iron oxide, and the surface of stainless steel pipe will be continuously rusted.

The common corrosion and rust of stainless steel pipe are as follows:

1. In the humid air, the condensation water between the dust and the stainless steel tube forms a micro battery, which leads to the electrochemical reaction, and the protective film is broken, which is called electrochemical corrosion.

2. The surface of stainless steel tube adheres to organic matter juice (such as melon, vegetable, noodle soup, phlegm, etc.), which forms organic acid under the condition of water and oxygen, and the corrosion of organic acid to metal surface will occur for a long time.

3. The surface of stainless steel pipe is adhered with acid, alkali and salt substances (such as alkali water and lime water splashing on the decoration wall), causing local corrosion.

4. In the polluted air (such as the atmosphere containing a large number of sulfides, carbon oxides and nitrogen oxides), when encountering condensed water, sulfuric acid, nitric acid, acetic acid liquid, etc. are formed, causing chemical corrosion.

These conditions are reflected in the corrosion and mildew on the surface of stainless steel pipe. The main reason for these situations is that the stainless steel pipe is not well maintained and cleaned at ordinary times, resulting in welding slag, paint or surface coating falling off, resulting in stainless steel pipe rust. In addition, the use environment of stainless steel pipe is also a major factor leading to rust. For example, in coastal areas and areas with poor water quality, if it is in these environments for a long time, stainless steel will produce mildew spots, which will lead to stainless steel pipe rust.

During the use of stainless steel pipe, it is necessary to pay attention to the protection, regular maintenance and cleaning, and try not to attach mud, paint, cement, paint and other substances to the surface of stainless steel pipe. If there is water stain on the surface of stainless steel pipe for a long time, it needs to be cleaned in time, otherwise it will rust, affecting the use effectiveness and service life of stainless steel pipe.