Metal materials for making faucets- Stainless Steel

Metal materials for making faucets- Stainless Steel

In addition to copper, the other common metal material for faucets is stainless steel.

Steel is harder than brass and has a higher melting point, making it more difficult than brass to cast and machine. But, it contains no lead, which in today's regulatory environment is a big plus. And, because it is stronger, castings can be thinner, saving on material.

The stainless steel used in faucets, 304 or 316 stainless contains 18% chrom­ium and 8-10% nickel. The nickel gives the steel a particular crystalline structure which increases its strength and malleability. The chromium (or chrome) helps the steel resist corrosion. A small amount of molyb­denum (2-3%) is added to 316 steel to better resist acids. Both alloys are austenitic steels meaning they are low- or non-magnetic.

Stainless 304, known as "food grade" stainless, is by far the more commonly-used alloy for making faucets. However, 316 stainless, known as "marine grade" stainless, has superior resistance to pitting, corrosion, and staining, particularly in acidic or salt environments. For Kitchen Faucets, it is considered the better material, but it is more expensive. Only a few manufacturers use it in their faucets, including Waterstone which switched from 304 to 316 stainless in 2019, and Concinnity which sells stainless kitchen faucets made in Italy by Super Inox S.R.L.

To make things a little more confusing, there are actually two commonly used grades of 304 stainless. The more widespread is 18/8, representing the proportion of chromium and nickel in the alloy: 18% chromium and 8% nickel. Stainless steel faucets are usually made from 18/8 stainless.

But, some stainless faucets are made from 18/10 stainless, a slightly better grade containing 10% nickel used to make knives, fine cookware, flatware, and restaurant-quality sinks. The added nickel makes the alloy a little harder, able to take a higher polish and, for knives, a sharper edge.

Some less expensive faucets, made primarily in Asia, contain a lower quality stainless. As a buyer, you should always look for a certification that the steel used in the faucet is 304 (18/8 or 18/10) or 316 steel. Just the word "stainless" is not enough.