Buildings
Structure, lining, insulation or finish depending on family.
Darker cells mean a higher score for this topic on that metric.
Strength74
Heat resistance76
Fire performance86
Insulation10
Workability70
Circularity68
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Quick answers
Is Stainless steel non-combustible?
Declared reaction class in this atlas: A1 metal. Assemblies still need resistance tests.
Does Stainless steel insulate?
Thermal mark 10/100 versus the atlas. Conductivity note: ~15 W/m·K (austenitic).
What is the density band?
~8.0 g/cm³
How is it made?
Origin story: 1913 Brearley / Strauss (Sheffield / Essen).
Can it be recycled?
Circularity mark 68/100 — editorial, route-specific.
Typical melting or failure heat?
~1400–1450 °C
heat 76 · fire 86
Stainless steel earns its keep in systems: a beam, a batt, a fibre blend, a coated steel — rarely a lone coupon.
Products below are cultural landmarks as much as SKUs.
Sectors
Transport
Mass, fire and fatigue rewrite the grade list.
Energy
Heat, voltage and hydrogen compatibility.
Consumer
The volume that pays for the mill.
Medical / food
When allowed — extractables and allergies matter.
Defence / safety
Ballistics, FR clothing, fire stops.
Products
Harry Brearley
1913
Chrysler Building crown
1930
Gateway Arch
1965
304 sink
postwar
Duplex riser
1980s–
Shinkansen skin bits
1964–
Surgical 316L
20th c.–
Krupp V2A
1912
Pairings
steel
The parent without the chromium film.
titanium
When chlorides beat even 316.
copper
Different corrosion colour language.
glass
The other hygienic surface in pharma.
If the pairing is wrong, the material will be blamed for a system fault.
Keep exploring
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The first industrial conductor — wiring, heat exchangers, roofs that go green.
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