Skip to content

Cart

Your cart is empty

Article: Stainless steel: Why doesn't it rust?

Pourquoi l'acier inoxydable ne rouille pas?

Stainless steel: Why doesn't it rust?

Steel is a metal alloy made up mainly of iron and carbon. There are several types of steel, some of which are stainless. But why doesn't stainless steel rust? To answer this question, we will present you the specificities of this steel.

1. The formation of steel 

Steel is an alloy of metal made up mainly of iron but also of carbon. The carbon added between 0.02% and 2% turns iron into steel and makes it even stronger but also gives it a certain "flexibility", which is why steel is widely used for construction. At this point steel is not a stainless alloy. Above 3% carbon, iron becomes cast iron but this large amount of carbon makes this metal very hard but also brittle. This is why iron is nowadays almost not used in its raw form but almost automatically converted into steel.

2. Steel, an oxidizable alloy 

Raw steel is an oxidizable alloy. It will naturally bond with the oxygen molecules present in the air or water through oxidation-reduction reactions. This reaction is more commonly called "corrosion". These reactions result in the appearance of iron oxide and hydroxide, also known as "rust", the famous red-orange substance found on some iron structures. Rust is a destructive agent that consumes steel, and leads initially to the creation of small holes on the surface of a steel element, until the complete decomposition of the latter, hence the need to create a durable alloy over time escaping these reactions.

3. From steel to stainless steel

Strauss and Maurer, two German chemists, filed a patent in 1912 to exploit the first stainless steel, a clever mixture of steel, chromium and nickel that makes the steel very resistant to corrosion and prevents it from rusting. The chromium content of stainless steel is at least 10.5%, its carbon content must be less than 1.2% and its nickel content of about 8%. 3 categories of stainless steel exist: ferritic, martensitic and austenitic stainless steels.

4. What are the characteristics of 316 and 316L steel?

316L steel is a type of austenitic stainless steel with a carbon content of no more than 0.02%, the amount of chromium is around 17% and the nickel content is 10-12.5%. To this alloy is added 2 to 2.5% of Molybdenum. The L in the abbreviation 316L means that it is a "low carbon" steel. The fact that there is a minimum of carbon in the structure of this alloy prevents the creation of this precipitation and therefore the steel is not subject to corrosion.

5. Why is there stainless 316L-Steel in our watches?

For all our men's watches and women's watches we have chosen to work with stainless steel 316L. As you can see, this alloy is known for its durability and also its high resistance to corrosion, 2 elements that we consider essential for the case of our automatic watches. From an aesthetic point of view, 316L steel is a stainless steel whose brilliance lasts over time and does not tarnish.

Finally, 316L steel can be recycled very easily and completely. Thus stainless steel watches can have a new life.  Stainless steel can be recycled endlessly without losing its quality. The commitment of an ecological point of view being part of the strong values at Charlie Paris, it is naturally that we turned to this type of steel for our Made in France watches

You might like these articles

Qui a inventé la montre et en quelle année ?

Who invented the watch and in what year?

Before the invention of the watch, it was not easy to have an idea of the time, it was necessary to wait to go to a city to consult the only clock hanging on the bell tower.

Read more
Verre saphir ou verre minéral, quelles différences?

Sapphire, mineral or acrylic glass, which glass to choose for your watch?

Between the Sapphire glass, the mineral glass or the acrylic glass, it's difficult to see the difference. The Charlie team explains in detail the characteristics of each.

Read more

You might also like...

Fête des Mères : 5 montres Charlie Paris pour lui faire plaisir

Mother's Day: 5 Charlie Paris watches to please her

Mother's Day is fast approaching, and what better way to give a gift than with a watch that combines elegance, precision, and functionality? Explore our 5 flagship models that will delight women w...

Read more
Quel futur pour l'horlogerie française ?

What future for French watchmaking?

Between tradition and innovation, French watchmaking is experiencing a new lease of life. Discover how the TimeFest trade shows in Bordeaux and We Love Watches in Paris are celebrating this renais...

Read more
Étapes d'assemblage horlogerie

Everything you need to know about the steps involved in assembling a watch

At Charlie Paris, assembling our watches in France is more than just a promise: it's a concrete commitment. Each model is carefully assembled in our Parisian workshop, the result of rigorous and p...

Read more
Couronne vissée : à quoi sert-elle et pourquoi est-elle si importante en horlogerie ?

Screw-down crown: what is it for and why is it so important in watchmaking?

Discover the importance of the screw-down crown in watchmaking. Essential for the water resistance and robustness of watches, it protects the movement against water and dust infiltration. Featured...

Read more
5 montres pour le printemps

Our selection of watches in spring colors

Looking for the perfect watch for spring? Discover our selection of five fresh and elegant watches from the Sauge collection by Charlie Paris.

Read more
Les plus belles revues de montres Charlie Paris 2025

The most beautiful Charlie Paris watch reviews 2025

Because a watch never lives alone, we've gathered your most beautiful photos of Charlie Paris watches here. Thank you for these inspiring views.

Read more
Montre étanche ou résistante à l’eau : quelle différence ?

Waterproof or water-resistant watch: what's the difference?

What does a "water-resistant" watch really mean? And what's the difference between a waterproof watch and a waterproof watch? We'll explain everything you need to know to make the right choice.

Read more
Pourquoi porte-t-on sa montre à gauche plus qu'à droite ?

Why do we wear our watch on the left side more than on the right?

Many of you wear your Charlie on your wrist, but not just any wrist! Very often the left one.  There are various explanations for this, but just for you, we have chosen three.

Read more
Pourquoi offrir une montre à un homme ? Voici les différentes  siginifications.

Why give a watch to a man? Here are the different meanings.

Giving a man a watch is more than just a gift. It's a gesture that embodies time, shared memories, and the values we wish to convey.

Read more