Architecture, Building and Construction

Architecture, building and construction is a growing market as many modern buildings use stainless steels for cladding, roofing and facades. Another thing is that the low maintenance cost and anti-vandal characteristics of stainless provides a growing market in public transport, ticket machines and street furniture. Stainless steels are used for construction purposes, as well. When reinforced concrete first started to be used it was considered that the carbon steel used would not rust, as cement, obviously derived from limestone, is alkaline. However, constantly using grit salt on bridges can change the pH to acidic thereby rusting the steel which expands and cracks the concrete. Stainless steel reinforcing bar, although initially expensive, is proving to have very good life cycle costing characteristics.