Are stainless steel screws stable in an oxidizing atmosphere?

As a commonly used connector, stainless steel screws are widely used in various industrial and civil fields due to their good corrosion resistance and high strength. Oxidizing atmosphere refers to an environment containing oxygen or certain oxidizing substances, which may affect the stability of the material. In many applications, especially those involving high temperature, chemical reactions or extreme working conditions, the stability of the screws is particularly important. For stainless steel screws, whether it can maintain stability in an oxidizing atmosphere is an important indicator for evaluating its applicability and reliability.
The oxidation resistance of stainless steel screws comes from their unique alloy composition. Typical stainless steel materials such as austenitic stainless steel contain a high proportion of chromium, which allows a thin layer of chromium oxide film to form quickly on the surface of stainless steel. This oxide film can effectively isolate external oxygen from the metal structure inside the stainless steel, thereby preventing further oxidation reactions. Compared with ordinary steel, stainless steel has significant corrosion resistance, so it can maintain good stability in many oxidizing atmospheres. This feature allows stainless steel screws to effectively prevent corrosion and degradation when exposed to oxidizing gases.
Although stainless steel screws have good stability in an oxidizing atmosphere, this does not mean that they can completely avoid oxidation and damage in all cases. Different types of stainless steel materials have different tolerances to oxidizing atmospheres. Some low-alloy stainless steels may gradually break or fall off the oxide film in a high-temperature oxidizing atmosphere, exposing the metal surface and accelerating the corrosion process. High-alloy stainless steels, such as those containing more nickel or molybdenum, have stronger resistance to high-temperature oxidation and can remain stable for a longer time in more severe oxidizing atmospheres.
In addition to the alloy composition, the surface treatment process of stainless steel screws will also affect their performance in oxidizing atmospheres. Stainless steel screws that have undergone appropriate heat treatment or surface coating can further enhance their oxidation resistance. For example, some stainless steel screws may be passivated on the surface to form a stronger oxide film and improve their stability in oxidizing environments. In addition, by electroplating or spraying other antioxidant materials, such as aluminum or nickel, the oxidation resistance of stainless steel screws can be effectively enhanced, making them more stable in oxidizing atmospheres.
Even stainless steel screws may still experience some degradation when exposed to high-temperature, high-oxidizing atmospheres for a long time. For example, at extremely high temperatures, the oxide film may break and cause the metal itself to come into contact with oxygen, thereby accelerating corrosion. The stability of the oxide layer will also be affected by other factors in the working environment, such as gas composition, humidity, acidity and alkalinity, etc. In some oxidizing atmospheres containing corrosive gases such as sulfides or chlorides, the oxidation resistance of stainless steel may also be suppressed, making the material more susceptible to corrosion.