Stainless Steel Provides a Perfect Blend of Characteristics For Today’s Contemporary Architecture
Hunza stainless steel luminaires are machined from very high grade, solid and hollow bar stock, with heavy-duty wall thickness (typically 9mm or 11/32”), and excellent resistance to deterioration, subject to standard stainless cleaning routines.
At Hunza we only use 316 grade stainless in the manufacture of our luminaires, which provides one of the best levels of corrosion resistance for this type of metal. Stainless steel provides a perfect blend of characteristics for today’s contemporary architecture, with a stylish, semi-industrial appearance and the hardness that makes it ideal for high-usage areas, both indoors and out.
Hunza strongly recommends that stainless fixtures are specified with an electro-polished finish. This will increase the surface protection by up to 33% and reduce the maintenance requirements, especially in high-risk environments such as those subject to salt-laden air. Electropolishing is a process that removes the minute flaws on the surface level of stainless steel using an electric current. This smoothed surface reduces corrosion and gives an attractive finish. Hunza stainless steel luminaires are supplied with a special high-temperature grease on the trim threads to ensure easy disassembly for re-lamping.
Stainless steel resists corrosion mainly due to the chromium content used in the steel alloy “recipe”. Iron, the primary component of stainless steel, is very prone to oxidation (rust) in its pure form. Chromium helps to slow down the oxidation process by combining with oxygen to form a tough, adherent, inert layer of chromium oxide on the steel surface. If damaged mechanically or chemically, this layer is self-healing in the presence of sufficient oxygen.
Stainless steel provides a perfect blend of characteristics for today’s contemporary architecture
Generally, an increase in chromium content improves the corrosion resistance of stainless steels. The addition of nickel raises the general corrosion resistance to a level suited to more aggressive environments. The further addition of molybdenum (Mo) improves the corrosion resistance to localised effects such as pitting or scarring.
Hunza is possibly the only lighting manufacturer in the world to machine the knuckle used in our Wall, Spike and Pole luminaires out of 316 stainless steel. Most other manufacturers use chromed brass knuckles, which can deteriorate quickly in salt-laden air environments.
Stainless steel takes three times as long as aluminium and copper to machine, therefore the cost is proportionately higher. However this is offset by the high-durability and desirable appearance. All stainless steel materials are prone to surface staining (“tea staining”) if surface contaminants are accumulated, so stainless steel outdoor luminaires should be washed from time to time.
Stainless steel fixtures are covered by a 10 year warranty.