Tool steel is the term for a group of alloy steels with a high chromium and carbon content. The main difference between this and stainless steel is the high carbon content which makes the tool harder.
ADVANTAGES
DISADVANTAGES
Hard
Brittle due its carbon content
Corrodes easier than stainless steel
Stainless steel
Stainless steel is an iron alloy which contains a minimum of 10.5% chromium. It can also have added elements such as nickel, titanium and copper which enhances its properties, including its strength.
ADVANTAGES
DISADVANTAGES
Will not tarnish
Corrosion resistance
Soft in comparison to tool steel
The best material to choose for your wire gauge would be stainless steel due to its chromium content. This provides the gauge with the most corrosion resistance.
What are wire gauges coated in?
Wire gauges are plated with a satin chrome finish. This is where a thin layer of chromium is electroplated onto the steel, which aids corrosion resistance and hardness.
Electroplating is where a wire gauge is dipped into a solution containing dissolved chromium. An electrical current is then pulsed through the wire gauge and the solution. This makes the wire gauge negatively charged and the chromium solution positively charged, so that they are attracted.
