Stainless steel was invented in the 1920s by a German scientist. It is an alloy of iron, nickel and 10 percent chrome. The name refers to the fact that it resists rust, and can therefore be used on building exteriors. Stainless steel comes in several types, classified according to the alloying substances used and their amounts. It may be worked by casting, forging, bending, rolling, drawing and extrusion, and may be welded or soldered. It is used in architecture where high quality, strength and corrosion resistance are important, and may form part of [G 04 / curtain walls], windows, doors and so on. The Empire State Building was the first major building to use stainless steel in its architecture.
