On Wed, 19 Oct 2005 13:07:57 +0100, The3rd Earl Of Derby
wrote:

We have a stainless steel cooker hood which shows finger marks. What
is the best method of cleaning so that marks are not left
Blair

Bleach.

Excellent. Not. Chlorides are excellent corrosive agents for most metals.
While bleach is hypochlorite, it degenerates to the chloride both
spontaneously and in contact with reducing agents. As it does this, the
potential for an electrochemical cell exists. For machining SS,
chlorinated cutting fluids are normally used to prevent the (almost
instantaneous) formation of the very hard chromium oxide layer by instead
forming the chloride. The chloride is soft and so the tool life is greatly
prolonged.

John Schmitt

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