Did you know that stainless steel has the ability to "heal" itself? This unique property is due to the steel's built-in passive layer – a thin film consisting primarily of chromium oxide. When the surface is damaged or scratched by external impact, the chromium in the steel reacts with oxygen in the air and quickly builds up a new protective layer. Thanks to this invisible, self-healing layer, stainless steel can resist corrosion and therefore last longer in everything from kitchen utensils and medical instruments to large construction projects. It is this special property that makes stainless steel both a durable and popular material in so many different contexts.