Stainless Steel
Precision Performance for High-Footfall Areas

The success story of stainless steel—originally known under trade names like “Nirosta” and “V2A steel”—began in 1912 with patents from the Krupp company in Essen. From complex applications in automotive construction to precise architectural details, this material has proven itself across disciplines thanks to its outstanding material performance.

The category of "stainless steel" encompasses more than 100 rust- and acid-resistant alloys. For our hardware, we use a high-alloy chromium-nickel steel (material no. 1.4301 as per DIN 17 440), composed of approximately 18% chromium and 8% nickel. This composition has long proven itself in architecture—even under extreme conditions.

The superiority of stainless steel as a material for door and window hardware becomes evident in four key properties:

• Corrosion resistance: extreme resilience against environmental influences

• Mechanical strength: highly resistant to dents and scratches, even under heavy use

• Abrasion resistance: retains shape and performance in continuous operation

• Ease of maintenance: minimal upkeep thanks to alloy elements like chromium and nickel

Of special note is the self-regenerating passive layer on the material’s surface, which contributes antimicrobial properties—a functional bonus in hygiene-sensitive environments.

We especially recommend stainless steel hardware for high-footfall access points in:

• Public and administrative buildings

• Health-care facilities such as hospitals

• Maritime environments and ships

• Highway rest stops and transportation hubs

• Sports and recreation facilities

Wherever high user footfall meets demanding conditions, stainless steel delivers peak performance with minimal maintenance.

Stainless steel hardware is virtually maintenance-free. Surface dirt can be removed with a damp cloth. In outdoor or chlorine-rich environments, light rust may occasionally appear—this is only surface-level “flash rust” from external sources and can be easily wiped away.

Our stainless steel models FSB 1016 and FSB 1076 have been awarded Bronze-level certification under the international Cradle to Cradle product standard—currently the only products of their kind in the architectural hardware sector to receive this distinction. The certificate confirms compliance with the highest standards for material health, circularity, and social responsibility.