Why ships are never built with stainless steel

Why aren’t giant cargo ships built out of stainless steel? If stainless steel doesn't rust, wouldn't it solve the endless cycle of painting, sandblasting, and corrosion maintenance in seawater? In this video, we break down the engineering, chemistry, and economics behind modern shipbuilding—and why using stainless steel for ocean-going vessels is actually a dangerous and costly mistake. ⏱️ Timestamps / Chapters: 00:00 – The Real Challenge of Ocean Engineering 00:56 – The Constant Battle Against Saltwater Corrosion 01:32 – The Myth: Is Stainless Steel Really Rust-Proof? 02:10 – The Staggering Economics of Building Giant Ships 03:07 – Pitting & Crevice Corrosion: How Saltwater Destroys Stainless Steel 04:02 – Repair Nightmares & Complex Welding 04:32 – Will Modern Science Ever Find the Perfect Metal? 🔬 Key Topics Covered: Why standard mild steel is still preferred over stainless steel How chloride ions in saltwater destroy the protective chromium oxide layer The hidden dangers of pitting corrosion and crevice corrosion Material costs, fabrication difficulty, and marine maintenance economics 🔔 Subscribe to Evo Sketch for more visual documentaries, science breakdowns, and engineering insights! #Engineering #Shipbuilding #Science #Documentary #MarineEngineering #StainlessSteel #EvoSketch