Plant your garden
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Working in gardens and green spaces requires tools that are durable, comfortable and able to withstand moisture and intensive use. Among the most valued materials, stainless steel ranks high for its resistance to corrosion, ease of cleaning and long service life.
In gardening, stainless steels of the austenitic, ferritic and martensitic families are mainly used, each of them chosen according to the kind of tool and its function. Austenitic steels, such as grade AISI 304 (with approximately 18% chromium and 8% nickel contents), are widely used in watering cans, tanks, fasteners and ornamental structures. Due to their high corrosion resistance and good weldability, they are ideal for parts that are in frequent contact with water, fertilisers and humidity environments.
Cutting tools, such as pruning shears, grafting knives and small saws, are mainly made of martensitic steels, especially grade AISI 420.
This stainless steel contains chromium and a higher percentage of carbon than austenitic steels, which results in high hardness and a stronger cutting edge after sharpening. Although its corrosion resistance is lower, it is suitable for applications requiring precise and repetitive cutting.
On the other hand, ferritic stainless steels, such as grade AISI 430, are used in tools that do not require a sharp cutting edge, such as shovels, hoes and rakes. This grade of stainless steel contains a high percentage of chromium (around 16-18%). Its structure facilitates formability and enables large parts to be produced at lower production cost.
The surface finish of the tools, usually satin or polished, facilitates cleaning and prevents the accumulation of soil and sap, reducing the transmission of diseases between plants. The correct choice of stainless steel based on the function ensures consistent performance, reduced maintenance and increased user comfort. In this way, stainless steel helps to keep gardening tools efficient and safe over many years.