Steel wool
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Steel wool is a bundle of strands of very fine steel filaments, used in finishing and repair work to polish wood or metal objects, and for household cleaning. Steel Wool is manufactured from special steel wool wire. Steel Wool is mainly used by woodworkers and craftsmen working with paint, lacquer and varnish. Often it is used for professional cleaning processes not only on wooden surfaces but also on marble, stone and glass because it is softer than these materials.
For household cleaning use, in the United States it is sold as soap-impregnated pads under such trade names as Brillo Pad or SOS.
Steel wool also serves as an acceptable form of Ne'itzah (scouring) according to Orthodox Jewish laws of Kashrut.
Very fine steel wool is sometimes carried for use as tinder in emergency situations; it burns even when wet, and can be ignited by fire, a spark, or by connecting a battery to produce joule heating. See campfire.
| Type | Lower specification limit | Upper specification limit |
|---|---|---|
| 000# | 0.00635 | 0.00889 |
| 00# | 0.00889 | 0.0127 |
| 0# | 0.0127 | 0.0381 |
| 1# | 0.0381 | 0.0635 |
| 2# | 0.0635 | 0.0889 |
| 3# | 0.0889 | 0.1143 |
| 4# | 0.1143 | 0.1778 |
In Europe Steel Wool products offer an enlarged range of grades like the coarser grades 5 and 6 and the very fine grade 0000. Also rust-free (inoxydable) Steel Wool is available.
