Steel wool, also known asiron wool orwire sponge, is a bundle of very fine and flexible sharp-edgedsteel filaments. It is the most common type ofwire wool and is often the type meant when wire wool is mentioned. It was described as a new product in 1896.[1] It is used as anabrasive in finishing and repair work forpolishing wood or metal objects, cleaning household cookware, cleaning windows, and sanding surfaces.[2]
Steel wool is made from low-carbon steel in a process similar tobroaching, where a heavysteel wire is pulled through a toothed die that removes thin, sharp, wire shavings.[2]
Steel wool is commonly used by woodworkers, metal craftsmen, and jewelers to clean and smooth working surfaces and give them shine.[3]However, when used onoak, remaining traces of iron may react withtannins in the wood to produce blue or blackiron stain, and when used on aluminum, brass, or other non-ferrous metal surfaces may causeafter-rust which will dull and discolor the surface.Bronze wool andstainless steel wool will not cause these undesirable effects.
Steel wool is often used for professional cleaning processes onglass and porcelain because it is softer than those materials and is able to scrape off deposits without scratching the underlying surface like common abrasives.[citation needed] In many countries, soap-impregnated steel wool pads were sold under varioustrade names includingBrillo Pad,Chore Boy, andS.O.S Soap Pad for household cleaning, although those products sometimes no longer contain steel wool.
Another use for steel wool is inrodent control. Small holes are plugged with coarse grade steel wool, which, if gnawed on by rodents, causes extreme pain in the mouth and, if ingested, severe internal damage may lead to death.
When steel wool is heated or allowed to rust, it increases in mass due to the combination ofoxygen with iron.
The fine cross-section of steel wool makes it combustible in air.Light painting, where many sparks are released, is one application.Very fine steel wool can also be used astinder in emergency situations, as it burns even when wet and can be ignited by fire, a spark, or by connecting a battery to producejoule heating.
Steel wool products are supplied in grades from the coarser grades 3 and 4 to the super fine grade 0000. Rust-resistant (stainless) steel wool is also available.
| Grade Name | Grade Code | inches | μm |
|---|---|---|---|
| Super Fine | 0000# | 0.0010 | 25 |
| Extra Fine | 000# | 0.0015 | 35 |
| Very Fine | 00# | 0.0018 | 40 |
| Fine | 0# | 0.0020 | 50 |
| Medium | 1# | 0.0025 | 60 |
| Medium Coarse | 2# | 0.0030 | 75 |
| Coarse | 3# | 0.0035 | 90 |
| Extra Coarse | 4# | 0.0040 | 100 |