Stainless steel

The chromium within it?

It's a lot shinier than cork because cork has a rough surface at both micro and macroscopic levels.
Cat's eyes are very shiney especially at night as the light reflects back through the lens.
I expect you could make a stainless steel surface which wasn't shiney by sandblasting it.

Del

I expect you could make a stainless steel surface which wasn't shiney by sandblasting it.

Correct, we used to do this on stainless steel enclosures mounted on power poles on the side of the road to prevent passing motorists from being blinded by the reflected sunlight.

'All that glisters is not gold' - the original Shakespeare editions of The Merchant of Venice, 1596.

Polishing!

http://www.3m.com/Product/information/Stainless-Steel-Polish-Cleaner.html

Chromium.

the (fine oxide layer on) chromium prevents the steel from tarnishing, but it is possible to get a mirror finish on ordinary steel by polishing; unless protected it will then rust.

this was done to the rear mudguard of a chopper in build or bust; it was then laquered for protection

So, can I conclude that cromium plays major role in Stainless steel in case of its shine?

Surface finish gives it the shine - chrome helps to keep it there..............why do I do this to myself................

Maybe, but shine is ALL ABOUT SURFACE FINISH.

Del

What makes us driven to answer even the most inane questions from the likes of you?

Keeps us young for one thing.

I am Refreshed I tell you Refreshed!

For instance, I immediately thought, "If you don't like stainless steel, get some Monel."

Then I thought, well, stainless steel is probably cheaper.

Then I remembered how you have to put some rubber gasket there to prevent electric corrosion when using the Monel on the ships railings.

Then I forgot something, and considered how many places have Chromium, and why we really need it.

After that I began to think of superior ceramic and glass and waited for a call from Corning to give me head to make engines from sand and whatnot, instead of copper, nickel, iron and chromium.

Then I returned to some rumination on the carbon nanotubes needed for the Space Elevator on Mt. Kilamajaro. After that I compared the weather there to that in Ecuador out about 50miles into the sea and think finally that both locations are good.

I thank you all, for your suggestions....!!