What is stainless steel?

There is not only one type of stainless steel. The term applies to a group of iron-based alloys containing at least 10.5% chromium, making stainless steel highly resistant to corrosion. This chromium forms a very thin layer on the surface of the steel to prevent rust and other types of corrosion.

Except for chromium, the carbon content in stainless steel shall not exceed 1.2%. Stainless steel alloys also contain other elements in varying amounts, such as manganese, molybdenum, nickel, niobium, nitrogen, silicon, etc. These and other materials contribute to the properties of a particular type of stainless steel.