In metallurgy, stainless steel, also known as inox steel or inox from French "inoxydable", is a steel alloy with a minimum of 10.5%[1] chromium content by mass. Stainless steel does not readily corrode, rust or stain with water as ordinary steel does. However, it is not fully stain-proof in low-oxygen, high-salinity, or poor air-circulation environments.[2] There are different grades and surface finishes of stainless steel to suit the environment the alloy must endure. Stainless steel is used where both the properties of steel and corrosion resistance are required. Stainless steel differs from carbon steel by the amount of chromium present. Unprotected carbon steel rusts readily when exposed to air and moisture. This iron oxide film (the rust) is active and accelerates corrosion by forming more iron oxide; and, because of the greater volume of the iron oxide, this tends to flake and fall away. Stainless steels contain sufficient chromium to form a passive film of chromium oxide, which prevents further surface corrosion by blocking oxygen diffusion to the steel surface and blocks corrosion from spreading into the metal's internal structure.Due to the similar size of the steel and oxide ions, they bond very strongly and remain attached to the surface. Applications The arch rises from the bottom left of the picture and is shown against a featureless clear sky The 630-foot-high (190 m), stainless-clad (type 304) Gateway Arch defines St. Louis's skyline The pinnacle of New York's Chrysler Building is clad with Nirosta stainless steel, a form of Type 302. A stylized figure of a male human with outstretched arms and head tilted slightly forward, wearing a winged and crested helmet, mounted on the facade of a building An art deco sculpture on the Niagara-Mohawk Power building in Syracuse, New York Stainless steel is used for jewelry and watches with 316L being the type commonly used for such applications. It can be re-finished by any jeweler and will not oxidize or turn black. Some firearms incorporate stainless steel components as an alternative to blued or parkerized steel. Some handgun models, such as the Smith & Wesson Model 60 and the Colt M1911 pistol, can be made entirely from stainless steel. This gives a high-luster finish similar in appearance to nickel plating. Unlike plating, the finish is not subject to flaking, peeling, wear-off from rubbing (as when repeatedly removed from a holster), or rust when scratched. Some automotive manufacturers use stainless steel as decorative highlights in their vehicles. Article From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stainless_steel#Applications