In general the corrosion and oxidation resistance of stainless steels improves as the chromium content increases. The addition of nickel to create the austenitic stainless steel grades strengthens the oxide film and raises their performance in more aggressive conditions. The addition of molybdenum to either the ferritic or austenitic stainless steels improves their pitting corrosion resistance.

The austenitic stainless steels are resistant to the wide range of rural and industrial atmospheres encountered in the United Kingdom, resulting in extensive use in architectural, structural, and street furniture applications. Their resistance to attack by acids, alkalis and other chemicals, has led to a wide use in the chemical and process plant industries.

The ferritic stainless steels are used in the more mildly corrosive environments, being often used in trim work and somewhat less demanding applications.

Martensitic stainless steels have similar corrosion resistance to the ferritic types, whilst that of the precipitation hardening stainless steels is claimed to be similar to the 304 (1.4301) austenitic type stainless steel.

Duplex stainless steels are alloys designed to have improved localised corrosion resistance, specifically to stress corrosion cracking, crevice and pitting corrosion.

Corrosion attacks at the surface of a material. It is important therefore to ensure that the surface finish is suitable and that the surface is clean and uncontaminated (particularly from non-stainless steel contact). This enables the "inherent" corrosion resistance conferred by the additions of chromium, nickel, molybdenum etc. to be fully exploited.