General stainless steel is generally not resistant to chemical medium corrosion, while acid-resistant steel generally has corrosion resistance. The term "stainless steel" does not simply refer to a single type of stainless steel but indicates over a hundred industrial stainless steels. Each type of stainless steel developed performs well in its specific application field. The key to success is first to determine the purpose, and then to identify the correct steel type. Only six types of steel are typically related to construction and structural applications. They all contain 17-22% chromium, with better grades containing nickel. Adding molybdenum can further...EnhanceAtmospheric corrosiveness, particularly resistance to corrosion in chloride-containing atmospheres.
Stainless steel is a shorthand for stainless acid-resistant steel. Steels that resist corrosion from weak corrosive media such as air, steam, and water, or steels with inherent corrosion resistance, are known as stainless steel; while steels that resist corrosion from chemical media (acids, alkalis, salts, etc.) are called acid-resistant steel. Due to their differences in chemical composition, their corrosion resistance varies: common stainless steel is generally not resistant to chemical media corrosion, whereas acid-resistant steel generally possesses corrosion resistance.