Stainless steel is an iron-containing alloy has excellent resistance to stain or rust making it the metal of choice for use in the manufacture of food handling, processing, storing, cooking, and serving equipment. Advantages include easy cleaning, good corrosion resistance, durability, economy, food flavor protection, and sanitary design. Milk, wine, beer, soft drinks and fruit juice are processed in stainless steel equipment.

Stainless steel is also widely used in bulk materials handling equipment, building exteriors roofing, automobile components (exhaust, trim/decorative, engine, chassis, fasteners, tubing for fuel lines), chemical processing plants (scrubbers and heat exchangers), pulp and paper manufacturing, petroleum refining, water supply piping, consumer products, marine and shipbuilding, pollution control, sporting goods (snow skis), and transportation (rail cars), etc.

Stainless steels can contain anywhere from 4-30 percent chromium, however most contain around 10 percent.