In general, chromium is the element providing much of the corrosion resistant quality to stainless steel by combining with oxygen to form an invisible protective film on the surface called chrome-oxide. See special note below for Designer Series (powder coated) stainless steel products.
Other stainless alloys may further improve corrosion resistance with higher levels of chromium (to improve the stability of the chrome-oxide film), nickel (to improve the resistance of the film in some acid environments) or by the addition of molybdenum and chromium (to increase resistance to chloride penetration).
Type 316 stainless steel is referred to by S.R.SMITH as Marine Grade because it contains more nickel as well as 2-3% molybdenum to provide very high levels of protection in more harsh and high chloride environments such as coastal areas.
While the protective chrome-oxide film of the alloy can be disturbed, contaminated or destroyed, it is also very resilient, can generally be cleaned and in the presence of oxygen can often be regenerated or even restored.
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