Stainless steel obtains its name from its ability to resist staining and corrosion to a far greater degree than does ordinary steel. These resistant properties come from the presence of chromium and chromium/nickel in the alloy, but primarily from the chromium. The oxides of these elements from an extremely thin protective film on the steel surface. This oxide film is transparent and adheres tightly to the surface. The film is very thin, on the order of one-millionth of an inch, and is absolutely invisible while in contact with the surface on which it is formed. This oxide film is inert, insoluble in water and many other chemical solutions, and impermeable to these. As long as this film remains intact and tightly adherent to the stainless steel surface, the main steel body protected from corrosive attack.

The oxide film is, to a large extent, self-repairing. Any break or rupture in the film will quickly reform if the clean, dry surface is exposed to oxygen of the atmosphere for a sufficient period of time. Under normal hotel and restaurant usage, the oxide layer is complete and furnishes protection to the stainless steel flatware.