Stainless steel is the name of a family of iron-based alloys known for their corrosion and heat resistance. One of the main characteristics of stainless steel is its minimum chromium content of 10.5%, which gives it its superior resistance to corrosion in comparison to other types of steels. Like other steels, stainless steel is composed primarily from iron and carbon, but with the addition of several other alloying elements, the most prominent being chromium. Other common alloys found in stainless steel are nickel, magnesium, molybdenum, and nitrogen.