Stainless steels are generally considered to be resistant to acids. However, this is closely related to the type of acid, its concentration, the type of steel and the ambient temperature. For example, although stainless steel types 904 are resistant to high concentrations of sulfuric acid at room temperature, 304 quality stainless steel can not withstand even low concentrations.

While 304L and 430 stainless steels are resistant to nitric acid, hydrochloric acid can damage all stainless steels.