[Bobcat]

On stainless steels , there are many different grades , all with different resistance to corrosion and hardness/strengths. As a general rule , the lower the number ( 316 SS for example , compared to 416 SS ) , the better the corrosion resistance , but 416 is a stronger steel . 17 -4 ph stainless is a strong stainless that approaches "regular " steel in strength , but is not as good as 316 on corrosion . We used the 17 - 4 ph on hydraulic cylinder rods in the offshore area as we need strength and some corrosion resistance .
One thing you have to be careful of is to not clean any stainless with a wire brush or anything like that as you will deposit the mild steel on the stainless , which will then rust .