inossidabile

Inossidabile is an Italian adjective meaning resistant to oxidation, or not easily oxidized. In scientific and industrial contexts it is used to describe materials that do not readily form oxides when exposed to air, moisture, or chemical environments. The term is most commonly associated with stainless steel, known in Italian as acciaio inossidabile, a family of iron-based alloys that contain chromium and often nickel and molybdenum. These alloys develop a thin, passive chromium oxide layer on the surface that protects the underlying metal from further corrosion and can repair itself if damaged, a property called passivation.

The chromium content in stainless steels is typically at least about 10.5 percent by mass, though corrosion resistance depends on the specific alloying elements and the surrounding environment. Common grades include 304 and 316, the latter offering enhanced resistance to chlorides due to added molybdenum. Beyond stainless steels, the term inossidabile can also describe other materials with high oxidation resistance, such as certain noble metals (for example gold and platinum) and various ceramics or alloys engineered for high-temperature or corrosive settings.

In everyday usage, inossidabile is sometimes employed in marketing or descriptions of jewelry, cutlery, and other objects to denote durability and resistance to tarnish or rust. The concept also appears in a metaphorical sense to characterize people or things regarded as steadfast or enduring.

Overall, inossidabile denotes a quality of resisting oxidation, with stainless steel being the archetype most closely associated with the term.