254 SMO® stainless steel bar was originally developed for use in seawater and other aggressive chloride-bearing environments. This grade is considered a very high-end austenitic stainless steel; mainly comprised of chromium, nickel, molybdenum and nitrogen. These materials allow 254 SMO® to combine impact toughness resistance to corrosion cracking, with pitting and crevice corrosion resistance. The result is strength of nearly twice that of 300 series stainless steels.