Corrosion-resistant alloys are used where corrosive conditions prohibit the use of carbon steels and protective coatings provide insufficient protection or are economically not feasible. Examples of these alloys include stainless steels, nickel-base alloys and titanium alloys. The total 1998 consumption cost of the corrosion-resistant metals and alloys is estimated at $7.7 billion.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau statistics, a total of 2.5 million tons of raw stainless steel was sold in the United States in 1997. With an estimated cost of $2.20 per kg ($1 per pound) for raw stainless steel, a total annual (1997) production cost of $5.5 billion was estimated. It is assumed that all production is for U.S. domestic consumption. The total consumption of stainless steel also includes imports, which account for over 25 percent of the U.S. market. Thus, the total consumption of stainless steel can be estimated at $7.3 billion.

Where environments become particularly severe, nickel-base and titanium alloys are used. Nickel-base alloys are used extensively in the oil production and refinery and chemical process industries, where conditions are aggressive. Further, there is an increased use of these alloys in other industries, where high temperature and/or severe corrosive conditions exist. With the average price for nickel base alloys at $13 per kg in 1998, the total sales value in the United States was estimated at $285 million.

The primary use of titanium alloys is in the aerospace and military industry, where the high strength-to-weight ratio and resistance to high temperature are properties of interest. However, titanium and its alloys are also corrosion resistant to many environments, and have therefore found application in oil production and refinery, chemical process, and pulp and paper industries. In 1998, it was estimated that 65 percent of the titanium mill products was used for aerospace and 35 percent for non-aerospace applications. The total annual consumption price for titanium and titanium alloys for corrosion control applications is estimated at $150 million.