Stainless steel and spring steel are two distinct types of steel with different properties and applications.

Stainless steel refers to a group of steel alloys that contain a minimum of 10.5% chromium by mass. The presence of chromium in stainless steel forms a protective layer of chromium oxide on the surface, providing excellent corrosion resistance. Stainless steel is widely used in various industries, including kitchenware, construction, and medical equipment, where corrosion resistance is a crucial requirement. However, not all stainless steels exhibit desirable spring properties.

Spring steel, on the other hand, is a category of steel specifically designed to exhibit excellent spring properties, such as elasticity, resilience, and the ability to return to its original shape after being deformed. Spring steel is typically characterized by its high carbon content or the addition of alloying elements that enhance its spring properties. High-carbon spring steels, such as 1070 or 1095, or certain alloy steels like 5160, are commonly used for spring applications.

While some stainless steels may have moderate spring properties due to their composition, they are generally not optimized specifically for spring applications. Stainless steels are chosen primarily for their corrosion resistance and may not possess the necessary mechanical properties required for efficient spring performance.

In summary, stainless steel is not typically considered spring steel. Spring steel refers to a specific category of steels that are designed and optimized for their spring properties, while stainless steel is chosen primarily for its corrosion resistance.