Surgical instruments such as scalpels, scissors, blades, retractors, forceps, pins, and probes must meet different requirements depending on whether the field of application is general surgery, dentistry, or orthopedics. Austenitic and duplex stainless types provide maximum corrosion resistance in contact with biological fluids and in instrument sterilization operations (in autoclaves or with chloride-containing disinfectants). Martensitic steel types, by virtue of the heat treatment to which they are subjected and their carbon content, combines good corrosion resistance with high cutting edges and wear and mechanical resistance required for dental applications, for example.