Capacities for passivation and corrosion resistance of various industrial stainless steels were investigated in 20% sulfuric acid solutions, in the 30-103 degree C, using electrochemical techniques and weight loss tests. The austenitic-ferritic steels of nominal composition 25 Cr-5 Ni-2Mo-(3 Cu) exhibit the highest passivation tendency up to 70 degree C. Nevertheless, even in the absence of oxidizing elements, the corrosion rate could be higher. A statistical study of the influence of alloying elements Cr, Ni, Mo, Cu, pinpointed the highly beneficial effect of copper on the corrosion behavior of the studied stainless steels and nickel base alloys.