Almost all Metals oxidize, it doesn't matter if it is Iron, Chrome or Silver. What appears as red flakes on high iron content metals is not really much different that the white powder you see on chrome content metals. It is all oxidation. Even Aluminum oxidizes.
As long as we have a oxygen rich atmosphere and bare metals, we will have oxidation.
The problem with SS barrels shattering may still have something to do with a problem that came to the surface a short time ago when it was discovered that the wrong oil was being used when the forging process was being done to the SS blanks. At the time, high Sulpher content oil was the culprit and was the cause of microscopic cracks in the SS which led to disaster during use.
All of those barrels were supposed to have been recalled. Barrels with microscopic flaws may blow up at not only colder temps but moderate temps.
