Via a simple wet chemical etching followed by stearic acid modification, the presence of synergistic binary structures at micro-and nanometer scales and stearic acid bestows superhydrophobic property on steel and aluminum alloy surfaces. The as-prepared surfaces show superhydrophobic not only for pure water but also for corrosive liquids such as acid, basic and salt solutions. The stable superhydrophobicity of steel and aluminum alloy surfaces will extend their applications as engineering materials. (C) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.