Differences between 304 and 316 stainless steel

 　　Austenitic stainless steel is usually used when selecting stainless steel that must withstand corrosive environments. Austenitic stainless steel contains a large amount of nickel and chromium, which has excellent mechanical properties and corrosion resistance. In addition, many austenitic stainless steels are weldable and formable. The two more commonly used austenitic stainless steel grades are 304 and 316. To help you determine which brand is suitable for your project, this blog will study the differences between 304 and 316 stainless steel

　　304 stainless steel

　　Grade 304 stainless steel is usually considered the most common austenitic stainless steel. It contains high nickel content, usually between 8% and 10.5% by weight, while chromium content is high, about 18% to 20% by weight. Other major alloying elements include manganese, silicon, and carbon. The rest of the chemical composition is mainly iron.

　　The large amount of chromium and nickel gives 304 stainless steel excellent corrosion resistance. Common applications of 304 stainless steel include:

　　Appliances such as refrigerators and dishwashers

　　Commercial food processing equipment

　　a fastening

　　The Conduit

　　heat exchanger

　　The structure of standard carbon steel will corrode in the environment.

　　316 stainless steel

　　Similar to 304, grade 316 stainless steel contains a large amount of chromium and nickel. 316 also contains silicon, manganese, and carbon, most of which are iron. The main difference between 304 and 316 stainless steel is their chemical composition, with 316 containing a large amount of molybdenum; Usually 2% to 3% by weight, while only trace amounts were found in 304. The higher molybdenum content leads to higher corrosion resistance in the 316 grade.

　　316 stainless steel is usually considered one of the most suitable choices for choosing austenitic stainless steel for ship applications. Other common applications of 316 stainless steel include:

　　Chemical processing and storage equipment.

　　Refining equipment

　　medical apparatus and instruments

　　Marine environment, especially in the presence of chlorides

　　Which one should you use: 304 grade or 316 grade?

　　The following are some situations where 304 stainless steel may be a better choice:

　　This application requires excellent formability. The higher molybdenum content in 316 grade will have a negative impact on formability.

　　There is a cost issue with the application. Grade 304 is usually more affordable than Grade 316.

　　The following are some situations where 316 stainless steel may be a better choice:

　　The environment contains a large amount of corrosive elements.

　　The material will be placed underwater or continuously exposed to water.

　　In applications that require higher strength and hardness.