The Difference Between 304 And 316 Stainless Steel

When looking at 304 stainless steel vs 316, it is hard to notice the difference between them. However, when manufacturing with 304 vs 316 stainless steel, the difference can be huge. Keep reading to learn more about the two most popular types of stainless steel.

 

304 vs 316: What Makes Them So Popular?

The high levels of chromium and nickel found in 304 and 316 stainless steel provides them with a strong resistance to heat, abrasion, and corrosion. Not only are they known for their resistance to corrosion, they are also known for their clean appearance and overall cleanliness.

Both types of stainless steel appear in wide-ranging industries. As the most common grade of stainless steel, 304 is considered the standard "18/8" stainless. 304 stainless steel is widely used because it is durable and easy to form into various forms such as stainless steel sheet, stainless steel plate, stainless steel bar, and stainless steel tube. 316 steel’s resistance to chemicals and marine environments makes it a popular choice among manufacturers.

Both of these 300-grade steels are known for their excellent welding and forming properties, which give them applications across many industries. These alloys cannot be hardened by heat treatment, but they can develop high strength by cold working.

 

304 Stainless Steel

Grade 304 stainless steel is generally regarded as the most common austenitic stainless steel. It contains high nickel content that is typically between 8 and 10.5 percent by weight and a high amount of chromium at approximately 18 to 20 percent by weight. Other major alloying elements include manganese, silicon, and carbon. The remainder of the chemical composition is primarily iron.

The high amounts of chromium and nickel give 304 stainless steel excellent corrosion resistance. Common applications of 304 stainless steel include:

-Appliances such as refrigerators and dishwashers

-Commercial food processing equipment

-Fasteners

-Piping

-Heat exchangers

-Structures in environments that would corrode standard carbon steel.

 

316 Stainless Steel

Similar to 304, Grade 316 stainless steel has high amounts of chromium and nickel. 316 also contains silicon, manganese, and carbon, with the majority of the composition being iron. A major difference between 304 and 316 stainless steel is the chemical composition, with 316 containing a significant amount of molybdenum; typically 2 to 3 percent by weight vs only trace amounts found in 304. The higher molybdenum content results in grade 316 possessing increased corrosion resistance.

316 stainless steel is often considered one of the most suitable choices when selecting an austenitic stainless steel for marine applications. Other common applications of 316 stainless steel include:

-Chemical processing and storage equipment.

-Refinery equipment

-Medical devices

-Marine environments, especially those with chlorides present

 

 

Gnee is a stainless steel supplier with knowledge and experience that can help you maximize the value, reliability, and performance of your design with high-quality stainless steel tailored to your product. The right stainless steel can last for the life of your product giving customers the dependability and functionality they expect. Contact us today for all your tubing needs and to learn more about 304 vs 316 stainless steel!