SS 304 vs 316 stainless steel which is better ?

Grade 304 stainless steel

304 stainless steel is the world's most widely use stainless steel material grade. It is an austenitic stainless steel. And it contain 8% to 10.5% nickel, 18% to 20% chromium, and other elements. Such as carbon, manganese, and silicon. These elements endow SS 304 with a high level of heat and corrosion resistance, making it appropriate for many industrial and commercial settings.

Due to its characteristics, stainless steel 304 is the most orderly stainless steel grade. It is a crucial component in numerous industries. Due to its excellent corrosion resistance, it must have exceptional performance and aesthetics in many environmental issues that businesses may face. It is also the top choice for CNC machining and sheet metal fabrication due to its machinability and weldability. Since it is utilized to create components for skyscrapers and tall buildings, many people appreciate its visual appeal.

Grade 316 stainless steel

The austenitic 316 stainless steel has a maximum carbon content of 0.08%, a nickel content of 10%, a chromium content of 16%, and a molybdenum level of 2-3%. As an austenitic stainless steel, it offers excellent machinability, weldability, and tensile strength characteristics. Further preventing corrosion from fresh water and salt water, which are both noted for having high chloride contents, is the 2% molybdenum.

When 304 and 316 stainless steel are compared, the benefits of 316 stainless steel cause the grade to be a different grade. Due to its higher nickel and molybdenum contents compared to other grades, 316 stainless steel has a high level of corrosion resistance in acidic, alkaline, and chloride conditions.It is a best-in-class rapid prototyping material since it is also flexible, maneuverable, and weldable.Because of its hard surface, SS 316 is frequently used in the pharmaceutical industry to limit microbial adherence and survival.

Now let's take a look at the difference between 304 and 316, mainly the following points:

1.the difference in corrosion resistance

304 stainless steel can resist sulfuric acid, phosphoric acid, formic acid, urea and other corrosion, suitable for water, control gas, wine and other corrosive or do not contact the material occasions.On the basis of 304, molybdenum element is added to 316 steel, which can significantly improve its resistance to intercrystalline corrosion, oxide stress corrosion and reduce the thermal cracking tendency during welding, and it has good resistance to chloride corrosion.304 stainless steel lacks molybdenum element, so corrosion resistance, acid and alkali resistance, are not as good as 316.

2. Differences in application fields

304 and 316 are food grade stainless steel, but the application field of the two is different, 304 stainless steel price is relatively low, widely used in cookware, tableware, etc., a wide range of use, such as stainless steel countertops at home, frying pans, stainless steel tableware, 304 is enough.The price of 316 stainless steel is high, although some of it will be used in daily life, but most of it is still used in medical or heavy industry equipment, as well as industries that need high temperature resistance.

3.The difference in mechanical properties

The average nickel content of 316 stainless steel is higher than that of 304 stainless steel, and nickel can improve high temperature durability, improve mechanical properties, and improve oxidation resistance in metal materials.Therefore, the amount of nickel contained in the material directly affects the comprehensive properties of the material.

The mechanical properties of 304 stainless steel are plastic priority, bending resistance and stable functional performance are widely used.316 stainless steel in the strength Angle is much higher than 304, after good heating treatment, according to different industry fields, withstand the strength and oxidation.It should be noted that the production and processing method will indirectly affect the performance of the product.

4.The difference in price

304 stainless steel is relatively cheaper, usually the stainless steel products on the market are mainly made of 304 stainless steel;The composition of 316 stainless steel is complex, the price is relatively high, and the technical level required for production and processing is also higher, so whether it is raw materials or finished products, 316 is more expensive than 304, and some are even several times more expensive.

After understanding the difference between the two, how do you identify whether the stainless steel you buy is 304 or 316?

Some businesses use 304 instead of 316 to sell, but this can not be seen with the naked eye, you need to use professional stainless steel liquid to distinguish. After the liquid is dropped on the stainless steel, the surface of the 304 material is generally a little red, and the 316 material will be black. More professional detection methods also include spectral detection and salt spray detection, which can be appropriately selected according to individual conditions and use scenarios.

304 stainless steel and 316 stainless steel how to choose? Here to give some suggestions for reference only.

Although 304 and 316 have differences in composition, mechanical properties, corrosion resistance, etc., the willingness to choose to use should depend on the needs of the specific application field. From the perspective of practical cost performance, most enterprises and consumers will choose 304 stainless steel, which is more widely used in the market.

304 is a nationally recognized food grade stainless steel, corrosion resistance, high temperature resistance, full toughness, basically can meet our daily needs.But also be careful of illegal businesses to shoddy, selling inferior steel as 304 stainless steel products.Non-304 stainless steel not only has poor anti-rust ability, but also the product is in direct contact with the human body, which will have adverse effects on health, so we must choose businesses with quality assurance when purchasing.