What’s the Difference Between 304 and 316 Stainless Steel?

When you are planning toilet cubicle accessories, austenitic stainless steel is usually the best choice for corrosive environment. Austenitic steel has two groups, 200 series and 300 series. Possessing excellent corrosive resistant, 304 and 316 are two of the most common austenitic steel material among the two series. This blog will help you to clarify the differences between 304 and 316 grade.

Both 304 and 316 are stable under temperature of 1,000 centigrade. Austenitic steel ensures a versatile balance of strength, workablity, and corrosion resistance. You can find stainless steel products related to food, instrumentation and decoration industries. Stainless steel products has many features: it can be easily formed and fabricated into shapes such as toilet cubicle accessories, water tanks, cooking tables, etc.. It is available in a wide range of colors and finishes. It is easy to clean and could withstand many chemical agents to reach public health demands.

304 Stainless Steel

Type 304 steel is chromium-nickel alloys. As it contains 18 percentage to 20 percentage of chromium and 8 percentage to 11 percentage of nickel. For that, 304 steel has another name, 18/8 stainless steel. The high amount of nickel gives 304 steel the feature of corrosive resistance.

304 is also the most well-known and most widely used grade of austenitic  steel for its excellent performance in corrosive resistance and mechanical properties. Home equipment, vehicle hardware, medical appliance, building materials, you can find 304 applications in many industries.

316 Stainless Steel

Type 316 stainless steel is also chromium-nickel alloys. Similar to 304, chromium and nickel are also two of the most important ingredient to 316 steel. But 316 grade contains additional 2 percentage of molybdenum than 304 grade. The molybdenum gives 316 steel better performance in corrosive resistance especially when exposed to sea water and salty liquor. Type 316 is also durable, easy to clean, weld and finish even in high temperature. 316 grade will cost more than 304 grade as its ingredient is more complex during the process of manufacturing.

Which One should We Choose

304 stainless steel are capable in most situations. As it is cheaper than 316 grade, when you meet cost issues, 304 stainless steel is a better choice.

316 stainless steel should be a better choice when the environment contains high amount of corrosive elements. When you need higher strength and hardness, 316 is also a good choice.