While the two most popular grades of stainless steel might seem identical at a glance, they hold important differences that can lead to substantial savings over the life of your product depending on your intended uses.
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All stainless steels contain a mix of iron and chromium at various levels. But the exact mix&#;and other additions &#; are what create the differences between grades.
The most popular 304 grade stainless contains 18% chromium and 8% nickel &#; though other alloys exist within the same grade.
Stainless steels of the 316 grade include less chromium &#; often around 16% &#; but increase nickel levels and add molybdenum to the mix.
In most common alloys, you&#;ll find 10% nickel and 2 to 3% molybdenum. However, specialty alloys might have as much as 9% molybdenum.
Most stainless steel ordered around the world is Grade 304.
It offers the standard corrosion resistance, formability, strength, and easy maintenance for which stainless is known.
While 316 comes in second in terms of quantities sold, it offers vastly superior corrosion resistance to chlorides and acids.
This makes it popular for a wide range of environments&#;including:
These increased resistances also help to take the guesswork out of cleaning and allow you to clean your stainless more often using stronger cleansers and detergents with little worry of damage or altering the appearance of the stainless steel.
This makes 316 an ideal upgrade for environments with strict hygiene and cleanliness standards.
With the benefits offered by 316 stainless steel, you might wonder why 304 remains the most popular&#;
If you&#;re not sure which to choose, consider these common uses for the two grades:
In short, it&#;s mostly about cost and corrosion resistance requirements.
If you don&#;t need the added resistance of 316, standard 304 grades will offer similar performance and longevity at a lower price point.
However, in situations where the added resistance is needed, 316 often improves the functional lifespan of the steel products by years.
This can lead to drastic long-term savings despite the initial increase in investment.
Looking for more information on the various traits and performance considerations surrounding other stainless steel grades?
By matching the grade of stainless to your intended usage and environment, you can optimize both the financial and physical benefits of your stainless steel investment.
Are you interested in learning more about 304 Stainless Steel Cable Ties? Contact us today to secure an expert consultation!
If you&#;re not sure where to start or are looking for a trusted partner with a wide selection of stainless options, the experts at Unified Alloys have more than 40 years of experience supplying industries across North America. Call today for a consultation!
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.
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.
Kloeckner Metals is a full-line stainless steel supplier and service center. Download our stainless steel spec sheet and check what Kloeckner Metals routinely stocks.
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 and stainless steel plate . 316 steel&#;s resistance to chemicals and marine environments makes it a popular choice among manufacturers.
The five classes of stainless steel are organized based on their crystalline structure (how their atoms are arranged). Out of the five classes, 304 and 316 stainless steel are in the austenitic grade class. The structure of austenitic grade stainless steels makes them non-magnetic and prevents them from being hardenable by heat treatment.
The medical industry commonly uses 304 SS because it endures the powerful cleaning chemicals without corroding. As one of the few alloys that meets the Food and Drug Administration&#;s sanitary regulations for food preparation, the food industry often uses 304 SS.
316 contains many similar chemical and mechanical properties as 304 stainless steel. To the naked eye, the two metals look the same. However, the chemical composition of 316, which is made up of 16% chromium, 10% nickel, and 2% molybdenum, is the main difference between 304 and 316 stainless steel.
The addition of Molybdenum in 316 makes it much more corrosion resistant than similar alloys. Due to its superior resistance to corrosion, 316 is one of the staple metals for marine environments. 316 stainless steel is also utilized in hospitals because of its durability and cleanliness.
Fun fact: The Chicago Bean is made from 316 stainless steel!
Heat resistance is an important factor to consider when comparing the different grades of stainless steel. The melting range of 304 is around 50 to 100 degrees Fahrenheit higher than 316. Although the melting range of 304 is higher than 316, they both have good resistance to oxidization in intermittent service up to 870°C (&#;) and in continuous service at 925°C (&#;).
What makes 316 more expensive than 304 stainless steel? The increase of nickel content and the addition of molybdenum in 316 makes it more expensive than 304. On average, the price of 316 stainless steel 40% higher than the price of 304 SS.
When comparing 304 stainless steel vs 316, they both have pros and cons to consider when deciding which one to use for different applications. For instance, 316 stainless steel is more resistant than 304 to salt and other corrosives. So, if you are manufacturing a product that will often face exposure to chemicals or a marine environment, 316 is the better choice.
On the other hand, if you are manufacturing a product that does not need strong corrosion resistance, 304 is a practical and economical choice. For many applications, 304 and 316 are actually interchangeable.
Kloeckner Metals is a full-line stainless steel supplier and service center. Kloeckner Metals combines a national footprint with the latest fabrication and processing technologies and most innovative customer service solutions.
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