304 VS 316 What’s The Difference?
Stainless steel grades 316 and 304 are both commonly used austenitic stainless steels, but they have distinct differences in terms of their chemical composition, properties, and applications.
304 VS 316 Chemical composition
| Grade | C | Si | Mn | P | S | N | NI | MO | Cr |
| 304 | 0.07 | 1.00 | 2.00 | 0.045 | 0.015 | 0.10 | 8.0-10.5 | - | 17.5-19.5 |
| 316 | 0.07 | 1.00 | 2.00 | 0.045 | 0.015 | 0.10 | 10.0-13 | 2.0-2.5 | 16.5-18.5 |
Corrosion Resistance
♦304 Stainless Steel:Good corrosion resistance in most environments, but less resistant to chloride environments (e.g., seawater).
♦316 Stainless Steel:Improved corrosion resistance, particularly in chloride-rich environments like seawater and coastal areas, due to the addition of molybdenum.
Applications for 304 VS 316 Stainless Steel
♦304 Stainless Steel:Widely used for various applications, including food and beverage processing, architectural components, kitchen equipment, and more.
♦316 Stainless Steel:Preferred for applications requiring enhanced corrosion resistance, such as marine environments, pharmaceuticals, chemical processing, and medical equipment.
