What is the difference between stainless steel 304 and 316 ?

Stainless steel 304 and 316 are both popular grades of stainless steel with distinct differences. Stainless steel 304 contains 18% chromium and 8% nickel, while stainless steel 316 contains 16% chromium, 10% nickel, and 2% molybdenum. The addition of molybdenum in stainless steel 316 provides better resistance to corrosion, especially in chloride environments like coastal and industrial areas.

Stainless steel 316 is often chosen for applications where high corrosion resistance is required, such as marine environments, chemical processing, and medical equipment. On the other hand, stainless steel 304 is commonly used in kitchen equipment, food processing, and architectural applications where corrosion resistance is important but not as critical as in 316.

In summary, the main difference lies in their chemical composition, which gives stainless steel 316 superior corrosion resistance in certain environments compared to stainless steel 304.


Post time: Mar-01-2024