What's the difference between 304 and 316 stainless steel?

The simple answer is 304 contains 18% chromium and 8% nickel while 316 contains 16% chromium, 10% nickel and 2% molybdenum. The molybdenum is added to help resist corrosion to chlorides (like sea water and de-icing salts). I found the brochure Stainless Steel for Coastal and Salt Corrosion Applications to be very helpful as a general reference for using stainless steel in our area.

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Click here to view our 304 vs 316 stainless steel infographic!

The last thing you need is your outdoor electrical enclosure rusting out on you.

          Not only is there the danger of exposing all your critical electrical components inside, it could cost you a lot to replace when it shorts out. We&#;re talking parts damage and replacement, repair costs including labor and downtime. I&#;ve seen some real horror shows when enclosures rust out. It&#;s not pretty. The good news is we have a simple cost effective solution. We found that by using 316 stainless steel instead of 304 stainless steel on an outdoor enclosure that will be exposed to the elements (like on an oil rig, for example) not only increases the life span of the enclosure but it is much safer to be around.

How do you know you&#;re getting 316 stainless steel instead of 304 stainless steel?

You can&#;t tell just by looking at it. There&#;s no visible difference between two identical pieces of sheet metal, a polished or grained the exact same way. That&#;s why you need a material test report (MTR) of the actual material to validate it as being 304 or 316. We make sure we get one with every shipment we receive at Nema Enclosures so that we can assure our customers that the enclosure and its parts are constructed of the exact stainless steel material, as specified and ordered. Some small parts such as clamps and mounting feet, constructed of 316 stainless steel are specifically marked, in this case a number 6 within a circle, as shown in the photo above.

What is Type 304 stainless steel and what&#;s it used for?

Type 304, with its chromium-nickel content and low carbon, is the most versatile and widely used of the austenitic stainless steels. Its alloys are all modifications of the 18% chromium, 8% nickel austenitic alloy. Type 304 proves to be resistant to oxidation, corrosion, and durability. All provide ease of fabrication and cleaning, prevention of product contamination offer a variety of finishes and appearances. Type 304 stainless steels are used in corrosion resistant electrical enclosures, auto molding and trim, wheel covers, kitchen equipment, hose clamps, exhaust manifolds, stainless hardware, storage tanks, pressure vessels and piping.

What is Type 316 stainless steel and what&#;s it used for?

Type 316 stainless steel is an austenitic chromium-nickel stainless and heat-resisting steel with superior corrosion resistance as compared to other chromium-nickel steels when exposed to many types of chemical corrodents such as sea water, brine solutions, and the like. Since Type 316 stainless steel alloy contains molybdenum bearing it has a greater resistance to chemical attack than 304. Type 316 is durable, easy-to-fabricate, clean, weld and finish. It is considerably more resistant to solutions of sulfuric acid, chlorides, bromides, iodides and fatty acids at high temperature. Stainless steels containing molybdenum are required in the manufacture of certain pharmaceuticals in order to avoid excessive metallic contamination. The bottom line is that Type 316 stainless steel costs a little more upfront but you could save a whole lot on the back end &#; especially if your enclosure is going to be used outdoors. Something worth keeping in mind when you&#;re designing your next enclosure. To place an order or if you have questions please contact us today at 713-921-.

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.

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.

Contact us to discuss your requirements of 304 316 Stainless Steel Precision Casting Machinery Part. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.

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.

The Benefits of 316 Stainless Steel

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.

So Which is Better&#; 316 or 304 Stainless Steel?

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:

304 Stainless Steel

• Water piping
• Storage tanks
• Indoor electrical enclosures
• Wheel covers
• Automotive trim
• Kitchen equipment
• Appliances
• Decorative trim

316 Stainless Steel

• Chemical piping
• Pharmaceutical equipment
• Medical equipment
• Chemical equipment
• Stainless steel floats
• Structural steel and components in marine environments
• Commercial kitchen surfaces, equipment, and appliances

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.

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!

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