Differences between stainless steel 304 and stainless steel 316

Chemical composition

The main components of 304 stainless steel include 18% chromium and 8% nickel, so it is also called 18-8 stainless steel. 316 stainless steel reduces the chromium content on the basis of 304 and increases the content of nickel and molybdenum (generally 2-3%), which makes 316 stainless steel more corrosion-resistant, especially for chloride and acidic environments. ‌

Corrosion resistance

Due to the addition of molybdenum, 316 stainless steel has superior corrosion resistance, especially in seawater or other chloride environments. Molybdenum can combine with chloride ions to reduce the corrosion of chloride ions on stainless steel, so 316 stainless steel is a better choice in marine environments or high chloride environments. In contrast, 304 stainless steel performs well in general atmospheric environments or mildly corrosive environments, but its corrosion resistance is not as good as 316 stainless steel in environments with high chloride content.

Mechanical properties

In terms of mechanical properties, 316 stainless steel generally exhibits better ductility and toughness due to the addition of more nickel and molybdenum. This makes 316 stainless steel more suitable for certain applications that require high strength and high toughness. Although 304 stainless steel has slightly lower strength, its comprehensive mechanical properties are good and suitable for use under general working conditions. ‌

Application fields

Due to its stronger corrosion resistance and anti-pollution ability, 316 stainless steel is often used in marine engineering, chemical equipment, food processing equipment, medical equipment and other fields. 304 stainless steel is widely used in household kitchen supplies, architectural decoration, automobile manufacturing and other fields due to its good corrosion resistance and low cost.