Which is better 304 or 316 stainless steel

Often referred to as marine grade, is suitable for use in environments that are more aggressive than ambient although care should still be taken to clean the metal regularly to prolong its service life. See also: See also: The difference between stainless steel and Contact us to find out more. These applications include:. Generally, Stainless steel is used in applications that would corrode standard carbon steel. It is now commonly used in various applications which include:.

Stainless has better corrosion resistance than Stainless steel and often exhibits better strength at high temperatures. Because of its better corrosion resistance, the stainless grade costs more. For applications that expose an alloy to chlorinated solutions and chlorides, including seawater, using this higher grade is especially recommended. It can add years to the life of components or equipment exposed to harsh and corrosive conditions, particularly if it involves exposure to salts.

Yet for most applications, the grade will work perfectly well. In summation, when looking at vs. For other applications, stainless will work just fine. To sum it up, steel is worth the expense if you need superior corrosion resistance and your application contains water. If not, steel will serve your needs just fine. About Stainless Steel The most commonly used of the austenitic stainless steel, the grade is made up of Common applications for stainless steel include: Automotive moldings and trim Commercial equipment used for processing food Electrical enclosures Fasteners and finishing hardware like nuts, bolts, screws, plates and handles Harsh environments where carbon steel readily corrodes Heat exchangers Interior architecture and decorative hardware, such as panels and sculptures Piping Pots, pans and other kitchen utensils and implements Residential kitchen appliances Residential sinks and their components Storage tanks Tubing for equipment Wheel covers One notable difference between and stainless steel is their levels of nickel and chromium.

About Stainless Steel The grade is also mostly comprised of iron, and similarly contains high amounts of nickel and chromium — at percent and percent respectively — as well as smaller amounts of carbon, manganese, molybdenum and silicon. Common applications for stainless steel include: Cisterns and piping used in chemical applications Commercial kitchens and appliances Containers used to hold pressurized gasses or liquids Equipment for chemical storage and processing Equipment used for industrial and chemical transportation Marine components Marine settings Medical devices and equipment not requiring surgical steel Outdoor electrical enclosures Outdoor furnishing Pharmaceutical manufacturing Refinery infrastructure Seafood production and other food processing in saline environments Stainless steel floats The main difference between vs.

Call today for a consultation! For full functionality of this site it is necessary to enable JavaScript. Here are the instructions how to enable JavaScript in your web browser. This makes it popular for a wide range of environments—including: Medical equipment and implants Foodservice, processing, and preparation environments Coastal environments Areas with high salt levels such as roadways Brewing facilities Environments with increased exposure to alkalis and acids 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 an ideal upgrade for environments with strict hygiene and cleanliness standards.