304 Vs 316 Stainless Steel Corrosion Resistance

In general media that do not corrode 18 8 stainless steel tube will not attack these molybdenum containing grades.

304 vs 316 stainless steel corrosion resistance.

304 stainless is also cheaper in cost compared to 316 another reason for its popularity and widespread use. Because of that it is mostly used for making surgical instruments therefore its nickname surgical steel. After analyzing chemical composition makeup corrosion resistance cost and suitable applications the key difference between 304 and 316 stainless steel is that 316 grade has better corrosion resistance thanks to addition of molybdenum than 304 especially for chloride applications and last longer service life. Since type 316 stainless steel alloy contains molybdenum bearing it has a greater resistance to chemical attack than 304.

The carbon ranges are 0 08 maximum for 304 and 316 and 0 030 maximum for the 304l and 316l types. The percentage of nickel in 316 is more as compared to 304 stainless steel while the chromium percentage is more in 304 as compared to 316 stainless steel. 304 stainless steel is the most versatile and widely used austenitic stainless steel in the world due to its corrosion resistance. Comparision grade 304 304l 316 316l corrosion resistance as american aisi basic grades the only practical difference between 304 or 316 and 304l or 316l is carbon content.

Type 316 is durable easy to fabricate clean weld and finish. Stainless steel grade 316l type 316 stainless steel is the second common grade of steel. Both steels are durable and provide excellent resistance to corrosion and rust. It is considerably more resistant to solutions of sulfuric acid chlorides bromides iodides and fatty acids at high temperature.

So 316 stainless steel is widely used in those areas salt exposure is an issue. Each of these stainless steel grades will resists corrosion are quite durable and are easily formed and fabricated. Figures are shown in appendix b because the passive film is such an important factor there are precautions which must be observed in designing stainless steel equipment in manufactur ing the equipment and in operation. Both are non magnetic austenitic and non hardenable through heat treatment.

Stainless steel 316 is more expensive as compared to 304 due to high corrosive resistance against chlorides. This is due in part to the addition of molybdenum. When it comes to 316 stainless steel you can expect better corrosion and pitting resistance to chlorides than 304 stainless steel and higher levels of strength at elevated temperatures. Alloys 316 316l and 317l are more resistant to atmospheric and other mild types of corrosion than the 18 8 stainless steel.

Outwardly 304 stainless steel and 316 stainless steel look very similar.