When buying stainless steel products, the words stainless steel are often followed by 304 or 316 numbers. These two numbers refer to the model of stainless steel. However, it is difficult to tell the difference between 304 and 316 stainless steel. Today we will distinguish the two in detail from the perspectives of chemical composition, density, performance, and application fields. After reading it, I believe you will have a clear understanding of these two types of stainless steel.
First, the difference between 304 and 316 stainless steel pipes in chemical composition
304 stainless steel and 316 stainless steel are both austenitic stainless steel. The difference in chemical composition between the two is: that 316 stainless steel increases nickel (Ni) by reducing the chromium (Cr) content, and increases molybdenum (Mo) by 2%-3%. This structural organization greatly improves the corrosion resistance and wear resistance of stainless steel, so the performance of 316 stainless steel is better than 304 stainless steel.
1. 304 stainless steel: C≤0.08, Si≤0.75, Mn≤2.0, P≤0.04, S≤0.03, Ni: 8.0~11.0, Cr: 18.0~20.0
2. 316 stainless steel: C≤0.08, Si≤0.75, Mn≤2.0, P≤0.04, S≤0.03, Ni: 10.0~14.0, Cr: 16.0~18.0, Mo: 2.0~3.0
Second, the difference between stainless steel pipe 304 and 316 is density
The density of 304 stainless steel is 7.93g/cm³, and the density of 316 stainless steel is 7.98g/cm³. The density of 316 stainless steel is higher than that of 304 stainless steel.
Third, the difference between 304 and 316 stainless steel pipes and their performance
In addition to having better wear resistance and corrosion resistance than 304 stainless steel, 316 stainless steel also has better heat resistance, because the carbide formed by the molybdenum (Mo) element in 316 stainless steel is extremely stable, which can prevent grain growth when austenite is heated and reduce the overheating sensitivity of steel. To summarize the performance characteristics of the two, 304 stainless steel is acid-resistant, alkali-resistant, high density, polished without bubbles, high toughness, and good processing performance; 316 stainless steel, in addition to the performance characteristics of 304 stainless steel, is also resistant to special media corrosion, which can improve the corrosion resistance to chemical hydrochloric acid and the ocean, and improve the corrosion resistance to salt water halogen solution.
1. 304 stainless steel: It has good corrosion resistance to reducing salts and various inorganic and organic acids, alkalis, and salts. It has good corrosion resistance, heat resistance, low-temperature strength, and mechanical properties, good hot processing properties such as stamping and bending, no heat treatment hardening phenomenon, and no magnetism.
2. 316 stainless steel: It has excellent corrosion resistance and high-temperature strength and can be used under harsh conditions. It has good corrosion resistance, plasticity, toughness, high-temperature strength, cold deformation, and welding process performance.
Fourth, the difference between stainless steel pipe 304 and 316 in the application field
The application range of stainless steel 304 is very wide. The pots, pans, cups, tableware, and food equipment commonly used in the home all use 304 stainless steel, while 316 stainless steel is often used in food, machinery, petroleum, and other fields, and is more common in the manufacturing industry.
1. 304 stainless steel: used for drinking water purification, drinking water, cold water, hot water, gas, medical gas, household goods, cabinets, indoor pipelines, water heaters, boilers, bathtubs, auto parts, building materials, chemistry, food industry, agriculture, and ship parts.
2. 316 stainless steel: used for drinking water purification, drinking water, cold water, hot water, gas, medical gas, seawater equipment, chemistry, fuel, papermaking, oxalic acid, fertilizer equipment, food industry, and coastal facilities.
In daily use, which type of stainless steel should we choose? The cost of 304 stainless steel is lower than that of 316 stainless steel. When the corrosion resistance is not high, 304 stainless steel with higher cost performance can be selected. When the heat resistance and corrosion resistance are high, 316 stainless steel can be selected. In short, the two have their advantages and cannot be compared from a single perspective. The specific choice needs to analyze your usage scenario. There is no need to blindly pursue 316 stainless steel.
When buying stainless steel products, the words stainless steel are often followed by 304 or 316 numbers. These two numbers refer to the model of stainless steel. However, it is difficult to tell the difference between 304 and 316 stainless steel. Today we will distinguish the two in detail from the perspectives of chemical composition, density, performance, and application fields. After reading it, I believe you will have a clear understanding of these two types of stainless steel.
First, the difference between 304 and 316 stainless steel pipes in chemical composition
304 stainless steel and 316 stainless steel are both austenitic stainless steel. The difference in chemical composition between the two is: that 316 stainless steel increases nickel (Ni) by reducing the chromium (Cr) content, and increases molybdenum (Mo) by 2%-3%. This structural organization greatly improves the corrosion resistance and wear resistance of stainless steel, so the performance of 316 stainless steel is better than 304 stainless steel.
1. 304 stainless steel: C≤0.08, Si≤0.75, Mn≤2.0, P≤0.04, S≤0.03, Ni: 8.0~11.0, Cr: 18.0~20.0
2. 316 stainless steel: C≤0.08, Si≤0.75, Mn≤2.0, P≤0.04, S≤0.03, Ni: 10.0~14.0, Cr: 16.0~18.0, Mo: 2.0~3.0
Second, the difference between stainless steel pipe 304 and 316 is density
The density of 304 stainless steel is 7.93g/cm³, and the density of 316 stainless steel is 7.98g/cm³. The density of 316 stainless steel is higher than that of 304 stainless steel.
Third, the difference between 304 and 316 stainless steel pipes and their performance
In addition to having better wear resistance and corrosion resistance than 304 stainless steel, 316 stainless steel also has better heat resistance, because the carbide formed by the molybdenum (Mo) element in 316 stainless steel is extremely stable, which can prevent grain growth when austenite is heated and reduce the overheating sensitivity of steel. To summarize the performance characteristics of the two, 304 stainless steel is acid-resistant, alkali-resistant, high density, polished without bubbles, high toughness, and good processing performance; 316 stainless steel, in addition to the performance characteristics of 304 stainless steel, is also resistant to special media corrosion, which can improve the corrosion resistance to chemical hydrochloric acid and the ocean, and improve the corrosion resistance to salt water halogen solution.
1. 304 stainless steel: It has good corrosion resistance to reducing salts and various inorganic and organic acids, alkalis, and salts. It has good corrosion resistance, heat resistance, low-temperature strength, and mechanical properties, good hot processing properties such as stamping and bending, no heat treatment hardening phenomenon, and no magnetism.
2. 316 stainless steel: It has excellent corrosion resistance and high-temperature strength and can be used under harsh conditions. It has good corrosion resistance, plasticity, toughness, high-temperature strength, cold deformation, and welding process performance.
Fourth, the difference between stainless steel pipe 304 and 316 in the application field
The application range of stainless steel 304 is very wide. The pots, pans, cups, tableware, and food equipment commonly used in the home all use 304 stainless steel, while 316 stainless steel is often used in food, machinery, petroleum, and other fields, and is more common in the manufacturing industry.
1. 304 stainless steel: used for drinking water purification, drinking water, cold water, hot water, gas, medical gas, household goods, cabinets, indoor pipelines, water heaters, boilers, bathtubs, auto parts, building materials, chemistry, food industry, agriculture, and ship parts.
2. 316 stainless steel: used for drinking water purification, drinking water, cold water, hot water, gas, medical gas, seawater equipment, chemistry, fuel, papermaking, oxalic acid, fertilizer equipment, food industry, and coastal facilities.
In daily use, which type of stainless steel should we choose? The cost of 304 stainless steel is lower than that of 316 stainless steel. When the corrosion resistance is not high, 304 stainless steel with higher cost performance can be selected. When the heat resistance and corrosion resistance are high, 316 stainless steel can be selected. In short, the two have their advantages and cannot be compared from a single perspective. The specific choice needs to analyze your usage scenario. There is no need to blindly pursue 316 stainless steel.
Post time: Aug-23-2024