Why 316 stainless steel is better than 304 stainless steel

Stainless steel is a common metal material. Because of its strong corrosion resistance, beautiful appearance, easy cleaning, stable structure, and other characteristics, it is widely used in construction, chemical industry, medical treatment, food processing, environmental protection, and other fields. Among stainless steel, 316 stainless steel and 304 stainless steel are relatively common materials. What is the difference between them? Why is 316 stainless steel better?

First of all, from the composition point of view, 316 stainless steel has 2% more molybdenum than 304 stainless steel, which makes 316 stainless steel have better corrosion resistance in seawater environment. In addition, 316 stainless steel also contains low carbon steel, which has better resistance to intergranular corrosion than 304 stainless steel. The addition of these ingredients makes 316 stainless steel more outstanding in terms of corrosion resistance.

Secondly, from the perspective of material properties, 316 stainless steel is more elastic, tougher, and processable than 304 stainless steel. Especially at high temperatures, 316 stainless steel has better strength and oxidation resistance than 304 stainless steel. In addition, the magnetic permeability of 316 stainless steel is also lower than that of 304 stainless steel, so it is more suitable for situations where low magnetism is required.

Thirdly, from the perspective of use scope, 316 stainless steel is more suitable for some high-end fields than 304 stainless steel. For example, in medical equipment and surgical tools, 316 stainless steel can avoid the harm of residues to the human body; in the field of marine engineering, 316 stainless steel can effectively resist the erosion of seawater; at the same time, 316 stainless steel is also widely used in chemical industry, pharmaceuticals, and food In processing and other fields, its stable material properties provide reliable guarantee for high-precision and high-efficiency production.

To sum up, although the price of 316 stainless steel is slightly higher than that of 304 stainless steel, it performs better in terms of corrosion resistance, material performance, and scope of use, especially in special environments, such as marine engineering, medical equipment, and other fields. 316 Stainless steel can better meet the needs.


Post time: Mar-14-2024