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一、What is 304 Stainless Steel?
304 stainless steel is a common austenitic stainless steel containing approximately 18% chromium and 8% nickel (also known as “18-8” stainless steel). It offers excellent corrosion resistance, good formability, and weldability, making it widely used in food equipment, kitchenware, architectural decoration, chemical containers, and general industrial components. It performs stably in conventional atmospheric environments and weak corrosive media, ranking among the most widely used stainless steel grades.
二、What is 316 Stainless Steel?
316 stainless steel incorporates an additional 2-3% molybdenum compared to 304. This critical difference significantly enhances its resistance to pitting and crevice corrosion in chloride environments. This makes 316 an ideal choice for marine environments, chemical processing, and high-temperature applications.
三、What are the differences between 304 stainless steel and 316 stainless steel?
Composition Differences
The root of their differences lies in chemical composition. 304 stainless steel primarily contains 18% chromium and 8% nickel, forming a fundamental chromium oxide protective layer that resists corrosion in atmospheric and weakly acidic environments. In contrast, 316 stainless steel adds 2%-3% molybdenum to the 304 base composition and increases nickel content to 10%-14%. This composition adjustment grants 316 exceptional resistance to pitting corrosion in chloride-containing environments. In a 3.5% sodium chloride solution, 316 exhibits a corrosion rate of only 0.001 mm/year, significantly lower than 304's rate of 0.01 mm/year.
Processing Performance
CNC Milling: 304 stainless steel offers superior machinability, making it suitable for applications prioritizing efficiency and tool life. 316 stainless steel is slightly more challenging to machine but offers greater reliability in extreme corrosion scenarios.
Laser Cutting: Both achieve high-quality cut edges, though 316 requires slight laser parameter adjustments due to its molybdenum content.
Metal Forming : 304's lower yield strength facilitates easier forming; however, 316's corrosion resistance becomes more critical for corrosive environments.
Welding and Fabrication: Both exhibit excellent weldability, but 316 maintains superior corrosion resistance in the post-weld heat-affected zone, making it suitable for marine or chemical environments.
CNC Turning: 304 offers more consistent turning performance and surface finish; for casting molds or aluminum die-casting applications, material selection should be based on specific part requirements.
四、How to Choose in Appropriate Scenarios?
Select 304 Stainless Steel When:
Budget is limited and the corrosion environment is mild
Optimal formability and machinability are required
Used in indoor environments or dry climates
Food processing equipment, kitchenware, and architectural decoration
Select 316 Stainless Steel When:
Exposed to marine environments or deicing salts
Chemical processing, pharmaceutical, or medical equipment applications
High-temperature applications or where higher strength is needed
Long-term outdoor use with difficult maintenance access
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