In the practical application of equipment pipelines, many products are made of stainless steel or involve stainless steel materials. Although they all belong to stainless steel, there are different types of stainless steel, such as 304 and 316 models. Different models have different physical properties
The difference between 316 stainless steel and 304 stainless steel
1. Chemical composition
304 stainless steel: contains 18% chromium and 8% nickel, as well as a small amount of carbon, manganese, and silicon.
316L stainless steel: contains 16% chromium, 10% nickel, and 2% molybdenum, as well as a small amount of carbon, manganese, and silicon.
2. Corrosion resistance
304 stainless steel: It has good corrosion resistance, especially for general atmospheric, water, and chemical media with good stability, but is prone to pitting and intergranular corrosion in media containing chloride ions.
316L stainless steel: It has better corrosion resistance than 304 stainless steel, especially for media containing chloride ions, acidic and alkaline environments, with good stability.
3. Strength and hardness
304 stainless steel: has good strength and hardness, but slightly lower than 316L stainless steel.
316L stainless steel: Compared to 304 stainless steel, it has higher strength and hardness.
4. Welding performance
304 stainless steel: It has good weldability and can be used for most welding methods, but it is prone to intergranular corrosion under high temperature conditions.
316L stainless steel: Compared to 304 stainless steel, it is difficult to weld, but it has good welding performance under high temperature conditions and is less prone to intergranular corrosion.
5. Price variance
Compared to carbon steel, stainless steel is more expensive, while in stainless steel, 316 stainless steel is more expensive, mainly due to higher production costs and longer service life, so the price will be more expensive.
6. Scope of use
Stainless steel 316 has a wider range of applications compared to stainless steel 304. For example, stainless steel 316 material can be used in the food industry, including medical equipment, and can play a significant role.
The application ranges of 304 stainless steel
Stainless steel 304, as a common type of steel, is widely used in many aspects due to its high temperature resistance and corrosion resistance. So in some damp places, choosing 304 stainless steel can ensure long-term rust resistance, as it can be used to make steel pipes with strong corrosion resistance. This is also the reason why many stainless steel 304 steel pipes are chosen for pipeline transportation.
Among our company’s products, the most common ones are stainless steel flanges, stainless steel pipe fittings, and stainless steel pipes.
Post time: Jun-06-2023
