Stainless Steel Defined
304 vs. 316 STAINLESS STEEL
The most common stainless steel alloys are 304 and 316/316L. 304 stainless steel is easy to form, weld, stamp, machine, and fabricate. It holds a high resistance to temperature and corrosion. This material also scores high on the strength index. Stainless steel is very easy to clean and is ideal for industries that demand high sanitation and frequent washing. 316 holds the same resistance, toughness, and strength properties as 304. The difference between 304 and 316 stainless steel is their elements. 304 is 18% chromium and 8% nickel. 316 is 16% chromium, 10% nickel, and 2% molybdenum. 316 also offers more protection against pitting.
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GRADES OF STAINLESS STEEL
• 304/304L
• 316/316L
• 303
• 1045
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