The two steel grades are comparable in appearance chemical makeup and characteristics. The simple answer is 304 contains 18 chromium and 8 nickel while 316 contains 16 chromium 10 nickel and 2 molybdenum.
Stainless 304 usually consists of 18 chromium and 8 nickel.
Stainless steel type 304 vs 316. Stainless 316 contains more nickel than stainless 304 while 304 contains more chromium than 316. Stainless 304 usually consists of 18 chromium and 8 nickel. Stainless 316 is made up of 16 chromium 10 nickel and 2 molybdenum.
The two steel grades are comparable in appearance chemical makeup and characteristics. What s the difference between 304 and 316 stainless steel. The simple answer is 304 contains 18 chromium and 8 nickel while 316 contains 16 chromium 10 nickel and 2 molybdenum.
When it comes to 316 stainless steel you can expect better corrosion and pitting resistance to chlorides than 304 stainless steel and higher levels of strength at elevated temperatures. This is due in part to the addition of molybdenum. Of the wide range of stainless steels on the market both type 304 and type 316 stainless steel have strength workability and are corrosion resistance the key difference is that 316 stainless steel incorporates about 2 to 3 percent molybdenum.
316 stainless steel is better at resisting corrosion where salt is present near the ocean or winter de icing chemicals. 316 grade is the second most common form of stainless steel. It has almost the same physical and mechanical properties as 304 stainless steel and contains a similar material make up.