304 vs 316 Stainless Steel: What is the Difference?

As part of the five families of stainless steel, 304 stainless steel and 316 stainless steel are austenitic  grades that contain high levels of chromium and nickel. This has the following impact:

• Chromium – Increases tensile strength, hardness, hardenability, toughness resistance to wear and abrasion, resistance to corrosion and scaling at elevated temperatures. 

• Nickel - Increases strength and hardness without sacrificing ductility and toughness. 

But the addition of alloy elements like molybdenum can make subtle, but important, differences:

• Molybdenum - Increases strength, hardness, hardenability, and toughness as well as creep resistance, and strength at elevated temperatures.

Is 316 more expensive than 304?

Generally, 316 stainless steel is higher in price versus 304 stainless steel. This is due to the higher levels of nickel content contained within 316, as well as the presence of molybdenum.

This is a prime example of how the price of stainless steel grades can fluctuate based on the ebb and flow of the raw material cost. To help offset these fluctuations, surcharges are added to the base price, typically per pound and varied by the mill.

Check out the table below for a daily update on the price of these commodities, as well as those impacting other metals. Ryerson updates this table daily.

What is 304 Stainless Steel and Where Is It Used?

As the most widely used of all stainless steel, 304 stainless steel is most notably present in industrial applications and kitchen equipment. It is a highly heat-resistant grade, and offers good corrosion resistance to many chemical corrodents, as well as industrial atmospheres. With good formability, 304 stainless steel can be readily welded by all common methods. 

304L stainless steel is an extra low carbon variation that avoids harmful carbide precipitation due to welding. This variation offers the same corrosion resistance as 304 stainless steel, but with slightly lower mechanical properties.

What is 316 Stainless Steel and Where Is It Used?

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. This is what makes it an ideal grade for such applications as pumps, valves, textile and chemical equipment, pulp & paper and marine applications. 
316L stainless steel is the extra low carbon version of 316 stainless steel that helps avoid carbide precipitation due to welding.

The Difference Between 304 and 316 Stainless Steel

When it comes to 304 stainless steel vs. 316 stainless steel, while both are good for corrosion resistance, strength, welding, and heat resistance, 316 stainless steel gets the slight edge in all these categories due to variation in alloying elements. 

Let's look at the metal characteristics tale of the tape:

 

Ryerson: The Metal Supplier of Choice

Ryerson is a leading North American metal supplier that provides more than just metal. We respond to the ever-changing needs of manufacturing today.

With a vast inventory of steel, stainless, aluminum, alloy, and more, we are committed to providing our customers with the metal and services they need to succeed. We stock a range of shapes and sizes, or we can provide processing and fabrication for every product we sell.

Order online at Ryerson.com for comprehensive pricing and fast delivery, or contact us today to learn more about how we can meet your metal needs.

 

 

 

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When looking at 304 stainless steel vs 316, it is hard to notice the difference between them. However, when manufacturing with 304 vs 316 stainless steel, the difference can be huge. Keep reading to learn more about the two most popular types of stainless steel.

304 vs 316: What Makes Them So Popular?

The high levels of chromium and nickel found in 304 and 316 stainless steel provides them with a strong resistance to heat, abrasion, and corrosion. Not only are they known for their resistance to corrosion, they are also known for their clean appearance and overall cleanliness.

Download Our Stainless Steel Spec Sheet Now

Kloeckner Metals is a full-line stainless steel supplier and service center. Download our stainless steel spec sheet and check what Kloeckner Metals routinely stocks.

Both types of stainless steel appear in stainless steel plate,

How Are They Categorized?

Both types of stainless steel appear in wide-ranging industries . As the most common grade of stainless steel, 304 is considered the standard “18/8” stainless. 304 stainless steel is widely used because it is durable and easy to form into various forms such as stainless steel sheet stainless steel bar , and stainless steel tube . 316 steel’s resistance to chemicals and marine environments makes it a popular choice among manufacturers.

The five classes of stainless steel are organized based on their crystalline structure (how their atoms are arranged). Out of the five classes, 304 and 316 stainless steel are in the austenitic grade class. The structure of austenitic grade stainless steels makes them non-magnetic and prevents them from being hardenable by heat treatment.

Properties of 304 Stainless Steel

Chemical Composition

Grade Carbon Manganese Silicon Phosphorus Sulfur Chromium Nickel Nitrogen 304 0.08 2 0.75 0.045 0.03 18.0/20.0 8.0/10.6 0.1

What are the Physical Properties of 304 SS?

Physical Property  Value Melting Point 1450℃ Density 8.00 g/cm^3 Thermal Expansion 17.2 x10^-6/K Modulus of Elasticity 193 GPa Thermal Conductivity 16.2 W/m.K

Mechanical Properties of 304 Stainless Steel

Tensile Strength 500-700 Mpa Elongation A50 mm 45 Min % Hardness (Brinell) 215 Max HB

304 Stainless Steel Applications

The medical industry commonly uses 304 SS because it endures the powerful cleaning chemicals without corroding. As one of the few alloys that meets the Food and Drug Administration’s sanitary regulations for food preparation, the food industry often uses 304 SS.

Common Applications

• Food preparation: Fryers, food prep tables
• Kitchen equipment: cookware, silverware
• Architectural: siding, elevators, bathroom stalls
• Medical: trays, surgical tools

Properties of 316 Stainless Steel

Chemical Composition

316 contains many similar chemical and mechanical properties as 304 stainless steel. To the naked eye, the two metals look the same. However, the chemical composition of 316, which is made up of 16% chromium, 10% nickel, and 2% molybdenum, is the main difference between 304 and 316 stainless steel.

Physical Properties of 316 SS

Melting point 1400℃ Density 8.00 g/cm^3 Modulus of Elasticity 193 GPa Thermal Expansion 15.9 x 10^-6 Thermal Conductivity 16.3 W/m.K

Mechanical Properties 

Tensile Strength 400-620 Mpa Elongation A50 mm 45% min Hardness (Brinell) 149 max HB

Applications of 316 Stainless Steel

The addition of Molybdenum in 316 makes it much more corrosion resistant than similar alloys. Due to its superior resistance to corrosion, 316 is one of the staple metals for marine environments. 316 stainless steel is also utilized in hospitals because of its durability and cleanliness.

Fun fact: The Chicago Bean is made from 316 stainless steel!

Common Applications:

• Water-handling: boilers, water heaters
• Marine parts- boat rails, wire rope, boat ladders
• Medical Equipment
• Chemical processing equipment

304 vs 316 Stainless Steel: Heat Resistance

Heat resistance is an important factor to consider when comparing the different grades of stainless steel. The melting range of 304 is around 50 to 100 degrees Fahrenheit higher than 316. Although the melting range of 304 is higher than 316, they both have good resistance to oxidization in intermittent service up to 870°C (1500℉) and in continuous service at 925°C  (1697℉).

• 304 SS: Handles high heat well, but continuous use at 425-860 °C  (797-1580 °F) may cause corrosion.
• 316 SS: Performs best in temperatures above 843 ℃ (1550 ℉) and below 454 ℃ (850°F)

Price Difference of 304 Stainless Steel vs 316

What makes 316 more expensive than 304 stainless steel? The increase of nickel content and the addition of molybdenum in 316 makes it more expensive than 304. On average, the price of 316 stainless steel 40% higher than the price of 304 SS.

316 vs 304 Stainless Steel: Which is Better?

When comparing 304 stainless steel vs 316, they both have pros and cons to consider when deciding which one to use for different applications. For instance, 316 stainless steel is more resistant than 304 to salt and other corrosives. So, if you are manufacturing a product that will often face exposure to chemicals or a marine environment, 316 is the better choice.

On the other hand, if you are manufacturing a product that does not need strong corrosion resistance, 304 is a practical and economical choice. For many applications, 304 and 316 are actually interchangeable.

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Kloeckner Metals is a full-line stainless steel supplier and service center. Kloeckner Metals combines a national footprint with the latest fabrication and processing technologies and most innovative customer service solutions.