Stainless Steel – 304 VS 316
304 with its chromium-nickel content, is the most versatile and widely used of the austenitic stainless steels. 304 stainless steel alloys has 18% chromium, 8%nickel austenitic alloy.

316 is an austenitic chromium-nickel stainless steel and has typical characteristic of anti-chemical corrodents such as sea water, brine solutions, etc.

General Property – 304 VS 316
In general, 304 stainless steels can meet a wide variety of physical requirements, making them excellent materials for applications including auto parts, kitchen equipment, storage tanks, pressure vessels and piping.316 alloys is a molybdenum bearing stainless steel. It has greater resistance than the 304. Similarly, 316 is durable, easy-to-fabricate, clean, weld and finish.

Chemical Analysis – 304 VS 316
304
C =0 .08 / Mn = 2.00 / P = 0.045 / S =0 .030 / Si = 1.00 / Cr = 18.00 – 20.00 / Ni =8.00-12.00 / N = 0.10
316
C =0 .08 / Mn = 2.00 / P =0 .04 / S =0 .03 / Si = 1.00 / Cr = 16.00 – 18.00 / Ni =10.00 – 14.00 / Mo = 2.00 – 3.00

Resistance to Corrosion – 304 VS 316
The 18% chromium, 8% nickel, provides good resistance to moderately acidic or caustic solutions. 304 may be considered to perform similarly in most non-severe applications. However, the addition of 2% molybdenum makes 316 considerably more resistant to corrosion and oxidation than the 304 of alloys.

Mechanical Property – 304 VS 316
304
Yield Strength .2% offset = 30,000 / Ultimate Tensile Strength = 80,000 /Elongation = 50%.Hardness R = 90 max.

316
Yield Strength .2% offset = 30,000 / Ultimate Tensile Strength = 80,000 /Elongation = 50%.Hardness R = 90 max.