COMMON STAINLESS STEELS
The two most common stainless-steel grades are 304 and 316. The key difference is the addition of molybdenum, an alloy which drastically enhances corrosion resistance, especially for more saline or chloride-exposed environments.
316 stainless-steel contains molybdenum. 304 stainless-steel does not.
SS 304
304 can withstand corrosion from most oxidizing acids. That durability makes 304 easy to sanitize, and therefore ideal for kitchen and food applications. It is also common in buildings, décor, and site furnishings.
304 stainless-steel does have one weakness: it is susceptible to corrosion from chloride solutions, or from saline environments like the coast. Chloride ions can create localized areas of corrosion, called “pitting,” which can spread beneath protective chromium barriers to compromise internal structures.
COMMON USE
- Storage tanks
- Fasteners and finishing hardware (screws, nuts, bolts, plates, handles)
- Pots and pans
- Residential sinks and sink parts
- Indoor architectural/decorative hardware (panels, sculptures, sconces)
- Equipment tubing
- Residential appliances
SS 316
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. The key difference is that 316 stainless steel incorporates about 2 to 3 percent molybdenum. The addition increases corrosion resistance, particularly against chlorides and other industrial solvents.
316 stainless-steel is commonly used in many industrial applications involving processing chemicals, as well as high-saline environments such as coastal regions and outdoor areas where de-icing salts are common. Due to its non-reactive qualities, 316 stainless steel is also used in the manufacture of medical surgical instruments.
COMMON USE
- Industrial equipment as used in:
- Pharmaceutical manufacturing
- Chemical manufacturing
- Industrial and chemical transportation
- Pressure vessels
- Cisterns and pipes for chemical applications
- Medical equipment where non-surgical steel
- Marine equipment
- Outdoor site furnishings
- Commercial kitchens
- Food production and processing in saline environments
- Commercial appliances