| SS 304 (18-8 Stainless Steel) | SS 316 (18-10 Stainless Steel) | |
| Corrosion Resistance | Good | Excellent |
| Pitting Resistance | Moderate | High |
| Crevice Corrosion Resistance | Moderate | High |
| Stress Corrosion Cracking Resistance | Moderate | High |
| Heat Resistance | Up to 870°C | Up to 870°C |
| Cost | Less expensive | More expensive |
See The Difference Between 18-8 and 18-10 Stainless Steel.
| Property | 18/8 Stainless Steel | 18/10 Stainless Steel |
| Nickel Content | 8-10.5% | 10-14% |
| Chromium Content | 18-20% | 16-18% |
| Tensile Strength | 515 MPa | 515 to 730 MPa |
| Yield Strength | 205 Mpa | 200 to 215 Mpa |
| Elongation | Around 40% | Around 45% |
| Temperature | up to 925°C (1700°F) | up to 870°C (1600°F) |
Find Material-wise Differences Between 304 and 316 Stainless Steel
Material Difference Between Stainless Steel Types 304 and 316
| Stainless Steel 304 | Stainless Steel 316 | |
| Material | Austenitic Stainless Steel | Austenitic Stainless Steel |
| Chromium Content | 18% | 16-18% |
| Nickel Content | 8% | 10-14% |
| Carbon Content | Up to 0.08% | Up to 0.08% |
| Molybdenum Content | Not present | 2-3% |
View the application-specific differences between stainless steel 304 and 316.
Application-Specific Difference Between 304 and 316
| SS 304 | SS 316 | |
| Applications | Storage tanksDecorative trimAppliancesKitchen equipmentWheel coversWater pipingAutomotive trimIndoor electrical enclosures | Pharmaceutical equipmentCommercial kitchen surfaces, equipment, and appliancesStructural steel and components in marine environmentsChemical equipmentMedical equipmentStainless steel floatsChemical piping |
| Uses | General-purpose use in less corrosive environments | Ideal for use in highly corrosive environments, such as marine and chemical industries |
Find Strength-Wise Differences Between SS 304 and SS 316.
SS 304 Vs 316 Strength
| 304 Stainless Steel | 316 Stainless Steel | |
| Tensile Strength | 500-700 Mpa | 400-620 Mpa |
| Hardness (Brinell) | 215 Max HB | 149 max HB |
| Elongation A50 mm | 45 Min % | 45% min |
| Melting Point | 1450℃ | 1400℃ |
| Density | 8.00 g/cm^3 | 8.00 g/cm^3 |
| Thermal Expansion | 17.2 x10^-6/K | 15.9 x 10^-6 |
| Modulus of Elasticity | 193 GPa | 193 GPa |
| Thermal Conductivity | 16.2 W/m.K | 16.3 W/m.K |
Check the Pros and Cons of 304 and 316 Stainless Steel.
Pros and Cons of 304 Stainless Steel.
SS 304/18-8 stainless steel/A2 Stainless
Because the chemical composition of 18-8 and 304 stainless steel is the same, they are often referred to as the same material. The 18-8 represents the chemical composition, which is 18% chromium and 8% nickel, giving it outstanding corrosion resistance. There are two more grades of 304: 304L, which is low carbon, and 304H, which is high carbon, in addition to 304, which is a general grade. SS 304 is also known as A2 stainless.
Pros
• High corrosion resistance
• Less heat sensitive than 302
• Stronger than mild steels
Cons
• Vulnerable to saltwater corrosion.
• Requires proper tools to machine well
304/18-8 SS should be used when the low cost is more important than corrosion resistance and not working in a marine environment and product is not exposed in a corrosive environment.
Application of 304(18-8 Stainless steel)
• Appliances such as refrigerators & dishwashers
• Commercial food processing equipment
• Heat exchangers
• Structures in atmospheres that would corrode standard carbon steel.
316 Stainless Steel Pros And Cons
SS 316/18-10 stainless steel/A4 Stainless
SS 316 includes 16% chromium, 10% nickel, and other constituents, hence it is also known as 18-10 stainless steel. Other grades of SS 316 are 316L (low carbon), 316F (free machining), and 316N (high nitrogen). It is suitable for marine and high-salinity environments. It is also known as A4 stainless.
Pros
• Stronger than 304 stainless
• Extremely corrosion resistant
• performs well against pitting
• Resistant to salt water
• Resistant to caustic chemicals
Cons
• Requires the precise tools to machine well
• More expensive than 304
SS 316 is used when corrosion resistance is more significant than cost and if we are working in a marine environment and with corrosive chemicals.
Application of 316(18-10 Stainless steel)
• Chemical processing and storage equipment.
• Refinery equipment
• Medical devices
• Marine environments, especially those with chlorides present
Summary
So, depending on the working environment and the product budget, the best grade should be selected to construct a project so that it may endure for a longer period in a working environment since in some circumstances, SS 304 and SS 316 function better.
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