In daily life, stainless steel, as an important metal material, is widely used in kitchenware, construction, medical equipment and other fields. Among them, 304 stainless steel and 316 stainless steel are even more eye-catching. How exactly do they differ? What are the scenarios for each? This article will take you to uncover the mystery of these two stainless steels.
What is 304 Stainless Steel?
304 stainless steel is a type of stainless steel, also known as austenitic stainless steel. This stainless steel has a chromium content of more than 18% and a nickel element of more than 8%. It has the characteristics of high temperature resistance of 800, good processing performance and high toughness, and is widely used in industry and furniture decoration industry and food and medical industry. It should be noted that compared with ordinary 304 stainless steel, food-grade 304 stainless steel has more stringent content indicators. In the market, the common labeling methods are 06Cr19Ni10, SUS304, etc., of which 06Cr19Ni10 generally represents the national standard production, 304 generally represents the ASTM standard production, and SUS304 represents the Japanese standard production.
The density of 304 stainless steel is 793 g cm, also known as 18 8 stainless steel in the industry. It is a general-purpose stainless steel material that is widely used in the manufacture of equipment and parts that require good overall properties (corrosion resistance and formability). To maintain the corrosion resistance inherent in stainless steel, steel must contain more than 18% chromium and more than 8% nickel. This is also one of the reasons why 304 stainless steel is widely used. In addition, 304 stainless steel also has good processing performance and toughness, which can meet the needs of various complex shapes and structures.
It should be noted that although 304 stainless steel is a high-quality stainless steel material, corrosion and deformation may still occur in some special environments, such as high temperature, high pressure, strong corrosion and other conditions. Therefore, when selecting and using 304 stainless steel, it is necessary to evaluate and select according to the specific use environment and requirements.
What is 316 Stainless Steel?
316 stainless steel is a high-alloy stainless steel material, which adds molybdenum, nickel, chromium and other elements on the basis of 304 stainless steel, so that it has better corrosion resistance and mechanical properties. Compared with 304 stainless steel, 316 stainless steel has a higher density, better high temperature resistance, and can maintain the stability and strength of the material in a high-temperature environment.
Because 316 stainless steel has excellent corrosion resistance, especially in seawater and acidic environments, it is widely used in marine engineering, chemical industry, medical treatment, food and other fields. For example, it can be used to manufacture marine equipment, chemical pipelines, medical equipment, high-end tableware, etc.
In addition, 316 stainless steel also has good processing performance and welding performance, which can meet the production needs of various complex shapes and structures. Although the ** of 316 stainless steel is relatively high, it is still widely recognized and used due to its excellent performance and wide range of applications.
The Battle for Performance: Who Comes Better?
304 stainless steel is a general-purpose stainless steel material, the anti-rust performance is stronger than the 200 series stainless steel materials, and has excellent high temperature resistance, the general use temperature limit is less than 650. Its performance is as follows:
Good corrosion resistance: The chromium content of 304 stainless steel reaches 18%-20%, which can form a dense chromium oxide film, so it has good oxidation resistance and corrosion resistance. It can withstand the corrosion of ordinary atmosphere, water vapor, fresh water, and a variety of corrosive media and organic solvents, and is widely used in petrochemical, light manufacturing, power industry, food manufacturing and other fields.
Good processing performance: 304 stainless steel has good plasticity and toughness, and can be formed by forging, rolling, drawing, bending and other processing methods. It can also be welded, with good welding performance, and can be welded by most standard methods such as arc welding, inert gas shielded welding, electron beam welding, laser welding, etc. Therefore, when it comes to manufacturing complex parts and equipment, 304 stainless steel has a wide range of applications.
Good heat resistance: 304 stainless steel can maintain good mechanical properties at high temperatures, so it has good heat resistance. Its mechanical properties such as tensile strength, yield strength, elongation and section shrinkage are excellent, which can meet various needs.
Good surface aesthetics: 304 stainless steel has a bright and beautiful surface, and is easy to clean and maintain, so it is widely used in the manufacture of kitchen utensils, furniture and other daily necessities.
It should be noted that although 304 stainless steel has many advantages, corrosion and deformation may still occur in some special environments, such as high temperature, high pressure, strong corrosion and other conditions. Therefore, when selecting and using 304 stainless steel, it is necessary to evaluate and select according to the specific use environment and requirements.
316 Stainless Steel Performance?
316 stainless steel is a high-alloy stainless steel material, mainly containing chromium, nickel, molybdenum and other elements, with excellent corrosion resistance and mechanical propertiesIts performance is as follows:
Corrosion resistance: 316 stainless steel has a higher molybdenum content, which makes it better than 304 stainless steel, especially in chloride environments, such as seawater and acidic environments. Therefore, 316 stainless steel is widely used in marine engineering, chemical industry, pharmaceutical and other fields.
High temperature resistance: 316 stainless steel has good high temperature strength and oxidation resistance, and can maintain stable performance in high temperature environment, and the general use temperature limit is 1200-1300 degrees. Therefore, it is often used in the manufacture of high-temperature equipment.
Mechanical properties: 316 stainless steel has high strength, plasticity and toughness, suitable for manufacturing high-strength mechanical structures, and can withstand the test of high stress and high temperature environment.
Processability: 316 stainless steel has good processing performance, and can be molded into parts of different shapes and sizes by hot and cold working, and its welding performance is also very good, suitable for various welding methods.
In addition, 316 stainless steel also has good surface aesthetics, the surface is bright, beautiful, easy to clean and maintain, so it is also widely used in the manufacture of kitchen utensils, furniture and other daily necessities.
However, 316 stainless steel is relatively high and difficult to process, requiring high cutting forces and cutting speeds, as well as high environmental requirements in the manufacturing process.
Application scenarios: each has its own strengths
304 stainless steel application scenarios?
304 stainless steel is widely used in the following scenarios due to its excellent corrosion resistance, high temperature resistance, good processability and decoration:
Architectural decoration field: 304 stainless steel can make a variety of indoor and outdoor decoration materials, such as stainless steel doors and windows, wall panels, ceilings, handrails, stairs, etc. Due to its beautiful surface and easy to clean, it is also often used to decorate high-end spaces such as villas, star hotels, etc.
Food processing field: 304 stainless steel is non-toxic, tasteless, and meets food hygiene standards, so it is widely used in tableware, kitchenware, food storage equipment, etc. in the food processing industry.
Medical device field: 304 stainless steel has good biocompatibility and is widely used in the production of surgical instruments, medical equipment, artificial joints and other medical instruments.
It should be noted that in highly aggressive industrial or marine atmospheres, it is best to use 316 stainless steel, because the corrosion resistance of 316 stainless steel is better than that of 304 stainless steel. But in most other environments, 304 stainless steel offers excellent performance and longevity.
What is the application scenario of 316 stainless steel?
316 stainless steel is a high-alloy stainless steel material with excellent corrosion resistance, high temperature resistance and mechanical properties, and is widely used in the following scenarios:
Offshore engineering: Due to its excellent corrosion resistance in chloride environments (such as seawater), 316 stainless steel is often used in equipment manufacturing in marine engineering, such as ships, offshore platforms, oilfield equipment, etc.
Chemical and pharmaceutical industry: 316 stainless steel can withstand extreme acid, alkali, salt and gas environments, so it is widely used in storage tanks, pipelines, reactors and other equipment in the chemical and pharmaceutical industries.
Medical devices: 316 stainless steel is not only corrosion-resistant, but also has high biocompatibility and antibacterial properties, so it is often used in the manufacture of medical devices, such as artificial joints, heart stents, dental equipment, etc.
Food processing equipment: 316 stainless steel is non-toxic, corrosion-resistant, and will not contaminate food, so it is widely used in the manufacture of food processing equipment, such as stainless steel tanks, conveyor belts, etc. Especially in environments where high temperatures and strong corrosion are required, such as beer manufacturing equipment, 316 stainless steel is the material of choice.
High-temperature equipment: 316 stainless steel has good high-temperature resistance and can be used to manufacture high-temperature equipment such as heat exchangers, boilers, furnaces, etc.
Other fields: In addition, 316 stainless steel is also widely used in petroleum, light industry, machinery and instruments and other industrial transmission pipelines and mechanical structural components. When the bending and torsional strength are the same, 316 stainless steel is relatively lightweight, so it is also widely used in the manufacture of mechanical parts and engineering structures.
It should be noted that although the performance of 316 stainless steel is excellent, it is relatively high and difficult to process. Therefore, when choosing to use, it is necessary to evaluate according to the specific use environment and requirements. In some less aggressive environments, 304 stainless steel may be a more economical and reasonable choice.
What are the 304 stainless steel and 316 stainless steel products?
304 stainless steel products are recommended
Tableware: 304 stainless steel is a food-grade material that is widely used in the manufacture of tableware, such as bowls, plates, chopsticks, spoons, etc. Not only are these cutlery corrosion-resistant, easy-to-clean, but also have a long lifespan, making them ideal for homes and restaurants.
The following is a recommended 304 stainless steel cutlery
Kitchen equipment: Sinks, faucets, stoves and other equipment in the kitchen are also often made of 304 stainless steel. These appliances are resistant to corrosion, high temperatures, and easy to clean and maintain, making them ideal for kitchen environments.
The following is a recommended 304 stainless steel kitchen faucet
Thermos cup: 304 stainless steel thermos cup has good thermal insulation performance and corrosion resistance, can maintain water temperature for a long time, is easy to carry, and is a practical choice for outdoor activities and daily life.
The following is a recommended 304 stainless steel thermos mug
When purchasing, please take care to check the product description and label to make sure that the product you are buying is indeed made of 304 stainless steel. In addition, there may be differences in product quality and performance between different brands and manufacturers, so it is advisable to choose a reputable brand and manufacturer based on your needs and budget.
316 stainless steel products are recommended
Tableware: Like 304 stainless steel, 316 stainless steel can also be used to make tableware, such as cutlery, bowls and plates, etc. Since 316 stainless steel is more resistant to corrosion, especially in chloride-containing environments, it is suitable for use at the seaside or in areas with high humidity.
The following is a recommended 316 stainless steel cutlery
Jewelry: 316 stainless steel can also be used to make jewelry, such as necklaces, bracelets, etc. It does not cause allergies or irritation in contact with **, and has good luster and durability.
The following is a recommended 316 stainless steel jewelry
Ship accessories: Due to its excellent corrosion resistance in marine environments, 316 stainless steel is often used in the manufacture of ship accessories, such as anchor chains, rigging, etc. These fittings are required to be able to withstand the erosion of seawater and salt spray, and 316 stainless steel is the ideal choice.
The following is a recommended 316 stainless steel marine fitting
When buying 316 stainless steel products, you also need to pay attention to check the product description and labels to ensure that the product you are buying is indeed made of 316 stainless steel. In addition, since the ** of 316 stainless steel is relatively high, you need to weigh the relationship between its performance and cost when purchasing, and choose the product that best suits your needs and budget.
304 stainless steel and 316 stainless steel, as the best in the stainless steel family, each plays an important role in different fields. Through the demystification of this article, I believe you have a deeper understanding of them. In the future, whether you are shopping for daily necessities or equipment in the professional field, you can make a more informed choice.