What is Stainless Steel?

Stainless Steel (SS) is the name given to a group of Iron based alloys that contain at least 10.5% chromium. It is versatile and durable and has good resistance to oxidation and corrosion.

 

Stainless Steel 304& Stainless Steel 316

The two most common stainless steel grades are 304 and 316.

 

See the major difference in the chemical composition below:

SS-304 18% Chromium 8% Nickel

 

SS-316 16% Chromium 10% Nickel 2% Molybdenum (For added corrosion resistance to chlorides, like sea water.)

The major difference in the applications

304 is the most common of the 300 series and has excellent resistance to corrosion in most applications.
316 is more resistant to sulfuric acid and sulfurous acids, acetic acid, iodides, bromides, chlorides, and also fatty acids at higher 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.

 

304 Stainless Steel Ball Valve

Ss 304 valve, with its chromium-nickel substance and low carbon, is the most flexible and broadly utilized of the austenitic stainless steels. Its compounds are all adjustments of the 18% chromium, 8% nickel composite. Sort 304 turns out to be impervious to oxidation, consumption, and toughness. All give simplicity of creation and cleaning, avoidance of item tainting offer an assortment of completions and appearances. Sort 304 stainless steels are utilized within ventilation systems, stainless fittings, stockpiling tanks, weight vessels and funneling.

 

316 Stainless Steel Ball Valve

Ss 316  valves is an authenticate chromium-nickel stainless and high temperature opposing steel with better consumption safety as looked at than other chromium-nickel steels when presented to numerous sorts of concoction erosion bringing on components, for example, ocean water, saline solution results, and so forth. Since Type 316 stainless steel amalgam holds molybdenum bearing it has a more prominent imperviousness to concoction assault than 304. Sort 316 is strong, simple to-create, clean, weld and completion. It is extensively more impervious to results of sulphuric corrosive, chlorides, bromides, iodides and unsaturated fats at high temperature.

 

While you can use Ss 304 vs 316, the Ss 316 parts are made to last longer in adverse conditions. Staineless Steel 304 parts cost less, but may have a shorter lifespan in some conditions.