304 & 316 Stainless Steel Grades Explained

304 & 316 Stainless Steel Grades Explained



If you’ve been considering adding a stainless steel outdoor kitchen to your home, you have probably heard the terms 304 stainless steel and 316L or marine grade stainless steel. These numbers refer to two grades of stainless steel, which are determined by their alloy composition and are extremely popular and widely used.To get more news about 316 stainless steel, you can visit stainless-steel-supplier official website.
304 Stainless Steel
304 stainless steel is made up of low carbon and chromium-nickel content which makes it extremely versatile and widely used out of all the stainless steel options. The 304 option has proven to be resistant to corrosion and oxidation and offers a variety of appearances and finishes. 304 is commonly used in kitchen equipment, storage tanks, stainless hardware and much more.

316 Stainless Steel
316 stainless steel is an austenitic chromium-nickel stainless and heat-resisting steel with remarkable resistance to corrosion in comparison to other steels when exposed to the outdoor elements like sea water. As 316 contains molybdenum, it has a higher resistance to chemical attack than type 304. The 316 option is easy to clean, weld and is highly durable. 316 tends to cost a little more. However, you could end up saving in the long run if the stainless steel is going to be used for the outdoors.

304 vs. 316 Stainless Steel
For a material to be considered stainless steel, at least 10.5% of the make-up must be chromium. Additional alloys typically include nickel, titanium, aluminum, copper, nitrogen, phosphorous, selenium and molybdenum. The key difference between the 304 and the 316L is the addition of molybdenum in the 316L. It is the molybdenum that enhances corrosion resistance in environments rich in salt air and chloride – giving 316L the moniker of “marine grade” stainless steel.