Comparison of Characteristics between 304 And 316 Series Stainless Steel Castings

316L stainless steel is the low-carbon version of 316, with the letter "L" indicating "low". Despite its low carbon content, the performance of 316L is almost identical to that of 316, both possessing durability and excellent corrosion resistance, making it the preferred material in high-pressure environments.

Main characteristics of 316/316L stainless steel

Corrosion resistance and high strength: suitable for environments containing chlorides or high temperatures.

Salt resistance: able to resist corrosion from salt and calcium salt water.

High temperature application: Heat treatment can be carried out within the range of 1038 to 1149 ° C.

304 stainless steel castings

304 stainless steel is the most common type, with 18-8 (18% chromium, 8% nickel) being the most popular. Its molecular structure is austenitic, which combines strength and processability, and is widely used in casting food machinery parts, construction, and filtration equipment. However, it performs poorly under high salt conditions and is not suitable for de icing salt environments in coastal or cold regions.

316 stainless steel castings

316 stainless steel castings has higher corrosion resistance due to its 2-3% molybdenum content, making it suitable for high humidity, high salt environments such as maritime hardware and coastal buildings. In addition, it performs well in laboratories, medical fields, and corrosive chemical environments.

316 is known as "marine grade" stainless steel and is an ideal replacement for environments where 304 is not suitable.