Differences Between 304 and 316 Stainless Steel

304 Stainless Steel

Type 304 is a grade of Stainless Steel with its chromium-nickel content and low carbon, is the most versatile and widely used of the austenitic stainless steels. Its alloys are all modifications of the 18% chromium, 8% nickel austenitic alloy. SS 304 proves to be resistant to oxidation, corrosion, and durability. All provide ease of fabrication and cleaning, prevention of product contamination offer a variety of finishes and appearances. Type 304 stainless steel are used in corrosion resistant electrical enclosures, auto molding and trim, wheel covers, kitchen equipment, hose clamps, exhaust manifolds, stainless hardware, storage tanks, pressure vessels and piping.

304 Stainless Steel Chemical Composition

Grade C Mn Si P S Cr Mo Ni N
304 min. 18.0 8.0
max. 0.08 2.0 0.75 0.045 0.030 20.0 10.5 0.10

Stainless Steel 304 Mechanical Properties

Grade Tensile Strength (MPa)
min
Yield Strength 0.2% Proof
(MPa) min
Elongation (% in 50mm)
min
Hardness
Rockwell B (HR B)
max
Brinell (HB)
max
304 515 205 40 92 201

Stainless Steel 304 Physical Properties

Grade Density
(kg/m3)
Elastic
Modulus (GPa)
Mean Coefficient of Thermal
Expansion (m/m/0C)
Thermal
Conductivity
(W/m.K)
Specific Heat 0-
1000C (J/kg.K)
Electrical
Resistivity (n.m)
0-1000C 0-3150C 0-5380C at 1000C at 5000C
304 8000 193 17.2 17.8 18.4 16.2 21.5 500 720

Stainless Steel 304 Equivalent

Equivalent Grades for 304 Stainless Steel

Grade UNS No Old British Euronnorm Swedish SS Japanese JIS GOST
BS En No Name
SS 304 S30400 304S31 58E 1.4301 X5CrNi18-10 2332 SUS 304 08X18H10

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316 Stainless Steel

Stainless Steel 316 Composition

316 Stainless Steel Chemical Composition

Grade C Mn Si P S Cr Mo Ni N
316 min. 16.0 2.0-3.0 10.0
0.035 max 2.0 max 0.75 max 0.045 max 0.030 max 18.0 max 14.0 max

Stainless Steel 316 Mechanical Properties

Grade Tensile Strength (MPa) min Yield Strength 0.2% Proof (MPa) min Elongation (% in 50mm) min Hardness
Rockwell B (HR B) max Brinell (HB) max
316 515 205 40 95 217

Stainless Steel 316 Physical Properties

Grade Density (kg/m3) Elastic Modulus (GPa) Mean Coefficient of Thermal Expansion (m/m/0C) Thermal Conductivity (W/m.K) Specific Heat 0-1000C (J/kg.K) Electrical Resistivity (n.m)
0-1000C 0-3150C 0-5380C at 1000C at 5000C
316 7750 200 15.9 16.2 17.0 14.2 18.7 500 720

Stainless Steel 316 Equivalent

Equivalent Grades for 316 Stainless Steel

STANDARD WERKSTOFF NR. UNS JIS BS GOST AFNOR EN
SS 316 1.4401 / 1.4436 S31600 SUS 316 316S31 / 316S33 Z7CND17-11-02 X5CrNiMo17-12-2 / X3CrNiMo17-13-3

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STAINLESS STEEL 304 AND 316 COMPARISON

 304304L316316L
StrengthSimilar with 316Slightly lower than 304 due to decreased amount of carbonSimilar to 304Slightly lower than 316 due to decreased amount of carbon
Corrosion ResistanceGood corrosion resistance to chemical and atmospheric exposures, with a high resistance to oxidationSimilar to 304 but better resistance to intergranular corrosion caused by the high heat of weldingBetter corrosion resistance to stronger acids and solutions, particularly chloride solutions or saline environmentsSimilar to 316 but better resistance to intergranular corrosion caused by the high heat of welding
WeldabilityExcellent, but likely to develop weld decayExcellent; least likely to develop weld decayExcellent, but likely to develop weld decayExcellent; least likely to develop weld decay
ApplicationsGeneral Stainless Steel applicationsGeneral Stainless Steel applications that require much weldingMarine applications; environments with high levels of chlorideMarine applications, environments with high levels of chloride that require much welding

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Special Steel

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