304 stainless steel and 316 stainless steel in the engineering field because of its unique properties and applications and attention. Although they both have the characteristics of high temperature resistance and corrosion resistance, their chemical composition, mechanical properties and scope of application are significantly different.
First of all, from the chemical composition, 304 stainless steel average nickel content of more than 8.0%, while 316 stainless steel nickel content is higher, usually more than 10.0%. The presence of nickel not only improves the metal's high temperature stability and mechanical strength, but also enhances oxidation resistance.316 stainless steel is unique in that it contains molybdenum, which is not present in 304, which makes its corrosion resistance surpass that of 304 stainless steel.
In terms of performance, there is a significant difference between 304 stainless steel and 316 stainless steel. 304 stainless steel can not be strengthened by heat treatment, can not be quenched like carbon steel, and is non-magnetic, which restricts its use in some demanding applications. In contrast, 316 stainless steel shows stronger resistance to acid and alkali and high temperature, the stability of thermal expansion and contraction makes it dominant in the production of precision parts. 304 stainless steel is widely used in civil decoration, machinery manufacturing and medical equipment because of its moderate price, while 316 stainless steel is particularly suitable for printing and dyeing industry and seawater facilities and other environments that need to resist corrosion due to its superior chlorine ion corrosion resistance.
In summary, 304 stainless steel and 316 stainless steel each have their own applicable scenarios, which one to choose, need to be based on the specific application needs to decide, 304 stainless steel is suitable for general corrosion resistance and cost-sensitive projects, while 316 stainless steel is the ideal choice for the field of higher requirements for corrosion resistance.