What are the differences between the common 304 stainless steel and 316 stainless steel
Publisher：Jiangsu Farrand Metal Products Co., Ltd. Release time：2025-07-08 13:11:03 Number of clicks：
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The most common ones are 304 and 316. The different compositions determine the durability of stainless steel, so don't buy the wrong one. When comparing 304 and 316 stainless steel, which one is better? Now, let the editor of Jiangsu Flanders Stainless Steel Sales Company tell you! Among the components of stainless steel, 304 and 316 are the most widely used. They can not only be used as the inner linings of thermos flasks but also be made into various cookware and instruments. It is still made of food-grade materials and is safe enough for daily use.
304 stainless steel contains about 18% chromium and over 8% nickel. On this basis, 316 stainless steel also adds 2% molybdenum, making its corrosion resistance even more superior.
In addition, there are the 201 series and 430 series stainless steels. Compared with the above two, their quality and advantages are much weaker, so their usage rate is not high.
The differences between 304 stainless steel and 316 stainless steel
Since the constituent materials of 304 and 316 are not much different, what exactly are the differences between the two? I asked the master craftsman, and he gave three answers:
The anti-corrosion performance is different
This point was mentioned when introducing 304 and 316 stainless steel. Because 316 stainless steel contains molybdenum, its corrosion resistance is better and its acid and alkali resistance is also improved.
304 stainless steel lacks molybdenum, so its corrosion resistance and acid and alkali resistance are inferior to those of 316.
2. Different application fields
Although both are food-grade materials, they are used in different fields. For instance, 316 stainless steel has excellent corrosion resistance, and many medical devices are made of 316.
304 stainless steel is widely used in cookware, tableware and so on, with a very wide range of applications. The stainless steel countertops, cooking POTS and tableware in our home are all made of 304 grade.
3. Different prices
The price of 316 stainless steel is over 20,000 yuan per ton, while that of 304 is between 15,000 and 20,000 yuan per ton. Therefore, the cost price of 316 is higher.
However, the 316 model is more expensive because of its superior performance. As the saying goes, "You get what you pay for."
Which is better, 304 or 316?
If you are looking for good value for money, you should definitely buy 304 stainless steel. It is corrosion-resistant, highly resilient and heat-resistant, and can basically meet our daily needs.
If you often make milk, coffee and other beverages, it is recommended to purchase 316 stainless steel, as milk and coffee are highly corrosive and 304 can basically be corroded.
If you want to buy a better quality thermos, then choose one with a 316 inner liner and a 304 or 201 stainless steel outer shell.
It should be noted that 316 stainless steel is relatively soft. Therefore, when cleaning the inner liner of the cup, it is best to use a sponge brush. Using other harder materials for cleaning will leave scratches. The above is all the content about 304 and 316 stainless steel. To sum up, when comparing 304 and 316 in terms of material alone, 316 is definitely better, as it has strong corrosion resistance and acid and alkali resistance. In terms of cost performance, 304 has a slight edge.www.boismarinecreation.com
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