When 304 Meets 316L: The Ultimate Showdown over Corrosion Resistance

Amid the acid mist in the chemical workshop and under the shadowless lamp in the operating room, two types of stainless steel are engaged in a silent battle. 304 stainless steel, as the king in the household field, has quietly withdrawn from the stage with the addition of molybdenum in 316L. This battle against corrosion is actually a precise game of materials science.
Composition: 2% molybdenum changes the course of the battle
By adding 2-3% molybdenum, 316L forms a dense oxide film to resist chloride ion invasion. Its pitting resistance equivalent value (PREN) is as high as 26.3, far exceeding the 19 of 304. After the bolts of the Qingdao Cross-Sea Bridge were made of 316L, they remained as smooth as new after 10 years of salt spray erosion. Rust spots may appear on the coastal balcony railings of 304 within three years.
Actual performance in extreme environments
Seawater immersion: The corrosion rate of 316L in 3.5% salinity seawater is less than 0.01mm, while that of 304 reaches 0.03mm
Medical sterilization: After 200 high-pressure steam sterilizations, 316L instruments show no intergranular corrosion, while 304 May develop microcracks
Chemical storage tanks: 316L can withstand 15% sulfuric acid solution, while 304 is only suitable for nitric acid environments with a concentration of 65% or less
Selection Guide
For ordinary household sinks, 304 is sufficient. However, if you are pursuing
Lifelong rust prevention for coastal residences
Zero metal precipitation for high-end kitchenware
The absolute reliability of chemical equipment
The 30% additional cost of 16L will bring 70 years of maintenance-free peace of mind.
Nowadays, even Starbucks' steam valves have been comprehensively upgraded to 316L - this is not an upgrade in consumption, but an inevitable choice in the era of corrosion.

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