The key difference is the addition of molybdenum, an alloy which drastically enhances corrosion resistance, especially for more saline or chloride-exposed environments. . Both types are non magnetic. The addition of molybdenum provides pitting resistance in phosphoric acid, acetic acid and dilute chloride solutions and provides corrosion resistance in sulfurous acid. Cutting Speeds Recoendations for 300 Series Martensitic Stainless Steel This helps resist corrosion to chlorides (like seawater and de-icing salts). 316 stainless steel contains molybdenum, but 304 does not. That durability makes 304 easy to sanitize, and therefore ideal for kitchen and food applications. However, considering the price of replacing an entire process line, plus manufacturing downtime, these costs are insignificant. It is easy to clean for strains. Most stainless steel handed down around the world is Grade 304. 303 is a non-magnetic austenitic stainless steel that contains 18% chromium and 8% nickel. Contact Now . The 304 vs 316 stainless steel machinability is favorable for the 304 material. AISI 304 . This means that SS 316 is more suitable for making products subjected to more force than SS 304. 316F - Free-machining grade for automatic machine screw parts as well as . Both types 304 and 316 are easily welded and formed. In contrast, 316 stainless steel contains 16% chromium, 10% nickel, and 2% molybdenum. 304 vs 316 Stainless Steel: Machinability. Machinability Rating Machinability Ratings - Stainless Grade Approximate Surf. It's not as corrosion resistant as 304 stainless steel, but it still stands on its own. . 304 can withstand corrosion from most oxidizing acids. You can expect to pay about 1.6 times more for 316 vs 304 SS. Learn about the differences between 304 vs 316 stainless steel, pros, and cons of each one, and the applications for 304 stainless steel vs 316. So its degree of corrosion resistance is higher than the 18-8 series stainless steels. Type 316 stainless steel in an environment of 25% phosphoric acid, and Figure 3 shows effects of temperature on Types 304 and 316 in very concentrated sulfuric acid. First, here is some backround info. Martensitic stainless steel grades contain moderate levels of corrosion resistance, high hardenability and machinability, poor formability and can be welded with caution. This additive makes gives 316 very good heat and corrosion resistance. The low carbon content combined with high chromium/nickel/molybdenum amount results in soft material with high resistance to machining and a low machinability rating of 40%. Type 304 stainless steel possesses excellent corrosion resistance and toughness but is subject to pitting in warm chloride-based atmospheres. Characteristics and uses. Yield strength is the maximum force you can apply to the metal before it changes shape permanently. They have 81% of their average alloy composition in common. . Not only is grade 304 steel easier to machine but it is easier to clean. Both grade 304 and 321 belong to the Austenitic 300 series stainless steel. Ft. In contrast, Alloy 303 is the easiest stainless steel to process. 316 stainless steel is typically more expensive than 304 because of its increased nickel content and the addition of molybdenum. All stainless steels require a minimum of 10.5% chromium and they are alloyed with iron which makes up a large proportion of their final makeup. While 304 is an economical and practical choice for most environments, it doesn't have the corrosion-resistance of higher quality 316 stainless steel. Type 316 has one of the highest corrosion resistance among the stainless steel alloys. 304 is made up of 18% chromium, 316 contains 17% chromium. In comparison to grade 304, stainless steel 316 is more prone . Conclusion 316 stainless steel or 316 SS is the second most popular austenitic grade of stainless steel, and it comprises iron, 10-14% nickel, and 16-18% chromium. There are 33 material properties with values for both materials. . Welding, however, doesn't work well with 303. 304 Stainless Steel Comprising 18% chromium and 8% nickel, type 304 stainless steel is sometimes referred to as 18/8. In general, austenitic stainless steels tend to have difficult machining behavior. It has a machinability level of 150 and a baseline machinability level of 100. The biggest difference between the grades is molybdenum is added to Type 316 to increase corrosion and pitting resistance. Type 316 is an alloy of choice for orthopaedic implants and artificial heart valves. 302 stainless steel grade is higher version of the grade 304. While there are no visible differences between 304 and 316 stainless steel, there are distinctive chemical differences - the most crucial difference being their chemical compositions. Austenitic Stainless is non-magnetic and non-hardenable. 304 stainless steel has a yield strength of 215MPa, while 316 stainless steel has a yield strength of 290MPa. Post-welding, 316 stainless steel parts require annealing to avoid corrosion. 0.1-3mm dia sphere for example) can be attracted to powerful magnetic separators positioned in the product stream. Also, an austenitic stainless steel, the key difference in . 302 stainless steel grade is manufactured with high heat working and cold . Type 316 is the next most commonly used austenitic stainless steel. 316l stainless steel or officially known as Grade 316l has a lower carbon content compared to 316 stainless steel. That is also why it is used on surfaces that are visible to the public. A little research now saves you lead time and money later. Per Min. A few percentages this way or that in chromium and nickel. Stainless steel is touted for its resistance to corrosion and staining, and low Model: S0329-000x. The corrosion resistance of stainless steel 316 is better than that of 304, stainless steel 316 is also resistant to the erosion of the ocean and the corrosive industrial gas. Think car fenders and stainless steel serving trays. What can I do for you? SS 316 is better than SS 304 in terms of corrosion resistance, heat resistance and certain properties, but the price is higher than AISI 304, for more details, please check stainless steel grade 304 vs 316, and 316 vs 316L. The main difference between 304 and 316 stainless steel is the fact that 316 stainless contains a significantly increased amount of molybdenum. The real distinction in the stainless steel 316 vs 304 SS comparison is the presence of molybdenum (2-3%) alongside the other alloying elements such as carbon, manganese, and silicon. This grade was designed to exhibit good machinability while having improved mechanical and corrosion resistance properties. While 316 comes in second in the quantities sold, it provides highly superior resistant oh corrosion to acids and chlorides. 302. 304 Stainless is a Group C Austenitic Chromium-Nickel alloy that might also contain Titanium, Molybdenum, and other alloying elements. Ft. The main difference between 304 vs 316 stainless steel is that 304 does not contain molybdenum, while 316 contains 2-3% molybdenum and less chromium and more nickel. Similar to 304, 316 stainless steel is a chromium-nickel stainless. Any advice or input would be greatly appreciated! This low carbon content reduces the effect of carbide precipitation during sheet metal fabrication processes such as welding. The simple answer is 304 contains 18% chromium and 8% nickel while 316 contains 16% chromium, 10% nickel and 2% molybdenum. It offers the model corrosion resistance, strength, easy maintenance, and formability, for which stainless is known. Type 303 stainless is a free-cutting material, with the best machinability of any austenitic stainless steel. This increase in molybdenum results in increased corrosion resistance. The key difference between 316 and 316L stainless steel is the carbon content. So, compared with level 304, type 303 is weakened to the resistance of corrosion. The most popular 304 grade stainless contains 18% chromium and 8% nickel though other alloys exist within the same grade. Annealing or solution treatment can be done after heating to 1010-1120C, by quick cooling. Use 316 When: You are in a marine or corrosive environment. The main difference between 316 and 304 stainless steel is that 316 contains an increased amount of molybdenum [4]. % Relative Speed Based on B-1112 as 100% (165 SFM) 302 302/304 "B" 303 303 High Tensile 304 304 L 309 310 316 316 "B" 316 L 317-317 L 321 330 347 403 410 416 Ann 416 H.T. . It is mainly used for pitting resistant materials. That said, grade 303 steel is, for the most part, unweldable. The main difference between 304 and 316 is that 316 contains a significant content of molybdenum (Mo). 316L stainless steel (UNS S31603) is the low carbon version of AISI 316. 304 stainless steel contains 18% chromium and 8% nickel. 430F. It provides additional corrosion resistance, high flexibility, superior appearance and abrasion resistance. The cost of stainless steel is largely dependent on the alloys that are present in their composition. The addition makes the metal less likely to rust, especially when it comes in contact with chlorides and other industrial solvents. Use 304 When: . This is another widely-used austenitic stainless steel alloy, and it is famous thanks to its durability, tensile strength, and resistance to oxidation and corrosion. Cost: 304 stainless steel is usually available for a lower cost than 316 stainless steel. Adding an additional 2-3% molybdenum can reduce this sensitivity, which gives birth to 316. Generally, 316 stainless steel is higher in price versus 304 stainless steel. At Bergsen Metals, we provide an inventory of stainless steel products, including 304/304L stainless steel, 316/316L stainless steel, and more. The weldability of 304 vs. 316 stainless steels depends on their carbon content. Applications of 303 Stainless Steel Tests should cover condi- From the table, we can see that the Biggest difference between 304 vs 316 stainless steel is that stainless steel 306 has 2-3 more nickel than 304 stainless steel. For these applications, Type 316 is the answer. So it must be hardened through cold working. Our Work. Both 304 and 316 stainless steel possesses paramagnetic characteristics. 316 stainless steel contains molybdenum. 316 Stainless Steel Contains a minimum of 16% chromium, 10% nickel and 2% molybdenum. Alternative 300-series grades can contain up to 7 percent molybdenum. They are similar in corrosion resistance, strength, hardness and welding performance, but 321 is mostly used in the heat resistance condition of 500-600 . 304 vs 316 stainless steel machinability. The melting range of 316 is 2,500 F - 2,550 F (1,371 C - 1,399 C), roughly 50 to 100 degrees Fahrenheit lower than the melting point of grade 304 stainless steel. Type 304 stainless doesn't harden with heat treatment and is not a free-cutting material, making it less than ideal for use in machining. Yet, type 303 has an altered composition to rise machinability. Portfolio; Case Studies; Connect; Blog; 304 vs 316 Stainless Steel. Molybdenum is a transition metal with high corrosion resistanceSo the . This type of steel can be used in a variety of applications such as gas turbines, aerospace, and power generation. The characteristics responsible for differentiating these common class 300 stainless steels also uniquely position each alloy to perform for specific applications. However, it is the most difficult to machine among the commonly used stainless steels. SS 316 Data Sheet & Specification That is one reason why it comes in so many different finishes. #1. Check out our 304 product guide with more chemistry information and mechanical data. This is due to the higher levels of nickel content contained within 316, as well as the presence of molybdenum. The carbon content is held to 0.08% maximum, while the nickel content is increased slightly. The melting point of 304 stainless steel is higher than its 316 stainless steel counterpart, ranging between 2,550 - 2,650 F or 1399 - 1454 C. It is also non-magnetic. Properties with values for just one material (3, in this case) are not shown. Type 316 is very similar to Type 304, but it has an increased amount of molybdenum that provides high corrosion resistance. Stainless steels of the 316 grade include less chromium often around 16% but increase nickel levels and add molybdenum to the mix. It could be formed and machined. Stainless steel floats The main difference between 304 vs. 316 stainless steel involves the 316 grade's much higher levels of molybdenum, which are typically 2-3 percent by weight and provide better corrosion resistance. The part requires more forming or machining operations. The two most common grades are 304 and 316. Properties of 316L Stainless Steel Grade 302 302/304 "B" 303 303 High Tensile 304 304 L 309 310 316 304 stainless steel does not. 303 Stainless Steel. Stainless steel 304 and 316 have excellent machinability. Chromium is responsible for giving steel its hardness and corrosion resistance. The main difference is that 316 stainless steel has between 2% and 3% molybdenum in it. The machinability grade of 316 steel is 60, while the machinability grade of 316B is 50, and the machinability grade of 304 and 304L grades is the same, both are 70. Hence, specialized tools must be used to machine these alloys. 304, by contrast, is the standard stainless steel in most industries and is widely available at a lower cost. The most common form of 304 stainless steel is 18-8, or 18/8, stainless steel, which contains 18 percent chromium and 8 percent nickel. We discuss and compare stainless steel 304 and stainless steel 316 materials for CNC machining. This is a little tid-bit I found about the 6-4 Grade 5 titanium I found locally: Ti-6AL-4V (or Ti 6-4), this designation refers to its chemical composition of almost 90% titanium, 6% aluminum, 4% vanadium, 0.25% (max) iron and 0.2% (max) oxygen. . Thank you for your reply! 304 belongs to the Cr-Ni system, and 316 belongs to the Cr-Ni-Mo system. Type 316 has lower formability than 303 or 304 stainless steels, but its higher resistances make it more expensive to source. Grade 304L has lower carbon while 347 has niobium stabilizers added to it which help to deter intergranular corrosion. 304 stainless steel vs 316 Cost. 440c Stainless Steel Fasteners; CNC Machining Aluminium Parts . They can be heat-treated to provide a range of mechanical properties. Here are a few resources for more guidance on stainless steel grades: 304 vs. 316 stainless steel tubing; 316 vs. 316L stainless steel; Stainless steel vs. carbon steel tubing; Cost of stainless steel tubing vs. aluminum tubing ; Either way, always know your metal! Pros and Cons of 304 Stainless Steel. It is known for being the most readily machinable grade of austenitic stainless steel. 304 contains no trace of molybdenum, 316 contains 2.1% molybdenum. In most common alloys, you'll find 10% nickel and 2 to 3% molybdenum. Posted by Max Gulden on Feb 16, 2017 4:02:00 PM Find me on: LinkedIn. Above 3 stainless steel grades are the 3 best stainless steel grades for machining industries. In general, stainless steel naturally resistant to corrosion. Differentiating the Melting Points of 316 & 304 Stainless Steel. 304 stainless is a more affordable and machinable product than 316 stainless. While the 316 is hard to machine and hard to clean it does not catch rust and other surface corrosion easily. Hardness The difference derives from molybdenum. Following SAE 304, SAE 316 grade stainless steel is the second most common in commercial use today. The difference between 304 and 316 stainless steel is the incorporation of molybdenum of 316 reaches up to 3%. On average, 316 stainless steel costs 20 - 30% more than 304 . 2. It boasts a respectable level of resistance to corrosion, and is much easier to mold than its 316 stainless steel alternative. Download Download PDF. Grade 304 stainless steel, also known as A2 stainless steel, contains 18% to 20% chromium and 8% to 10% nickel, and grade 316 or A4 stainless steel contains about 16% chromium, 10% nickel and 2% to 3% molybdenum. Stainless Steel Polishing; Precision Shearing; Precision Sawing Services; Waterjet Cutting; Laser Cutting; Other Services. When welding austenitic stainless steels, grades such as 304L or 347 should be used. Type 304 is more machinable than 316 stainless steel. 304 stainless steel is the most widely used stainless and heat-resistant steel, which is used in food equipment, general chemical equipment, atomic energy industry and so on. The two most common stainless steel grades are 304 and 316. 304 stainless steel is also celebrated for its excellent machinability and formability. This alloy is suitable for applications that involve stamping, such as for sinks and saucepans. The addition of this transition metal increases 316's corrosion resistance and also imparts high heat resistance of up to 1600F. The molybdenum gives 316 better corrosion-resistant properties than 304 stainles s, notably higher resistance to pitting and crevice corrosion in chloride environments. 303 &. The various other elements present though have an impact on the . Their formability, strength and machinability are different. 316 stainless steel has better corrosion resistance than 06Cr19Ni0 in seawater and other media. The difference between them is the presence of the above-mentioned molybdenum in 316-grade steel, which 304 steel doesn't have. Type 316 is also austenitic, non-magnetic, and thermally nonhardenable stainless steel like Type 304. 304 . China 304 Vs 316 Stainless Steel Machinability Manufacture, Visit Here to Find the 304 Vs 316 Stainless Steel Machinability That You are Searching for. The same as 304, stainless steel 316 also cannot be hardened by heat treatment. In particular stainless steels that belong to the 300 series have the tendency to work harden. The most weldable stainless steels are typically in the austenitic group. - Heat Resistance. The first developed stainless steel is 304, which is sensitive to pitting corrosion under certain circumstances.