Price is one of the key components in choosing stainless steel plate products. Grade 304L and 304 are two popular grades available that provide both strength and corrosion resistance for various situations.
Stainless steel grades 304 and 316L are typically found in processing equipment parts that have been stamped and machined, while the latter two types can also be found more commonly used in industries like marine, chemical processing and power transmission.
Corrosion Resistance
Stainless steel is an ideal material for applications requiring corrosion resistance, including architectural designs and trim, food and beverage equipment, pressure containers, chemical processing equipment and refrigeration parts.
One of the most widely-used stainless steel grades is 304, an austenitic grade with high carbon content that offers exceptional resistance to oxidation and has excellent formability, plus resistance against various forms of corrosion such as hydrogen sulfide and sulfur gases.
But stainless steel can become vulnerable to pitting and crevice corrosion when exposed to chloride solutions, especially when in contact with chloride ions that penetrate below its protective chromium coating to compromise internal structures.
Passivation treatments may help to address these issues by using nitric acid and potassium dichromate in combination to create a film over the surface of stainless steel.
This film enhances the surface density and corrosion resistance of stainless steel by coating its surface with iron, chromium and other metal oxides and hydroxides that can prevent electrochemical reactions from taking place.
Passivation treatments also boast significant improvements in terms of their ability to enhance the polarization curve and self-corrosion potential of stainless steel plates, such as those made of 304 grade. Following such treatment, positive shifts in their polarization curve become significantly reduced while their self-corrosion potential decreases due to having more mass fraction of chromium and oxygen in their passivation film, helping prevent rusting.
Additionally, the polarization curve of 304 stainless steel plates can be effectively managed using a mixture of nitric acid and potassium dichromate; this treatment increases resistance against corrosion while simultaneously decreasing costs.
304L is an extra low carbon version of standard 304, providing similar corrosion resistance without harmful carbide precipitation during welding processes. Therefore, this alloy may be preferred over higher carbon versions, like 304H, in applications that expose it to aggressive environments.
Strength
304 stainless steel is one of the most widely-used and versatile alloys on the market, featuring an optimal composition of 8% nickel and 18% chromium to provide increased corrosion protection and ease of fabrication, along with highly flexible handling characteristics, making it suitable for auto trim and molding, kitchen equipment, truck bodies, exhaust manifolds, storage tanks pressure piping vessels as well as pressure relief applications.
Stainless Steel 304 boasts excellent low temperature properties and cold working qualities that enable it to be formed into many shapes and sizes without post weld annealing being necessary to restore performance.
304 stainless steel also makes cleaning much simpler, making it essential for food processing equipment. Its resistance to corrosion enables easy disinfecting that reduces bacteria build-up while prolonging equipment lifespan.
Austenitic grades such as 415 stainless steel can be easily machined using various cutting methods such as plasma or oxy-fuel cutting, but cutting speeds must be kept lower to reduce work hardening and feed rates should increase accordingly.
Machinability can be increased by choosing appropriate tooling, lubricants, and coolants as well as following effective machining procedures, including keeping cutting edges sharp enough and deep enough to avoid work hardening while clearing away swarf.
Tensile strength of stainless steels refers to their maximum amount of stress resistance before cracking or breaking, typically 30 ksi (205 MPa). Maximum stress threshold can reach 75 ksi (515 MPa).
304 steel has an excellent combination of strength and ductility, meaning it resists bending, crimping and other types of deformation during fabrication processes.
Stainless steel 304 is often employed for structural applications due to its excellent combination of ductility and toughness, as well as being highly corrosion resistant – qualities which have also made it popular with auto and aircraft component makers.
316 stainless steel offers superior corrosion resistance in certain environments, particularly those exposed to acids or salts that contain Molybdenum; its presence helps fight corrosive compounds more effectively than with 304. However, 316 is more costly and should not be used in high temperature settings where chlorides could be present.
Durability
Stainless steel is one of the hardest metals on Earth, making it suitable for many different applications in harsh conditions without degrading. Plus, its versatile properties mean it can be formed into various shapes and sizes for multiple fabrication projects.
Stainless steel grade 304 is one of the most widely-used grades available, known for its long lifespan and excellent forming and welding properties. Furthermore, it comes in multiple finishes so you can find something to meet your specific needs easily.
Important to know, 304 stainless steel plate contains up to 0.08% carbon by weight, making it an extremely strong material. Furthermore, its high nickel content increases corrosion resistance significantly.
304 stainless steel has another advantage in terms of cost, making it suitable for a range of applications and industries, particularly food processing. It can withstand strong cleaning agents and chemical treatments without suffering damage.
As such, it is commonly utilized in beer brewing equipment and dairy machinery as well as medical/pharmaceutical devices. Furthermore, heat exchangers made of this material and architectural trim and molding use aluminum extensively as well.
This type of stainless steel is often seen in automobiles and other automotive equipment. You might see it used for engine blocks, exhaust manifolds and storage tanks – even buses and trucks use this material!
316 stainless steel stands out as being more corrosion resistant than its 304 counterpart, as its higher nickel content allows it to provide even greater corrosion resistance than 304. Because of this, 316 is frequently utilized in marine environments or high temperature settings.
304 stainless steel is an austenitic grade of stainless steel. This means it contains at least 18% chromium and 8% nickel for optimal performance, and comes in various colors and finishes to choose from. Furthermore, its flexibility makes it suitable for fabrication as well as cleaning processes.
Low Maintenance
Stainless steel sheet is an economical material to use for many projects due to its low maintenance requirements, making it a fantastic choice. From architecture cladding and fascias, to food hygiene applications such as antibacterial properties in food hygiene industries.
Prosaic Steel & Alloys’ extensive inventory of stainless steel sheets allows customers to achieve a stunning aesthetic in any project, as well as create an appealing atmosphere. Choose between different thicknesses and finishes and get them shipped worldwide!
Consider price as well as other criteria when selecting your supplier, although many buyers only consider price. Other aspects of buyer-supplier relationships are just as vital to success.
304 stainless steel is less costly than its 316 counterpart, while still offering adequate corrosion resistance. If you require something with lesser upkeep and maintenance requirements, opting for 304 grade may be worth considering.
In addition to being more cost-effective, 304 grade is more durable due to its higher nickel content and protects it from being dented or scratched from daily usage.
If you are uncertain which material to select for your project and budget, there is much information online regarding their differences. But ultimately it is up to you and only you to make this choice based on what best meets the needs and budget of your particular endeavor.
The 304 stainless steel alloy features high concentrations of chromium and nickel for excellent corrosion resistance, along with being nonmagnetic, easy to form and fabricate and nonmagnetic – making it suitable for light duty general-purpose applications.
316 stainless steel is a variation of 304, enhanced with molybdenum to increase its corrosion resistance and its ability to resist chlorides and other highly corrosive substances, strains and temperatures, making 316-grade an excellent choice for marine environments, medical applications, refining or chemical processing processes, or any area requiring exceptional corrosion resistance.
