There are significant differences between stainless steel pneumatic fittings 304 and 316 in many aspects. These differences are mainly due to their chemical compositions, physical properties and applicable environment.
The following is a detail analysis of the differences between the two:
I. Chemical composition
304 stainless steel: It mainly contains 18% chromium and 8% nickel, which makes it have have good resistance to oxidation and corrosion. Its carbon content is low, generally 0.03%, manganese content is 2.0%, and silicon content is 0.75%.
316 stainless steel: In a addition to containing chromium and nickel content similar to 304 ( 16%~18% chromium, 10%~14% nickel ), it also contains 2%~3% molybdenum and 0.08% carbon. The addition of molybdenum significantly improves its corrosion resistance, especially in environments containing chloride ions.
II. Physical properties
Corrosion resistance: 316 stainless steel is superior to 304 stainless steel in terms of corrosion resistance. Especially in seawater, salt water or chloride-containing environments, the corrosion resistance of 316 stainless steel is even better. This is because the addition of molybdenum improves its stability in these environments.
Strength and hardness: Because 316 stainless steel contains molybdenum, its strength and hardness are usually higher than 304 stainless steel. This allows 316 stainless steel to withstanding higher temperatures and pressure while also being more resistant to wear and fatigue.
Magnetism: 304 stainless steel is slightly magnetic, while 316 stainless steel is non-magnetic at room temperature. This property may be a consideration in selecting materials for certain specific applications.
III. Applicable environment
304 stainless steel: It is suitable for general application fields, such as construction, kitchenware, etc. In a less harsh environment, its corrosion resistance and strength are sufficient to meet the needs.
316 stainless steel: Due to its excellent corrosion resistance and high strength, 316 stainless steel is often used to make marine equipment, chemical equipment and medical equipment and other demanding applications.
Because 316 stainless steel has a more complex composition and is more difficult to process, it is usually more expensive than 304 stainless steel. When selecting materials, it is necessary to make comprehensive considerations based on the actual use environment and budget.
To sum up, there are significant differences between stainless steel pneumatic fittings 304 and 316 in terms of chemical composition, physical properties, applicable environment and price. So the selection should be based on specific application scenarios and needs.
