Difference Between SS 304 and SS 316?

SS 304 vs SS 316 – Which Stainless Steel Grade is Right for You?

When it comes to stainless steel plate selection, SS 304 and SS 316 are the two most common grades across industries. Both belong to the austenitic family and are known for their corrosion resistance, formability, and mechanical strength. However, their performance varies significantly in harsh or chemical-rich environments. This page will help industrial buyers, project engineers, and procurement teams understand which grade is suitable for specific applications.

What is the Difference Between SS 304 and SS 316?

The main difference between SS 304 and SS 316 is the presence of molybdenum (Mo) in SS 316. While SS 304 contains chromium and nickel, SS 316 adds around 2–3% molybdenum, which enhances its resistance to chlorides, salts, and marine corrosion. This makes SS 316 the preferred choice in coastal, chemical, and marine applications, while SS 304 is ideal for general indoor and mild industrial use.

Use Cases of SS 304 and SS 316 in Different Industries

Application Area	Preferred Grade	Reason for Selection
Food & Beverage Equipment	SS 304	Hygienic, cost-effective
Chemical Processing Tanks	SS 316	High chloride resistance
Marine & Coastal Fabrication	SS 316	Saltwater durability
Kitchenware & Utensils	SS 304	Cost-effective & corrosion-resistant
Pharmaceutical Machinery	SS 316	Sterile and chemical-resistant
Architectural Use (Indoor)	SS 304	Aesthetic + corrosion protection
Sewage Treatment & Pumps	SS 316	Acid and brine resistance

Comparative Mechanical Properties of SS 304 and SS 316

Property	SS 304	SS 316
Tensile Strength (MPa)	~515	~515
Yield Strength (MPa)	~205	~205
Elongation (%)	40–60	40–60
Hardness (Brinell)	~201	~217
Density (g/cm³)	8.0	8.0
Max Service Temp (°C)	870	870 (in air)

International Standards & Designations: SS 304 vs SS 316

Both grades conform to ASTM A240 / ASME SA240, but they differ in UNS and EN designations:

Grade	ASTM/ASME	UNS Number	EN Standard	ISO
SS 304	A240 / SA240	UNS S30400	EN 1.4301	X5CrNi18-10
SS 316	A240 / SA240	UNS S31600	EN 1.4401	X5CrNiMo17-12-2

SS 316L (low carbon variant) is also popular where weldability is crucial.

Available Sizes, Plate Thickness & Dimensions

Both grades are available in:

• Thickness: 2 mm to 100 mm
• Width: 1000 mm / 1250 mm / 1500 mm / 2000 mm / custom
• Length: 2000 mm to 6000 mm or custom cut-to-size

Hindustan Steel Corporation provides cut-to-length and profile-cut services for both SS 304 and SS 316 plates.

Corrosion Resistance Comparison: SS 304 vs SS 316

SS 316 offers superior resistance to:

• Chloride stress corrosion cracking
• Acidic and saline media
• Pitting and crevice corrosion

SS 304 performs well in mild environments, but in chemical plants, coastal fabrication, or saltwater exposure, SS 316 is the safer investment.

Welding, Bending & Formability Differences

Feature	SS 304	SS 316
Welding	Excellent	Excellent
Formability	High	Slightly lower than 304
Post-Weld Treatment	Not usually required	Recommended for critical jobs
Machinability	Comparable for both	Slight edge to SS 304

Both grades can be laser cut, sheared, CNC profiled, or cold rolled into desired shapes.

Why Choose Hindustan Steel for SS 304 / SS 316 Plates?

We offer:

• Dual-certified SS 304/304L and SS 316/316L plates
• Mill test reports (MTR), ultrasonic tested plates
• Stock in multiple finishes: 2B, No. 1, mirror, matte
• CNC cutting and surface customization
• Export packaging + third-party inspection (BV / SGS)

Common Alternatives: When to Use 316L or 304L?

• SS 304L: For welding-intensive fabrication with low risk of intergranular corrosion
• SS 316L: For chloride-heavy environments needing better weld performance
• SS 316Ti: For high-temperature service with resistance to sensitization
• SS 904L: If budget allows and corrosion is extreme

Export Supply & Global Packaging Support

At Hindustan Steel Corporation, we export both SS 304 and SS 316 stainless steel plates to over 45+ countries including:

• UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Vietnam, Malaysia
• South Africa, Kenya, Nigeria
• UK, Germany, Turkey
• USA, Canada, Mexico

Export Services Include:

• Wooden pallet and seaworthy packing
• Fumigation and ISPM 15 compliance
• MTC + EN 10204 3.1 / 3.2 certificates
• Custom thickness and mirror polish available for international specs

Buyer’s Guide: When to Choose SS 304 or SS 316?

Choose SS 304 when:

• You need general corrosion resistance
• Project is indoor or dry environment
• Budget is a constraint

Choose SS 316 when:

• Application involves chloride, saline, or acidic exposure
• Long-term durability is a priority
• Project is in coastal, marine, or chemical areas

If in doubt, request a free consultation or MOC recommendation from our team.

Certifications & Test Reports Offered

We provide:

• Mill Test Certificate (EN 10204 3.1 / 3.2)
• Ultrasonic Testing Report
• Pitting Resistance Equivalence (PREN)
• NABL-Approved Lab Analysis
• IBR, ISO, PED Compliance Certificates

Every dispatch includes quality-approved traceability documents.

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