Difference Between AISI 304 and AISI 316

Difference Between AISI 304 and AISI 316

Yaoyi Stainless Steel offers AISI 304 Stainless steel and AISI 316 Stainless steel in different sizes. We can provide you with stainless steel pipes and stainless steel coils. The thickness can be as low as 0.03mm. They are widely used in medicine, clamps, springs and other industries. According to different industries, we can provide you with different hardness standards. At the same time, the professional stainless steel laboratory also provides quality assurance for the aisi 304ss and aisi 316ss you purchase.

Related Resource

Yaoyi Stainless Steel Product Catalog

Stainless Steel Material Standard Comparison Table

ASTM A240 Technical Data

ASTM A182 Technical Data

Aisi 304 Stainless Steel and Aisi 316 Stainless Steel: The Ultimate FAQ Guide

Stainless steel 304 and 316 approved by the American Iron and Steel Institute standard has a high combination of hardness, toughness and corrosion resistance. 

 

Also, it is resistant to high temperature and oxidation. It is more suitable for marine industry and high temperature and pressure applications. 

 

This steel is suitable for many kinds of industries.

ASTM A240 Material: Applications and Classifications

What is AISI??

What is AISI 304 and 316?

8 Ways to identify a stainless steel graded by the AISI

What are the Applications of Aisi 304 and 316？

How good is AISI 304 and 316?

Is Aisi Stainless Steel Suitable For Outdoor Use?

Is Aisi Stainless steel Rustproof?

How Can I Tell If My Aisi Stainless Steel is 304 or 316?

Aisi 304 Or 316- Which is better?

Conclusion

What is AISI?

AISI or American Iron and Steel Institute is a nonprofit trade association that represents the interests of U.S. smelters, utilities, and iron and steel mills. The organization was founded in 1855, and in 1949 opened its first headquarter in Washington, D.C.

 

What comes to mind is that steel is a material that’s beyond reproach. When you think of steel, you think of sturdy skyscrapers, reliable bridges, and even planes and automobiles.

 

But as it turns out, steel is a tricky material to manufacture. It’s a difficult-to-work-with metal that requires a lot of heat and specific tools to form. 

 

That’s why the American Iron and Steel Institute exists—the institute serves as an advocacy group for the steel industry.

 

The three hypocycloids on the AISI Logo means:

 

They also represent the three materials used 

to produce steel

How To Find The Right Stainless Steel Supplier – YAOYI Stainless Steel

What is AISI 304 and 316?

 
AISI 304 Stainless steel

 

AISI approved 304 Stainless steel manufactured by the YAOYI group is an alloy that contains no more than 2.2% chromium and 0.045% nickel. 

 

It is a good choice for wear-resistant alloys and is frequently used in applications like kitchen utensils, dental bands, surgical implants and medical implants. 

 

304 stainless steel is also used in construction and automotive applications such as fuel tanks, impact-resistant parts, automotive chassis parts, and gas and oil burners. 

 

It is often used in conjunction with other stainless steels and carbon steels. 304 stainless steel is an alloy in which the main alloying element is chromium. It is more resistant to corrosion than most other stainless steels. 304 stainless steel is polished and then anodized to give a smooth and durable surface.

 

Grade 304 Stainless Steel Foil– YAOYI Stainless Steel

 

AISI 316 stainless steel

 

AISI 316 stainless steel is a type of stainless steel that is primarily used in food and beverage, pharmaceutical, and chemical processing industries. It is commonly referred to as “stainless” or “stainless steel” more commonly because of the absence of a carbon-based alloy. 

 

It is used in applications where a stainless steel surface is expected to be subject to aggressive chemicals such as acids, alkalis, caustic soda, and soil without corrosion.

 

ASTM A240 Type 304: Properties, Pricing, and Applications – YAOYI

 

8 Ways to identify a stainless steel graded by the AISI

AISI Stainless steel is a material that is made by combining several metals in different ratios in order to become a more durable, strong, and flexible material. 

 

It’s made by combining nickel, chromium, carbon, and iron together using different processes. This means that stainless steel is pretty much the opposite of a cheap, mass-produced material that will last a short time and break down over time.

 

1. Internal Structure

 

AISI 304 Stainless Steel is a type of stainless steel that is composed of a mixture of iron and chromium. It is a very good corrosion-resistant material and is used in the production of industrial equipment, automotive parts, and many household goods due to its ease of fabrication and high strength. 

 

AISI 316 Stainless steel, has a very high carbon content, is a material that has been in the stainless steel industry for some time. It is normally used in very high-pressure applications, such as the boilers used in power plants and oil rigs. 

 

But the good thing about 316 stainless steel is that it is very resistant to rusting.

 

Important elements of the manufacturing process include the selection of alloying elements, as well as the selection of processing methods.

ASTM A167: Composition, Properties, and Equivalent Grades – YAOYI

 

2. Corrosion Resistance

 

AISI 304 Stainless steel  is one of the most commonly used stainless steel, and for good reason: it’s the perfect balance of corrosion resistance and toughness. It’s a great choice for cooking and is one of the most popular types of stainless steel for use in chemical equipment. 

 

There are 3 main grades of 304 stainless steel: 304L is nearly identical to 304, but with slightly more nickel. It’s a little tougher but doesn’t have quite as much corrosion resistance. 304H has a little more nickel but is similar to 304L. It’s slightly tougher but has slightly less corrosion resistance. 304L is the most common grade, with most 304 stainless steel pipe, tubing, and other 304ss parts.

 

AISI 316 Stainless Steel is a type of stainless steel alloy that is composed primarily of 18% chromium and 8% nickel along with small amounts of molybdenum, manganese, carbon, and silicon. Stainless steel 316 is commonly known as 18/8 stainless steel and is a type of stainless steel with a high level of resistance to corrosion. This means it is corrosion-resistant to both acids and bases, and it can be used in applications where higher levels of corrosion resistance are needed.

 

3. Chemical Composition 

Best AISI 321 stainless steel products are available- YAOYI Stainless Steel

Element

304 Stainless Steel

316 Stainless Steel

Cr (Chromium)

18%

16.5 – 18.5 %

Ni (Nickel)

8%

10 – 13 %

Mn (Manganese)

2%

<= 2 %

N (Nitrogen)

0.10%

0.11 %

S (Sulphur)

0.03%

0.03 %

C (Carbon)

0.08%

<= 0.07 %

Si (Silicon)

0.75%

<= 1 %

P (Phosphorus)

0.05%

0.045 %

Mo (Molybdenum)

_

2 – 2.5 %

The molybdenum is added to help with corrosion resistance against chlorides (like sea water and de-icing salts)

 

4. Physical Properties 

Physical Properties 

304 Stainless Steel

316 Stainless Steel

Density

8,000 Kg/m3

8.00 g/cm3

Melting Point

1450 °C

1400°C

Thermal Expansion

17.2 x 10-6 /K

0.74 x 10-6 Ω.m

Modulus of Elasticity

193 GPa

193 GPa

Thermal Conductivity

16.2W/m.K

16.3 W/m.K

Electrical Resistivity

0.072 x 10-6 Ω .m

0.74 x 10-6 Ω.m

5. Mechanical Properties 

Mechanical Properties

304 Stainless Steel

316 Stainless Steel

Comprehensive Strength

210 MPa

170 – 310 Mpa

Proof Stress

210 Min MPa

240 Min MPa

Tensile Strength

520 – 720 MPa

530 – 680 MPa

Elongation

45 Min%

40 Min %

6. Weldability 

 

Stainless Steel 304 has good weldability and is used for applications requiring high strength and durability, such as welded jointing, bolts, and fittings. 

 

Stainless steel 304 is a low carbon steel that is not magnetic and is used to make parts that are welded. Stainless steel 304 has a chromium content of 0.15-0.40% and has a low content of nickel.

 

When it comes to welding stainless steel, 316 is one of the most widely used and popular grades of stainless steel. While it is one of the softer grades of stainless steel, it is also one of the most commonly used grades not only in the welding context but in a range of applications in industries such as medical, food and beverage, pharmaceutical, chemical and petrochemical intermediates, and building materials.

AISI 316L & AISI 316: Everything You Need To Know – Yaoyi stainless steel

 

7. Workability 

 

Made from the finest YAOYI Stainless steel manufacturing 304 grade Stainless steel, this stainless steel foil is ideal for all your household needs.  

 

This stainless steel foil can be used for cooking, packaging,  and lots of other applications.  It also withstands high temperatures and lasts longer than most other stainless steel materials.  It doesn’t just look great, this stainless steel is also very functional.

 

On the other hand, The stainless steel 316 is often touted for its flexibility, and in the right hands it can be a versatile material. The 316 stainless steel’s flexible element makes it easy to work with, and it can be made thinner than its smaller counterparts. 

 

The S316 steel can also be used for a wide range of projects and industries, and it’s often used to make jewelry and watches.

 

8. Heat Treatment

 

The heat treatment of the Stainless Steel 316 is not as hard as the Stainless Steel 304, so it is a better choice for different applications. 

 

The grade of Stainless Steel 316 is widely used for many household appliances, such as MOLYBDENUM alloys, PVD coating, and as a metal construction material.

Read more:difference between Stainless Steel 316 and Stainless Steel 316l

What are the Applications of Aisi 304 and 316？

Stainless steel is a very versatile material that can be used to make a wide variety of materials and products as it is resistant to corrosion and various other environmental stress factors, making it a very important material in modern day manufacturing and construction.

 

AISI 304 Stainless steel manufactured by the YAOYI group is an ideal stainless steel, it’s a very common stainless steel used in many industries. AISI Stainless steel 304 is a stainless steel with a high chemical resistance, corrosion resistance, and high strength. 

 

This stainless steel is more commonly used for cutting tools than for stainless steel kitchen appliances. It is a kind of stainless steel in a high-carbon, low- alloy content. This material is widely used in technical fields such as machinery, marine equipment, household appliances, medical technology, and chemical weapons.

 

AISI 316 Stainless Steel is a medical grade stainless steel. It is typically used for surgical implants and is widely used in orthopedics and dentistry. In particular, it is used for the fixation of the hip, knee, and shoulder, as well as implantable screws in the spine. 

 

The main difference between Stainless Steel 316 and many other types of stainless steel is that stainless steel 316 is a ferritic stainless steel, which does not have the corrosion resistant properties of austenitic stainless steels.

 

(Did you know ? 316 stainless steel is used for the internal structure of the Apple Watch Edition. The stainless steel used for the Apple Watch Edition is the same stainless steel used for the Apple Watch Sport, but it is treated differently. In the Apple Watch, the stainless steel is anodized, which must first be done to remove any oxygen from the metal prior to cutting or forming. In the Apple Watch Edition, the stainless steel is stainless steel that has been machined to the desired specification.)

 

Try for free information about the Aisi 304 stainless steel: the best you can find & purchase – Yaoyi

How good is AISI 304 and 316?

AISI maintains more than 400 technical committees and subcommittees, which set standards for specific grades of iron and steel, such as mild steel, high-strength low-alloy steel, and stainless steel. 

 

AISI has also been involved in setting industry-wide standards for the production and packaging of ferrous and non-ferrous products, which have implications for food safety, quality, and distribution.

Keep reading:A complete guide to SUS 304 stainless steel 

Is Aisi Stainless Steel Suitable For Outdoor Use?

Stainless Steel is a robust and durable material that is great for a variety of applications from kitchens, to cars, to outdoor furniture. 

 

But what about when it comes to outdoor use? Is Stainless Steel suitable for outdoor use? We at YAOYI Stainless Steel Manufacturing have done the research and can confidently say yes.

 

The reason why stainless steel doesn’t rust is because it is coated in a protective layer of chromium.

Get it now:A Complete Guide to SUS Stainless Steel Banding 

Is Aisi Stainless steel Rustproof?

Aisi stainless steel is a non-ferrous metal, and as such it will not rust. However, it is possible for a stainless steel surface to develop a thin layer of oxides, which, in turn, forms a far more durable oxide coating. The reason for this is that the oxide layer is formed from a combination of two relatively heavier elements, oxygen and iron.

Read more about A Complete Guide to SUS Stainless Steel Banding  

How Can I Tell If My Aisi Stainless Steel is 304 or 316?

Stainless steel is great for a number of different applications, but it’s important to know if you are buying a pure Aisi 304 or 316 version. 

 

For one, 316 is a higher quality version, while 304 contains less nickel. That being said, it’s hard to tell what grade a supplier is shipping. You will simply have to look for a stamp of grade on the package.

Try for free information about the A Complete Guide to Stainless Steel AISI 420  

Aisi 304 Or 316- Which is better?

You may be wondering which is better stainless steel, Aisi 304 or 316?

 

Our answer will be, it will always depend on the application that you will be working on.

 

You can contact us to know more about our products and let our experts give you very helpful advice.

Keep reading: A Complete Guide to Stainless Steel AISI 4140  

Conclusion

Here at YAOYI stainless steel manufacturing, we offer our membership a wide variety of services including, but not limited to: trade show services, educational seminars, seminars on our products, and provided training on the latest technology. 

 

We also have a wide variety of connections to all industries that require iron and steel products.

Read on:AISI 430 Stainless Steel