SS 304 vs SS 316: quick comparison
| Property | SS 304 | SS 316 |
|---|---|---|
| Main alloying | About 18% Cr, 8% Ni | About 16 to 18% Cr, 10 to 14% Ni, 2 to 3% Mo |
| Corrosion resistance | Good, general purpose | Better, especially chlorides and acids |
| Typical cost | Lower | Higher |
| Common uses | Food and dairy, railings, kitchen, furniture, water lines | Marine, chemical, pharma, coastal structures |
| Low-carbon version | 304L | 316L |
Where to use each grade
- Choose SS 304 for kitchens, dairies, handrails, indoor piping, furniture and general fabrication.
- Choose SS 316 for seawater, salt-laden air, chemical plants, pharmaceutical lines and where cleaning chemicals contain chlorides.
Seamless vs welded stainless pipe
Seamless pipe has no weld seam and is preferred for high pressure, high temperature and critical process lines. Welded pipe is economical and widely used for decorative, structural and low-pressure service. Compare our SS seamless pipes and SS round pipes.
How to order
Provide the grade, standard, outside diameter, thickness or schedule, length, finish and quantity. Ask for a mill test certificate if your project requires it.
Need these in stock?Share size, thickness and quantity for a quotation.