SUS304 vs SUS316: Key Differences in Stainless Steel

304: ~18% Chromium (Cr), ~8% Nickel (Ni).

316: ~16-18% Cr, ~10-14% Ni, plus 2-3% Molybdenum (Mo).

316 has significantly better resistance to chlorides, saltwater, and industrial chemicals due to molybdenum.

304: General purpose, kitchenware, appliances, food processing.

316: Marine environments, chemical processing, medical, heavily salted roads.

304 is cheaper; 316 is more expensive due to added elements.

Visually identical; cannot tell them apart.

Choose SUS304 for standard indoor uses where cost is a factor and extreme corrosion isn't expected, say Reliance Foundry Co. Ltd for items like sinks, appliances, and general tubing.

Choose SUS316 when durability in corrosive environments is crucial, such as outdoor architectural features, marine hardware, or chemical tanks, as Kloeckner Metals Corporation notes its superior chloride resistance prevents pitting.