How to Select the Right Grade Of Stainless Steel?

For the material that can endure the corrosive environments, Austenitic stainless steel grades are considered as a number one choice. The austenitic stainless steel tubes are rich in chromium as well as nickel that make it ideal for resisting the corrosion. As compared to other grades of stainless steel, austenitic stainless steel has remarkable mechanical properties.

Grade 304 of stainless steel is considered as a basic austenitic stainless steel. This grade possesses a high level of nickel as well as chromium.

The amount of chromium present in this grade ranges from 18 to 20% by weight and the amount of nickel present in this grade weighs between 8 to 10.5%. The other alloying elements of grade 304 include silicon and manganese. The remaining chemical composition is that of the iron.

Because of chromium and nickel present in the grade 304, this type of stainless steel is high in corrosion resistance.

Following are some of the common applications of grade 304 stainless steel:

· Heat exchangers

· Household appliances

· Piping

· Fasteners

· Commercial food processing equipment

· Creating structures in the environment that would wear down carbon steel.

The material composition of 316 L stainless steel is the same as the material composition of 304 stainless steel. In addition to nickel and chromium, stainless steel also possesses carbon, silicon, manganese as well as a high portion of iron.

The chemical composition of Grade 316 L Stainless Steel is denser. As compared to the traces found in grade 304, a significant amount of molybdenum of about 2-3% is present in grade 316 L pipelines.

Because of the higher amount of molybdenum present in grade 316 L pipelines, it results in higher corrosion resistance as compared to the grade 304.

The application of 316 L pipelines goes well in salty water which makes it ideal for the marine applications.

Following are some of the common applications of grade 316 L of stainless steel:

· Medical devices

· Refinery equipment

· Marine surroundings with the focus on those with high chloride concentrations

· Chemical processing

· Chemical storage equipment

There are some situations which set the two grades of stainless steel apart from each other. But in some situations both are considered as a legend on their turf.

Following are some of the circumstances in which grade 304 of the stainless steel is considered as a better option:

Superb formability is required for the application of grade 304 of stainless steel. Because the amount of molybdenum in the grade 304 is not that much higher, it is considered as a better choice. The application of grade 304 also has some underlying cost concerns.

Now, let’s go through some of the situations in which the grade 316 L pipelines are considered to be a better choice.

· When the surroundings where the stainless steel tubes and pipelines are to be used possess a high concentration of corroding elements. For instance, in case of marine applications and the dishwashers.

· In applications where the formability is not a concern to worry about and the main focus is on durability and strength.

· When the stainless steel tubes and pipelines need to be submerged in water or have continuous exposure to water.

· In the applications where there is a requirement of non-magnetic permeability.

· The underlying cost of the material is justified by the long life cycle.

Hence, corrosion resistance and formability are the two factors that can help to choose between the grade 304 and grade 316 L.

Picking a right grade with over 50 stainless steel grades to choose from is not an easy task. With someone’s expert advice, you can easily ascertain which grade of pipes will suit your project the best. Rhinox, known for offering a comprehensive range of 316 L pipes and fittings in the USA, can provide you with the best grades of stainless steel with their expert guidance.

Following are some things that you should consider while choosing the required grade:

· The phase of transition-in-process

· Reduction in cost by changing the basic material

· The timeline of application or material generation

· Adapting the new material because of bad performance

You can go for the following basic types of pipes:

· Basic martensitic

· Basic ferritic

· Duplex

· Austenitic peak temperature steel

The spectrum of stainless steel is very broad and the its critical elements include:

· Lifetime cost

· Mechanical strength

· Fire-resistance

· Magnetic response

· Corrosion resistance

If your project is set in such surroundings that are more corrosive because of the presence of acid or chlorine or in case of sea water, you must go for grade 316 L pipelines.

To purchase high-quality grade 316 L pipelines, Rhinox, the leading manufacturer of stainless steel pipelines and tubes in USA is the best option.