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Stainless steel 304 and 316 are commonly used materials in kitchen appliances such as stainless steel pots, rice cookers, air fryers, spoons, stainless steel chopsticks, cooking utensils, etc. Which is the better choice? Find out in this Mytour article!
1. Understanding Inox 304
Inox 304, also known as Austenitic stainless steel, is the most widely used type in everyday life.
The main components of Inox 304 are Chromium alloy (containing 18% to 20%) and Nickel (containing about 8% - 11%). The high nickel content provides 304 steel with corrosion resistance properties.
Exploring the Uses of Inox 304: Its Versatility in Various Fields
Advantages and disadvantages of stainless steel 304
Advantages
- Stainless steel 304 has high hardness compared to regular steel
- Stainless steel 304 has high corrosion resistance, unaffected in contact with various chemicals. With this characteristic, it has been widely used in industries, food processing, household appliances, etc.
- Another outstanding advantage of this type of stainless steel is its good heat resistance, easy to process, and low production cost.
Household appliances are often made of stainless steel 304
Disadvantages
Although stainless steel 304 has high corrosion resistance, in specific environments such as seawater, environments with high acidity, this type of stainless steel is prone to corrosion and discoloration over time.
2. What is Stainless Steel 316?
Stainless Steel 316 is also known as SuperAustenitic stainless steel. Stainless Steel 316 has mainly Chromium and Nickel as its components but also contains an additional 2% Molybdenum.
In addition to standard Stainless Steel 316, there are also variations: Stainless Steel 316-L (low carbon content type) and Stainless Steel 316-H (high carbon content type).
Stainless Steel 316 contains an additional rare metal, Molybdenum.
Advantages and disadvantages of stainless steel 316
Advantages
Stainless steel 316 shares similar properties with stainless steel 304, but stainless steel 316 has better corrosion resistance, especially against acids and alkalis. It has a shinier appearance due to the presence of 2% Molybdenum, which stainless steel 304 lacks.
In harsh environmental conditions such as seawater, acids, alkalis, chemicals, stainless steel 316 is less prone to corrosion compared to stainless steel 304. Therefore, stainless steel 316 is utilized in the production of medical equipment, machinery, petroleum industry, etc.
Applications of stainless steel 316
Disadvantages
Despite stainless steel 316 having many notable advantages, it still has some drawbacks:
+ The manufacturing cost is high.
+ The higher melting point compared to stainless steel 304 results in larger product shaping expenses.
+ Lower tensile strength compared to stainless steel 304.
3. Should you buy household items made of stainless steel 304 or 316?
Whether to purchase household items made of stainless steel 304 or 316 depends on the usage needs and economic conditions of each family. If your family only uses them for daily meals and wants to save costs, then stainless steel 304 is a good choice. However, if you use them in harsh environments like acidic conditions, seawater, etc., then stainless steel 316 is preferable.
Above is the article providing insights into whether to buy household items made of stainless steel 304 or 316. We hope that through the information shared by Mytour, you will gain a better understanding of these two types of stainless steel and make an appropriate choice.
