Choosing the Right Stainless Steel Grade

Did you know that there are five families of stainless steel? The most commonly used family is austenitic. This is due in large part to grades 304 and 316—among the most widely used across the world—falling within this family. In Texas, these grades are found in everything from food trucks to freight cars.

These grades of stainless steel exhibit:

• Excellent weldability

• Good formability

• Good market availability—and available in a wide range of dimensions, product forms and surface finishes

Here is a closer look at 304 and 316 stainless steel (as well as a few other commonly used grades within the austenitic family):

304

As the most widely used of all stainless steel grades, 304 is most notably present in industrial applications and kitchen equipment.

304 stainless steel is a heat-resistant grade, offering good corrosion resistance to many chemical corrodents, as well as industrial atmospheres. 304 stainless steel also exhibits good formability, meaning it can be readily welded by all common methods.

There is also 304L, which is an extra low carbon variation. This variation offers the same corrosion resistance as 304, but with slightly lower mechanical properties.

316

When it comes to 316 stainless steel, this grade is more resistant to corrosion and pitting than 304. It also offers higher strength at elevated temperatures compared with 304. Like 304 stainless steel, an extra low carbon variation of 316 is available, called 316L. This stainless steel grade helps avoid carbide precipitation due to welding.