Difference Between 316 and 302 Pipes


What is stainless steel?

As with all steels, stainless steel contains the same basic iron and carbon composition as other steels, but stainless steel also contains a healthy dose of chromium that gives this alloy its salt corrosion resistance fame.

The term stainless steel describes a group of materials with a slightly different alloy composition, which is responsible for the slightly different physical characteristics of each of these materials.

Chromium must be at least 10.5 percent in stainless steel. It may also contain other alloying elements that can be much higher in concentration, such as molybdenum, nickel, titanium, aluminum, copper, nitrogen, phosphorous, or selenium, depending on the grade.

Common stainless steels

Most stainless steels are made from 302 and 316 grade stainless steel. The main difference between the two grades is the addition of molybdenum, which enhances corrosion resistance very significantly in salt- and chloride-exposed environments.

302 Stainless Steel

There are many types of stainless steel, but the most common is 302 stainless steel, which is used worldwide because of its excellent corrosion resistance and low price. It contains between 16 and 24 percent chromium and up to 35 percent nickel, as well as minor amounts of carbon and manganese.

The most commonly used form of 302 stainless steel is 18-8 (18/8) stainless steel. This has an 18 percent chromium content as well as an 8 percent nickel content.

Due to its excellent corrosion resistance and value, 302  is the most common type of stainless steel used throughout the world.

It is widely used in food processing and kitchen applications, and it is also commonly found in buildings, décor, and site furnishings. 302 can withstand corrosion from most oxidizing acids, so it is easy to sanitize.

The 302 ss does have one weakness: it can be corroded by chloride solutions, or by salty environments like the seashore. The corrosion caused by chloride ions can spread beneath protective chromium barriers and compromise internal structures, resulting in pitting. The corrosive effect of sodium chloride can begin as little as 25 parts per million.

316 Stainless Steel

The 316 grade is the second-most commonly used grade of stainless steel. 316 stainless steel is nearly identical to aisi 302 stainless steel in terms of physical and mechanical properties, and contains the same material composition as 302 stainless steel. A key difference is the addition of molybdenum to the 316 stainless steel, which increases corrosion resistance, particularly in the presence of chlorides.

The molybdenum in 316 stainless steel provides resistance to chlorides and other processing chemicals.

Many industrial applications that involve processing chemicals and in high-salt environments such as coastal regions and outdoor areas where deicing salts are used are commonly made of 316 stainless steel. Since 316 stainless steel is non-reactive, medical surgical instruments are also manufactured from it.

In alternative 300-series grades, molybdenum can amount to up to 7 percent. These grades provide better chloride resistance, but such heavy-duty resistance should only be needed in industrial and high concentration exposure conditions.

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