Stainless Steel Applications and a Pipe Grade Comparison

Stainless steel pipe has an exceptionally wide range of applications, and you can find it in almost every industry. It is used in kitchen equipment, shipbuilding, industrial machinery, and automotive components. Stainless steel pipe is also used in the aerospace industry. Because the material is so durable, it is a frequent choice in the manufacture of these kinds of products.

Where Stainless Steel Is Used

Despite its broad range of uses, there are also applications where a given stainless steel simply will not perform. What determines this is the grade. That is why it is essential to make the right selection for each application. For example, installing grade 304 where grade 316 is actually required will do more harm than good, and it will also generate unnecessary costs. The right grade must be matched to the right application. So which grade belongs where? If you are facing questions like this, the comparison of the most commonly used stainless steels below will help.

Stainless Steel Pipe Grade Comparison

• 303 Stainless Steel: Grade 303 has essentially the same properties as grade 304. The key difference is that sulfur is added to grade 303. The added sulfur improves machinability and helps the chips break cleanly. However, because sulfur reduces corrosion resistance, grade 303 falls behind grade 304 in that respect.

• 304 Stainless Steel: This is the most widely used stainless steel. It contains 8% nickel and 18% chromium, which give it its high quality. For that reason it is frequently used in the kitchenware industry for cutlery and similar products. It does have limits, however, and is not suitable for highly corrosive environments.

• 304L Stainless Steel: The difference in carbon content is what sets 304 and 304L apart. Because 304L contains less carbon than 304, it resists corrosion more effectively.

• 316 Stainless Steel: The popular 316 series offers higher quality than the lower grades, which is why it has become indispensable to many industries. It is further divided into two variants, 316L and 316Ti.

• 316L Stainless Steel: With a lower carbon content than grade 316, the 316L series provides particularly effective corrosion resistance.

• 316Ti Stainless Steel: This series takes its "Ti" designation from the titanium in its composition. The titanium content gives the material improved resistance to wear.

• 310 Stainless Steel: Its nickel and chromium content gives this series excellent resistance to high temperatures. It withstands temperatures of up to around 1,000 degrees while also offering good rust resistance.