Stainless Steel Grades 303 and 316

Stainless steel is the most widely used type of steel today. Companies choose it for its long service life and ease of use. One of the main reasons it is used in so many applications is its resistance to corrosion, or wear. Beyond its resistance to rust, it is also chosen for its attractive appearance.

Stainless steel produced to suit specific operating conditions can be shaped according to the customer's requirements. Because it retains its properties even at very high temperatures, it consistently delivers customer satisfaction. Before using these products, however, the intended application must be carefully analyzed; otherwise, the steel may not perform to its full potential.

303 Stainless Steel

This grade is known as the free-machining stainless steel. Among the austenitic stainless steels, 303 stainless steel offers better machinability than any other. Its sulfur content is what makes it so easy to machine, but that same sulfur reduces its corrosion resistance: grade 303 is less corrosion-resistant than grade 304. It belongs to the austenitic group of stainless steels.

This grade is more difficult to produce than others. 303 stainless steel is finished by annealing, and when the annealing is carried out professionally, the material delivers excellent functionality and physical properties. The annealing techniques used in some producing countries are of rather poor quality, and poorly annealed material often causes machining difficulties.

316 Stainless Steel

This grade is derived from 304 stainless steel by adding nickel and, above all, more molybdenum. The resulting grade offers higher corrosion resistance even under demanding conditions. 316 stainless steel also has better tensile strength than grade 304. It is commonly used for storage tanks, vessels holding corrosive liquids, and in the paint, chemical, petrochemical, mining and food processing industries.