The Difference in the Hardness of 304 and 316 Stainless Steel Pipes

In the stainless steel family, 304 and 316 stainless steel pipes are highly favored for their excellent performance. However, there have been some doubts about the differences in their hardness. So, is there a significant difference in the hardness of 304 and 316 stainless steel pipes? This article will answer this question through comparative analysis and help you understand the specific differences in hardness between the two.

Is There Any Difference in the Hardness of 304 and 316 Stainless Steel Pipes:

There is almost no difference in the hardness of 304 and 316 stainless steel pipes.

However, the corrosion resistance of 316 is better than that of 304. 316 is a molybdenum-containing stainless steel. When the concentration of sulfuric acid is lower than 15% and higher than 85% under high-temperature conditions, 316 stainless steel also has good chloride erosion resistance. And the factors related to the high and low Rockwell hardness of stainless steel are also due to the following processes:

 

1. 1. The stress generated during the process of rolling, folding, etc. may affect the hardness of the product, as well as the solution treatment.

1. 1. The most important thing is the material of the product itself.

1. 1. The annealing control directly affects the hardness.

1. 1. Grain size is related to the structure.

1. 1. Meanwhile, products from different manufacturers are also different.

On the whole, 316 stainless steel is better than 304 stainless steel in terms of corrosion resistance, but the price is also higher. In construction requirements, if strength and toughness are required, 316 stainless steel pipes can be selected. If more hardness is required, 304 stainless steel pipes can be selected.

The following are application directions for 316 and 304 stainless steel pipes:

The resistance to chloride pitting corrosion of 316 stainless steel pipe in the marine chemical industry environment is superior to that of 304 stainless steel.

304 stainless steel pipe is a widely used chromium-nickel stainless steel pipe with good corrosion resistance, heat resistance, low-temperature strength, and mechanical properties. The hardness of 304 stainless steel pipe is usually between Brinell hardness and Rockwell hardness, with good thermal processing properties such as stamping and bending, and corrosion resistance in the atmosphere. In engineering construction, 304 stainless steel pipe can be used in food processing, medical equipment, architectural decoration, chemical industry, and other fields.

304 stainless steel has a wide range of applications in the medical equipment industry. For example, it can be used in common medical equipment such as infusion racks, stethoscopes, wheelchairs, etc. Due to the need to wipe disinfectant during disinfection, the corrosion resistance of 304 stainless steel products plays a role. In addition, 304 stainless steel can also be used for important medical equipment such as surgical table supports.

Both 304 stainless steel pipe and 316 stainless steel pipe have high hardness, but 316 stainless steel pipe has better corrosion resistance and is suitable for marine environments. In architectural decoration construction, 304 stainless steel pipe can be used for interior decoration, furniture, kitchen and bathroom, etc. While 316 stainless steel pipe can be used for architectural decoration, marine equipment, chemical equipment, etc. in marine environments.

It should be noted that when using stainless steel pipes, care should be taken to prevent scratching the surface and avoid using cleaning agents containing chlorides, which can cause damage to the stainless steel pipes.

Conclusion

Thank you for reading our article and we hope it can help you to have a better understanding of the difference in the hardness of 304 and 316 stainless steel pipes. If you want to find more information about stainless steel 304 and 316, we would advise you to visit Sino Stainless Steel.

As a leading supplier of stainless steel products from China, Sino Stainless Steel offers customers high-quality stainless steel pipes, stainless steel strips, stainless steel coils, stainless steel plates, stainless steel sheets, stainless steel bars, and stainless steel tubes at an extremely competitive price.