Stainless Steel 312 vs 304 – What’s the Difference? 

Stainless steel is a type of steel with corrosion resistance, which is widely used in various fields, such as construction, chemical, food, medical, etc. Different uses require different stainless steel materials, so there are many types of stainless steel, the most common of which are 304 and 312. So, stainless steel 312 vs 304 – what’s the difference? This article will introduce the differences between them from the following aspects：

Stainless Steel 312 vs 304 – What’s the Difference? 

Stainless Steel 312 vs 304 – 1. Classification:

According to the provisions of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), stainless steel can be divided into the following five categories based on its chemical composition and microstructure:

1. Austenitic: containing more than 18% chromium and 8% nickel, with carbon content below 0.08%. It has good corrosion resistance, ductility, and weldability. Both 312 and 304 belong to this category.
2. Martensitic: containing 12%~18% chromium and carbon content higher than 0.1%. It has high strength, hardness, and wear resistance. However, its corrosion resistance is poor.
3. Ferritic: containing 10.5%~30% chromium and carbon content below 0.2%. It has good oxidation resistance and stress corrosion resistance. However, its ductility and weldability are poor.
4. Duplex: containing 18%~28% chromium, 3%~10% nickel, as well as small amounts of molybdenum (Mo) and other elements. It has the dual characteristics of austenite and ferrite, namely high strength and good corrosion resistance.
5. Precipitation-hardening: containing about 17% chromium, 4% nickel, as well as copper, aluminum, titanium, and other alloy elements. It has adjustable strength and hardness, as well as good corrosion resistance.

Stainless Steel 312 vs 304 – 2. Application Range:

The application range of 312 stainless steel and 304 stainless steel is as follows:

1. 312 stainless steel: mainly used in the food industry and surgical equipment, as well as high-temperature and high-pressure applications such as chemical, paper, petroleum, and nuclear power.
2. 304 stainless steel: mainly used in low-temperature and low-pressure applications such as food equipment, general chemical equipment, architectural decoration, household appliances, automotive components, etc.

It can be seen that the application range of 312 stainless steel is wider than that of 304 stainless steel, and it is more suitable for the needs of high-end fields.

Stainless Steel 312 vs 304 – 3. Uses：

The specific uses of 312 stainless steel and 304 stainless steel are as follows:

1. 312 stainless steel: can be used to make various food processing equipment, medical equipment, chemical reactors, heat exchangers, steam pipes, furnace tubes, etc.
2. 304 stainless steel: can be used to make various kitchen utensils, tableware, sinks, faucets, water pipes, water storage tanks, building decoration materials, door and window handles, elevator interiors, etc.

It can be seen that the uses of 312 stainless steel and 304 stainless steel are closely related to people’s daily lives, but 312 stainless steel is more related to food safety and human health.

Stainless Steel 312 vs 304 – 4. Typical Application Scenarios：

The typical application scenarios of 312 stainless steel and 304 stainless steel are as follows:

1. 312 stainless steel: In food processing plants, 312 stainless steel can be used as the material for various tanks, pipelines, valves, and other equipment to ensure food hygiene and quality. In hospitals, 312 stainless steel can be used as the material for surgical instruments to prevent infection and corrosion. In chemical plants, 312 stainless steel can be used as the material for high-temperature and high-pressure reactors and pipelines to resist corrosive media such as strong acids and alkalis.
2. 304 stainless steel: In the home, 304 stainless steel can be used as the material for various kitchen utensils and tableware to ensure food freshness and hygiene. In construction, 304 stainless steel can be used as various decorative materials.

Stainless Steel 312 vs 304 – 5. Typical Application Cases:

1. 312 stainless steel: In China, 312 stainless steel is widely used in the construction of nuclear power plants, such as Qinshan Nuclear Power Plant, Ling’ao Nuclear Power Plant, and Daya Bay Nuclear Power Plant. 312 stainless steel has excellent high-temperature resistance and radiation resistance, and can withstand the high temperature and high pressure of nuclear reactors and intense radiation environment. In the United States, 312 stainless steel is used to manufacture engine components of Boeing 747 aircraft, such as turbine blades and combustion chambers. 312 stainless steel has good heat corrosion resistance and oxidation resistance, and can maintain stable performance during high-speed flight.
2. 304 stainless steel: In China, 304 stainless steel is widely used in the manufacturing of kitchen appliances, such as rice cookers, electric kettles, wok, knives, etc. 304 stainless steel has good acid and alkali resistance and antibacterial properties, which can ensure the hygiene and safety of food. In France, 304 stainless steel is used to construct part of the structure of the Eiffel Tower, such as stairs, railings, observation deck, etc. 304 stainless steel has good weather resistance and aesthetics, which can maintain its luster and stability under various climatic conditions.

From what has been stated above, we can see that the difference between 312 stainless steel and 304 stainless steel is mainly reflected in the following aspects:

1. 312 stainless steel adds more molybdenum than 304 stainless steel, making it more resistant to corrosion and high temperatures.
2. 312 stainless steel is more suitable for high-end applications such as the food industry, medical devices, nuclear power plants, aerospace, and other industries than 304 stainless steel.
3. 312 stainless steel is more expensive than 304 stainless steel, with a price approximately 1.5 to 2 times that of the latter.

Conclusion

Thank you for reading our article and we hope it can help you to have a better understanding of the differences between stainless steel 312 vs 304. If you want to find more information about stainless steel 312 and 304, we would advise you to visit Sino Stainless Steel.

As a leading supplier of stainless steel products across the world, Sino Stainless Steel provides customers with high-quality stainless steel products such as 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.