Stainless Steel 316 vs 321 vs 904L vs 2205 vs 304: Which Is Better?

Many of our customers have such a question – stainless steel 316 vs 321 vs 904L vs 2205 vs 304: which is better? In fact, although 304 stainless steel has been widely used in many applications and has good performance, depending on different needs, some stainless steel grades such as stainless steel 316, 321, 904L, and 2205 can provide higher characteristics and performance. The following are the specific properties and application areas of stainless steel 316, 321, 904L, and 2205.

Stainless Steel 316 vs 321 vs 904L vs 2205 vs 304: Which Is Better?

1. 316 stainless steel: 316 stainless steel is one of the most commonly used materials to replace 304 stainless steel. It contains more nickel and molybdenum, making it superior in terms of corrosion resistance, chloride resistance, and high-temperature performance. Therefore, 316 stainless steel is commonly used in marine environments, chemical plants, and high-temperature applications.
2. 321 stainless steel: 321 stainless steel has higher heat resistance and oxidation resistance. It adds titanium to form stable titanium carbide, which prevents the formation of chromium compounds at high temperatures, thereby improving corrosion resistance. Therefore, 321 stainless steel is often used in high-temperature equipment, furnace tubes, heat exchangers, and other fields.
3. 904L stainless steel: 904L stainless steel has excellent corrosion resistance, especially under strongly acidic conditions. It contains higher nickel and molybdenum content and adds copper element, making it highly resistant to sulfuric acid, chloride and other strongly acidic media. Therefore, 904L stainless steel is commonly used in chemical, marine, pharmaceutical and other fields.
4. 2205 duplex stainless steel: 2205 stainless steel is a duplex stainless steel with good corrosion resistance and mechanical properties. It consists of ferrite and austenite phases, with high strength and superior resistance to stress corrosion cracking. Therefore, 2205 stainless steel is often used in applications such as marine engineering, oil and gas industries that require high strength and corrosion resistance.

These stainless steel grades all have their own advantages and characteristics, and the appropriate material can be selected based on specific application requirements. When selecting a grade to replace 304 stainless steel, factors such as corrosion resistance, mechanical properties, temperature requirements, and cost should be considered comprehensively.

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 316 vs 321 vs 904L vs 2205 vs 304. If you want to find more information about stainless steel 316, 321, 904L, 2205, and 304, we would advise you to visit Sino Stainless Steel for more information.

As a leading supplier of stainless steel products across the world, Sino Stainless Steel provides our customers with high-quality stainless steel strips, stainless steel coils, stainless steel plates, stainless steel sheets, and stainless steel bars at an extremely competitive price.