Below, we’ve listed some of the benefits that come with using 304 stainless steel:
- It has a higher tensile strength than 316.
- It can be used for everything from cookware and water piping to medical devices.
- Its cost is lower, especially if corrosion resistance isn’t a top priority for you.
There are also a few downsides to using 304 stainless steel, which we’ve mentioned below:
- It has okay corrosion resistance thanks to the chromium in its composition, which forms a protective layer of sorts against oxygen diffusion, but it suffers in marine environments.
- It can handle heat pretty well, but after 425 ℃ it’s prone to corroding.
- It’s softer, and so it doesn’t excel when it comes to scratch resistance—keep this in mind if you’re after a stainless steel that won’t show marks.
- Both extreme heat and cold can lead to its demise and speed up corrosion.
