After 304, 316 is the most popular, and it stands out from the crowd because of its top-notch corrosion resistance. This gives it a one-up over the previously mentioned stainless steel types, whether you’re using it in a building or subjecting it to marine environments. It has the expected mixture of 16–18% chromium, 10–14% nickel, and a small percentage of carbon, but it uniquely includes about 2–3% of molybdenum.
When it comes to choosing 316 stainless steel, you’ll notice that it, too, has its own grading system, including F, H, L, and N versions, which point to lower and higher carbon concentrations (L and H) and great machinability and high nitrogen (F and H). At Juize, in addition to machining and laser cutting stainless steel 316L, we can also 3D print it via direct metal laser sintering (DMLS).
316 is made in an almost identical fashion to 18/8 and 304, except the ingredients vary every so slightly. On top of the nickel, chromium, and carbon, you’ll also mix in molybdenum and very small amounts of manganese, silicon, and occasionally nitrogen. Manufacturers will watch the amounts like a hawk to ensure this correct composition is maintained so they can reap the benefits that 316 provides. Like 304 and 18/8, it’ll get melted down and then molded and processed.