The main difference between choosing 304 or 316 stainless steel flanges lies in the material, corrosion resistance, usage environment, and price.
Material and chemical composition
The chemical composition of 304 flange is 06Cr19Ni10, while the chemical composition of 316 flange is 0Cr17Ni12Mo2. 316 flange has an additional molybdenum element (Mo) compared to 304 flange, which makes 316 superior in corrosion resistance.
Corrosion resistance
316 stainless steel contains molybdenum element, therefore it has better corrosion resistance in high temperature and environments containing chloride ions. In contrast, the corrosion resistance of 304 stainless steel is similar to that of 316 in most aqueous media, but 316 performs better in media with high chloride ion content.
Usage environment
Due to its better corrosion resistance, especially in harsh environments such as high temperatures and coastal areas, 316 flanges are more suitable for use in highly corrosive environments such as chemical and seawater. And 304 flanges are commonly used in some equipment in daily life, such as pressure cookers and stainless steel insulated cups.
