Temperature range of Stainless Steel 304 Vs 316

Stainless steel has good strength and good corrosion resistance ability in higher temperature environments. The most searched SS grade is 304 and 316, due to the prominent features it offers to the applications. These grades are extensively used in many application ranges from moderate temperatures to high temperatures such as superheaters, heat exchangers, valves and other heating applications. However, their heat capacities differ from each other that vary its properties.

Temperature range of 304 grades:

SS 304 grade is from the 300 series of austenitic stainless steel modified with controlled carbon chemistry for increased strength up to 1500 deg F. UNS S30400 is a unified numbering system of 304 grades. Generally, it is the modified version of 18/8 chromium and nickel base austenitic alloy. The carbon content present on it about 0.04 % to 10 % that increases its strength above 800 deg F. It is the most cost-effective and versatile alloy suitable for a wide range of applications.

Stainless Steel 304 Tubes has good resistance to atmospheric corrosion and many organic and inorganic compounds in moderately oxidizing to severe reducing conditions. It has the highest chromium content that provides resistance to oxidizing agents such as nitric acids up to 176 deg F temperature.

This grade also opposes harsh organic acids like acetic acids. In addition to the nickel, it offers resistance to moderate reducing solutions like phosphoric acids even in the higher concentration too. This grade can offer service in caustic solutions free of chlorides at nominal temperatures.

The hot working temperature of this grade is between 1652 deg F to 2102 deg F, the same temperature is recommended for the hot working process. In order to acquire maximum corrosion resistance, this grade is subject to the annealing process and quenched with water.

A higher concentration of chlorides, it is susceptible to pitting and crevice corrosion. The high molybdenum content is needed for the successful performance in the most severe conditions.  

Temperature range of 316 grades:

Alloy 316 (UNS S31600) /S31603) is chromium, nickel, and molybdenum austenitic stainless steel. It is designed for improved corrosion resistance in the high temperatures. These are often utilized in the process streams that contain halides and chlorides. In addition to molybdenum, its resistance ability to corrosion and pitting is enhanced. 316 grades provide excellent properties such as stress to rupture strength and tensile strength even in the hoisted temperatures. This grade is weldable with more standard techniques.

These are not corroded in process streams. SS 316 performs well in sulfur-containing environments such as that encountered in industries. This alloy can be utilized in higher concentrations at temperatures up to 120 deg F.

The working temperatures of this alloy are ranging from 1700 deg F to 2200 deg F. These are also subject to the hot working process at the same temperatures. The annealing process is performed at 1900 deg F to acquire higher corrosion resistance. These are also quenched with water.

So, these are the temperature ranges of stainless steel 304 and 316. Choose one as per your application suitability.

Know the Importance of SS 304 pipes

We all know that stainless steel is considered the world’s most versatile material which has today become an indispensable part of a wide range of industries.  It mainly comprises of steel alloy and a certain amount of chromium content.  The addition of this content into the steel alloy offers high resistance to corrosion. Hence, this trait has made stainless steel popular in the industrial market.  Since, it has low maintenance, oxidation resistance it does not affect other material and metals when it comes in contact with them. There are several types and grades in which stainless steel is available and is widely used for making products like pipes.

Today, here in this article we will talk about the Stainless Steel 304 pipes and its importance in various industries. so let’s get in deep and know the importance of this popular grade in detail from the below-mentioned article.

About SS 304 pipes

Grade 304 is basically a standard “18/8” stainless steel that is considered the most versatile and widely used steel grade. This stainless steel grade is widely used in a comprehensive range of products, finishes, and forms. The grade has excellent welding and forming features which makes it suitable for manufacturing products like pipes. However, the balanced austenitic structure of this grade enables it to severely deep drawn without any intermediate annealing which in turn make this grade dominant for manufacturing pipes of high quality.

The grade can be rolled or broke into a wide variety of components and industrial applications. It has excellent welding features and post-weld annealing is not required when you are welding thin sections. The grade is mainly defined as chromium and nickel-based austenitic alloy and there are several manufacturers available offering a wide range of SS 304 pipes.

These pipes are considered important applications that are used for high-temperature services. The reputed manufacturers provide these 304 pipes of high quality to their customers while keeping their diverse range of demands and requirements. The pipes are available to customers in different shapes, sizes, and specifications. Furthermore, the pipes display fantastic corrosion resistance in a wide range of destructive situations.

These SS 304 pipes have several good features which make these SS 304 pipes important. The features offered include good dimensional accuracy, high tensile strength, anti-corrosive, rugged construction, weldability, durability and more. These pipes can even withstand high temperature and heavy load due to good surface finishing. The pipes even have good stress corrosion cracking, crevice and pitting corrosion resistance ability.

When these SS 304 pipes are manufactured international quality of the material is used that is well inspected by the quality inspectors. In addition to the raw material latest machines and advanced technologies are used for creating accurate shape and size of pipes. On the other hand, these pipes even come across various testing processes that help in checking the quality and performance of these pipes.

The pipes are then provided to customers with several documentations like QAP guarantee letter, raw material test report and more. Along with this SS 304 pipes are packed in pallets or wooden crates and delivered worldwide.