What Grade Of Stainless Steel Will Not Rust
Previously we talked about how stainless is the perfect material for any kitchen sink. Not only that but stainless steel is actually a really good material for a variety of things that we use in our daily life. It is very important that the stainless steel material we use at our homes or for the things that we use is of good quality and does not rust easily.
Stainless steel can obviously rust if exposed to air for a long time. Extreme weather conditions can make your object to be rusted very soon. However, if you use a good quality stainless steel the rusting process will definitely slow down and your item will go a really long way. For example the stainless steel used to make the kitchen sinks can last up to 30 years. Imagine what would happen if you use a low grade stainless steel, your money will be wasted and of course your items too will be damaged. This is why only the best kind of stainless steel should be used. It will go a long way and would obviously save your time as well.
The Best Kind Of Stainless Steel
If you’re into this business and if you’re exploring your options, this is just the right topic for you. We all know about stainless steel and how it is just the perfect material for anything.
What we don’t know is that stainless steel has classes and types. It is important that we select the right one and according to the thing we have to get made. It depends entirely on what you’re getting made or what the stainless steel is used for.
There are two types of stainless steels that are really good and are corrosion resistant. First one is stainless steel grade 304, this is austenitic. This is the most commonly used stainless steel in industries, homes, restaurants and factories because of its durability and resistance properties towards the atmosphere. It offers resistance towards heat, water and other corrosive items. This makes it a very much preferable for the manufacture of items.
Common Uses For 304 Grade Stainless Steel
- Storage tanks
- Fasteners and finishing hardware (screws, nuts, bolts, plates, handles)
- Pots and pans
- Residential sinks and sink parts
- Indoor architectural/decorative hardware (panels, sculptures, sconces)
- Equipment tubing
- Residential appliances
Stainless Steel Grade 316
Another stainless steel that we are going to talk about is stainless steel grade 316. It is the second most common type of steel that is used. It has almost the same chemical and mechanical properties as 304 grade steel. The most obvious and great difference between the two grades of steel is that steel grade 316 has 2 to 3 percent more molybdenum. This increases it’s resistance capacity. This means it is more likely to tolerate corrosion as compared to stainless steel grade 304. This is why it is the second most common used stainless steel.
This stainless steel is used in my industrial applications, factories and much more. Due to its resistance properties and other chemical properties that makes it a lot more durable, it is used widely in surgical equipments as well.
Corrosion is a natural phenomenon that occurs only with natural materials. Stainless steel is likely to corrode once it reacts with the environment. This is why Stainless steel is mixed with other elements and compounds to save it from Corrosion. Otherwise it is impossible to use stainless purely for daily purposes because it will react with the environment and rust.
Common Uses For Grade 316 stainless steel grade
- Storage tanks
- Fasteners and finishing hardware (screws, nuts, bolts, plates, handles)
- Pots and pans
- Residential sinks and sink parts
- Indoor architectural/decorative hardware (panels, sculptures, sconces)
- Equipment tubing
- Residential appliances
Which Steel Is better And Why?
We have so far talked about two grades of stainless steels. It is impossible to say that which one is better as both are being used in massive quantities every single day. It is impossible to imagine life with out stainless steel as so many things we use are made out of stainless steel.
Stainless steel grade 316 is widely used because of its used in medical field as well. Since it has 3 to 4 percent of molybdenum in it which stainless steel grade 304 doesn’t, this particular grade becomes more preferred. But without any doubt it could also be said that stainless steel grade 304 is not bad either and is used in a lot of things.
Both are used and both are preferred. 304 stainless steel is the most common type of stainless steel used around the world because of it’s inability to not get rusted very easily.
Same is the case with 316. The presence of molybdenum in it makes it more susceptible to rusting and this is what we need. The vast availability of 304 stainless steel makes it more demanded and preferable.
Stainless steel is a durable and affordable metal that is used for vast variety of purposes.
Qualities of stainless steel
- Strong and sturdy
- Can bear weight
- Does not rust
- Affordable
- Long lasting, can last up to many years
- Very easy to clean
- Very easy to maintain
- Used in a number of things because of its properties
This information about stainless steel could be helpful for all those who are yet to buy something or get something made. With this information you can make the right decision. It is very hard to tell which grade steel is better because both serve the purpose and both are extremely good. It depends on your choice as to which one would you go for. There are so many things and items that are incomplete without stainless steel. It is our every day need and demand.