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Stainless steel plates are available in various thicknesses and tolerances to cater to different requirements. Central Steel & Wire carries stainless steel plate in 304, 304L, 316, 316L, 304H, 409, 201LN, and 2205.
Among the most commonly used grades, and part of the austenitic family of stainless steel, 304 stainless steel and 316 stainless steel have some distinct characteristics that set them apart from each other.
304 stainless steel plate is a heat-resistant grade and offers good corrosion resistance to many chemical corrodents, as well as industrial atmospheres. 304 stainless steel plate can be readily welded by all common methods due to its good formability.
As an extra low carbon variation, 304L stainless steel plate contains characteristics that help it avoid harmful carbide precipitation due to welding. This variation offers the same corrosion resistance as 304 stainless steel plate but with slightly lower mechanical properties.
You will most commonly see 304 stainless steel plate in industrial applications and kitchen equipment.
316 stainless steel plate is more resistant to corrosion and pitting than 304 stainless steel plate. It also offers higher strength at elevated temperatures. As a result, you will most commonly see 316 stainless steel plate in such applications as pumps, valves, textile and chemical equipment, pulp & paper and marine applications.
In addition, 316L stainless steel sheet is an extra low carbon variation that helps avoid carbide precipitation due to welding.
When comparing 304 stainless steel plate to 316 stainless steel plate, it comes down to a variation in the alloying elements. Along with chromium, both grades include nickel, manganese, and molybdenum which make them good for corrosion resistance, strength, welding, and heat resistance. However, 316 stainless steel plate gets the slight edge in all these categories due to variation in alloying elements.