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Both 304 (SS 304) and 316 (SS 316) belong to the austenitic stainless steel family,are widely utilized materials in various industries due to their excellent mechanical properties and corrosion resistance, sharing similar compositions, primarily consisting of chromium and nickel.

304 stainless steel is a standard austenitic stainless steel, belongs to the “18-8” stainless steel family, containing about 18% chromium and 8% nickel. It is the most widely used grade of stainless steel and is known for its good corrosion resistance, formability and weldability.

304 and 316 stainless steels each have their features. Grade 316 offers superior corrosion resistance (especially to chlorides) and higher strength, but at a significant price premium. Grade 304 is more cost-effective for general use and still highly corrosion-resistant in non-aggressive environments.The best choice depends on the application conditions.

Due to its austenitic structure, 316 stainless steel is usually non-magnetic in standard annealed form, but will exhibit weak magnetism after processes such as cold working or welding.