The difference in performance between 304 round tube and 316 round tube is mainly reflected in chemical composition, corrosion resistance, mechanical properties, high temperature resistance, application fields and price.
The main difference between 304 round tube and 316 round tube is their chemical composition. 304 round tube is mainly composed of 18% chromium and about 8% nickel, which makes it have good stainless corrosion resistance.
Due to the difference in chemical composition, 316 round tube shows more superior performance in corrosion resistance. Especially in chloride environments, such as seawater or solutions containing chlorides, the corrosion resistance of 316 round tube is significantly better than that of 304 round tube. In addition, 316 round tube can better resist sulfuric acid, chloride and microbial corrosion in seawater. Therefore, in environments that require high corrosion resistance, such as marine equipment, chemical processing fields, etc., 316 round tube is a more ideal choice.
In terms of mechanical properties, 316 round tube usually has higher strength and toughness. This makes 316 round tube more suitable for application in large building structures and high-pressure pipelines. However, 304 round tube is known for its good ductility and deformation ability, and is suitable for occasions that require processing and forming, such as precision instruments, bicycle frames, etc.
In terms of high temperature resistance, although 304 round tube already has good high temperature resistance, the high temperature resistance of 316 round tube has been further improved due to the addition of molybdenum. This allows 316 round tube to maintain good mechanical properties and corrosion resistance in high temperature environments. Therefore, 316 round tube has more advantages in environments with high temperatures or that need to withstand high temperature shocks.
Due to the above performance differences, 304 round tube and 316 round tube are also different in application areas. 304 round tube is widely used in furniture, electronic equipment, kitchen utensils and other fields due to its good stainless corrosion resistance and processing performance. 316 round tube is widely used in fields that require high corrosion resistance and high strength, such as petrochemicals, pharmaceuticals, food processing, shipbuilding, and marine engineering, due to its excellent corrosion resistance and mechanical properties.
In terms of price, 316 round tubes are usually more expensive than 304 round tubes because they contain more alloy elements and have better performance. However, when making a specific choice, it is necessary to weigh it according to actual needs. If the application environment does not require high corrosion resistance and mechanical properties, it may be more appropriate to choose the more affordable 304 round tube.
The performance differences between 304 round tubes and 316 round tubes are mainly reflected in chemical composition, corrosion resistance, mechanical properties, high temperature resistance, application areas, and price. When choosing, it should be comprehensively considered according to the specific application environment and needs. If high corrosion resistance and mechanical properties are required and the budget allows, then 316 round tubes are a better choice; if the application environment is relatively mild and is more sensitive to price, then 304 round tubes are a more economical choice.
