Stainless steelBeginner
Stainless Steel Grade Quick Reference
Performance and application cheat sheet for 304, 316L, 17-4PH, and ferritic grades.
Materials Engineer Zheng2024-11-129 min read7,2344.8
Summary
304 for general corrosion resistance; 316L for chlorides and marine; 17-4PH for heat-treatable strength; 430 for magnetic low-cost applications.
1304 / 304L
Austenitic, low magnetic permeability. General equipment, food service, architecture. L grades improve weld corrosion resistance.
2316 / 316L
Molybdenum improves chloride resistance — marine, pharma, implants. ~15–20% cost premium over 304.
317-4PH
Precipitation hardening to H900 (~1310 MPa UTS). Shafts, valves, aerospace — requires heat treatment.
4430 / 410
430 ferritic magnetic for appliances; 410 martensitic hardenable for blades and valve internals.
Key points
- General environment → 304
- Seawater / chemicals → 316L
- High strength → 17-4PH
- Magnetic needed → 430
- Medical → 316L or implant grade
304316LStainlessSelection
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