Which one is more cost-effective, 304 or 316?

First, the corrosion resistance is different. The nickel and chromium content of 316 stainless steel is higher than that of 304 stainless steel, and 316 stainless steel contains molybdenum. Under high temperature conditions, when the concentration of sulfuric acid (H2SO4) is lower than 15% and higher than 85%, 316 stainless steel has good chloride resistance. It has excellent corrosion resistance and is also resistant to corrosion from the ocean and corrosive industrial atmosphere. Secondly, the heat resistance is different. The service temperature of 304 stainless steel is below 800°C, and 316 stainless steel can be used continuously below 950°C. It has good oxidation resistance and resistance to chloride ion corrosion, and can be used as heat-resistant steel.

Although the corrosion resistance and high temperature resistance of 316 stainless steel are better than those of 304 stainless steel. However, 304 stainless steel can also be used in some areas where the air contains high salt content, but compared with 316 stainless steel, its service life is slightly inferior and the maintenance cycle is short.

Even though the performance of 316 stainless steel is excellent enough and it is worry-free enough during use, in many cases it is still not recommended that you kill the chicken with a knife. Even in a weakly corrosive environment, as long as the environment is not too harsh, 304 stainless steel is enough to cope with it, and the price is cheaper than 316 stainless steel. In terms of cost performance, 304 stainless steel is the best choice.