"Just make it out of stainless steel." We hear this every day. But specifying "stainless steel" without a grade is like asking for "a car" without specifying if you need a Ferrari or a Ford F-150.
Choosing the wrong grade can either double your material cost unnecessarily or lead to catastrophic corrosion failures in the field.
The Big Three: 304, 316, and 430
SS 304 (The Standard)
The "workhorse" of the industry. Good corrosion resistance, excellent formability.
- Kitchen Appliances
- Indoor Enclosures
- Auto Parts
SS 316 (The Premium)
Contains Molybdenum for superior resistance to salt and chlorides.
- Marine Hardware
- Medical Devices
- Chemical Processing
SS 430 (The Budget)
Ferritic stainless. Magnetic. Lower cost, lower corrosion resistance.
- Decorative Trim
- Indoor Panels
- Magnetic Parts
Selection Matrix
| Feature | SS 304 | SS 316 | SS 430 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Relative Cost | Base (1.0x) | High (1.4x) | Low (0.75x) |
| Corrosion Resistance | Good | Excellent | Fair |
| Deep Drawability | Excellent | Good | Poor |
| Magnetic? | No (mostly) | No | Yes |
The "Hidden" Cost of 316
Many engineers specify 316 "just to be safe." But for a stamped part, the cost difference isn't just the material price per pound.
Warning: SS 316 work-hardens faster than 304. This means it wears out stamping dies 20-30% faster, increasing your tooling maintenance costs.
Still Unsure?
Tell us your application environment (e.g., "outdoor near ocean" or "indoor electronics"), and we'll recommend the most cost-effective grade.
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