Choose a stainless steel grade based on corrosion, temperature, strength, environment, welding and application requirements.
Enter your requirements and click Select Stainless Steel Grades.
Recommendations will appear here.
| Grade | Type | Key Characteristics | Typical Uses |
|---|---|---|---|
| 304 | Austenitic | Good general corrosion resistance, excellent fabrication | Food equipment, tanks, architectural work |
| 304L | Low-carbon austenitic | Good weldability, reduced sensitization risk | Welded equipment and fabrication |
| 316 | Molybdenum austenitic | Better chloride resistance than 304 | Marine, chemical and process equipment |
| 316L | Low-carbon austenitic | Chloride resistance plus improved welded corrosion performance | Marine, pharmaceutical and welded equipment |
| 321 | Ti-stabilized austenitic | Useful for elevated-temperature service | Exhaust systems and high-temperature fabrication |
| 309 | Heat-resistant austenitic | Higher chromium/nickel than 304 | Elevated-temperature equipment |
| 310 | Heat-resistant austenitic | High chromium and nickel, strong oxidation resistance | Furnaces and high-temperature applications |
| 410 | Martensitic | Higher hardness and strength potential | Valves, shafts and wear-resistant parts |
| 430 | Ferritic | Good oxidation resistance and magnetic behavior | Appliances, trim and general fabrication |
| 17-4 PH | Precipitation-hardening | Very high strength after suitable heat treatment | High-strength components and shafts |
Is 316 always better than 304? No. 316 generally has better resistance to chlorides, but 304 is often sufficient for many applications and can be more economical.
Which stainless steel is best for saltwater? 316 and 316L are common choices for moderate chloride exposure, but severe marine environments can require higher-alloy materials depending on temperature, crevices, flow and exposure time.
Which stainless steel is best for welding? 304L and 316L are common choices for welded construction because their low carbon content reduces the risk of sensitization during welding.
Which stainless steel is best for high temperature? 321, 309 and 310 can be candidates depending on temperature and atmosphere. The correct choice depends on actual service conditions rather than temperature alone.
Which stainless steel has the highest strength? 17-4 PH can achieve very high strength after appropriate precipitation-hardening treatment. Martensitic grades can also provide high hardness and strength.
Is stainless steel 304 magnetic? Annealed 304 is generally considered non-magnetic, although cold working can increase its magnetic response.
Is 316 stainless steel magnetic? Annealed 316 is generally non-magnetic, although cold working can produce some magnetic response.
What stainless steel should I use for food equipment? 304 is widely used for general food equipment, while 316/316L may be preferred where chlorides, salts or more aggressive cleaning conditions are involved.
What stainless steel is suitable for chemical service? The answer depends heavily on the exact chemical, concentration, temperature, aeration and exposure conditions. 316L is useful in many applications, but more aggressive environments may require higher-alloy materials.
Can this calculator guarantee that a grade will not corrode? No. All stainless steels can corrode under sufficiently aggressive conditions. The selector is a preliminary screening tool.