Summary
- SS 316 is rated better with
- Oxidising agents and halogens (+13 points)
- Within 10 points of each other
- Mineral acids; Organic acids; Alkalis; Salts and salt solutions; Alcohols and glycols; Phenols; Ketones and aldehydes; Esters and ethers; Amines and nitrogen compounds; Aromatic hydrocarbons; Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons; Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils; Halogenated hydrocarbons; Foods and beverages
Points are the difference in the share of rows rated A or B.
The two materials
SS 304
Stainless steel 1.4301 (AISI 304)
Stainless steel 304 (1.4301) resists oxidising acids and most organic chemicals. Chlorides cause pitting and stress-corrosion cracking.
Rated rows: 865. A 88 %, B 5 %, C 2 %, D 5 %
SS 316
Stainless steel 1.4401 (AISI 316)
Stainless steel 316 (1.4401) contains molybdenum, which improves resistance to chlorides over 304. Hydrochloric acid and other halide acids still cause pitting.
Rated rows: 868. A 89 %, B 4 %, C 2 %, D 4 %
Share of rows rated A or B, by chemical class
How often the two ratings agree
Chemical classes were assigned by this site, not by the source. Mixtures and trade products without a clear class are not counted.
By chemical class
| Chemical class | SS 304: rated A or B | SS 316: rated A or B |
|---|---|---|
| Mineral acids | 63 % (60 rows) | 65 % (60 rows) |
| Organic acids | 96 % (53 rows) | 98 % (55 rows) |
| Alkalis | 100 % (22 rows) | 100 % (22 rows) |
| Salts and salt solutions | 93 % (175 rows) | 93 % (175 rows) |
| Oxidising agents and halogens | 66 % (56 rows) | 79 % (57 rows) |
| Alcohols and glycols | 100 % (58 rows) | 100 % (58 rows) |
| Phenols | 100 % (11 rows) | 100 % (11 rows) |
| Ketones and aldehydes | 100 % (33 rows) | 100 % (33 rows) |
| Esters and ethers | 100 % (69 rows) | 100 % (69 rows) |
| Amines and nitrogen compounds | 95 % (38 rows) | 95 % (38 rows) |
| Aromatic hydrocarbons | 100 % (14 rows) | 100 % (14 rows) |
| Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons | 100 % (76 rows) | 100 % (76 rows) |
| Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils | 100 % (48 rows) | 100 % (48 rows) |
| Halogenated hydrocarbons | 88 % (24 rows) | 88 % (24 rows) |
| Foods and beverages | 100 % (46 rows) | 100 % (46 rows) |
Where the ratings differ most
Rows where the two ratings at 20 °C are at least two grades apart: 1 in total.
| Chemical | Concentration | SS 304 | SS 316 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sulfuric Acid | 20 % | D | B |
Rating scale
- A very good resistance
- B good resistance
- C limited resistance
- D not resistant
- – no data
- K no general statement possible
A rating marked * is an estimate in the source, not a test result. An estimate is given as one value without a temperature.
More comparisons
Frequently Asked Questions
Is SS 304 or SS 316 more chemical-resistant?
Of 865 chemicals rated for both materials at 20 °C, SS 304 and SS 316 share the same rating in 831 rows (96 %). SS 304 is rated better in 1 rows and SS 316 in 33 rows.
How do SS 304 and SS 316 compare for chemical resistance?
Based on 865 chemicals tested for both: SS 304 is rated better with –. SS 316 is rated better with Oxidising agents and halogens. They perform similarly with Mineral acids, Organic acids, Alkalis, Salts and salt solutions.
About this data
The ratings come from the chemical resistance list published by Bürkle GmbH, which compiled them from raw-material manufacturers’ data. They describe laboratory tests on the raw material at 20 °C and 50 °C.
A finished part also sees pressure, mechanical stress, welds and mixtures that a laboratory test does not. Treat the rating as a first filter and test under your own conditions before relying on it.