Materials / Compare
Stainless 304 vs. Stainless 316
Compare Stainless 304 vs. Stainless 316 strength, stiffness, weight and thermal properties.
| Try it on a partA bracket to run stress or thermal on, free in your browser | Open in LessCAD | Open in LessCAD |
|---|---|---|
| Mechanical | ||
| Yield strength | 241MPasourcetypical, annealed, 70 °F (21 °C) | 265MPasourcetypical (representative), annealed 1.0 mm sheet |
| Ultimate tensile strength | 586MPasourcetypical, annealed, 70 °F (21 °C) | 583MPasourcetypical (representative), annealed 1.0 mm sheet |
| Elongation at break | 55%sourcetypical, annealed, in 2 in. (50.8 mm) | 61%sourcetypical (representative), annealed, in 2 in. (51 mm) |
| Young's modulus (stiffness) | 193GPasourcetypical, in tension | 200GPasourcetypical, in tension |
| Density | 8,030kg/m³sourcetypical | 8,027kg/m³sourcetypical |
| Strength to weight | 30kN·m/kg | 33kN·m/kg10% higher |
| Stiffness to weight | 24MN·m/kg | 24.9MN·m/kg4% higher |
| Poisson's ratio | 0.3sourcedesign value (structural stainless steels) | 0.3sourcedesign value (structural stainless steels) |
| Shear modulus | 74.2GPa | 76.9GPa4% stiffer in shear |
| Bulk modulus | 161GPa | 167GPa |
| Speed of sound | 4,903m/s | 4,992m/s |
| Thermal | ||
| Thermal conductivity | 16.2W/m·Ksourceat 100 °C | 14.6W/m·Ksource20–100 °C |
| Thermal expansion | 16.9µm/m·Ksourcemean, 0–100 °C | 16.5µm/m·Ksourcemean, 20–100 °C |
| 100 mm part over a 50 °C swing | 84.5µm growth | 82.5µm growth2% less |
| Specific heat | 500J/kg·Ksourcemean, 0–100 °C | 450J/kg·Ksourceat 20 °C |
| Heats up and cools (diffusivity) | 4.03mm²/s | 4.04mm²/s |
| Thermal shock resistance | 838W/m2% more resistant | 821W/m |
| Melting point | 1,399–1,454°Csourcemelting range | 1,390–1,440°Csourcemelting range |
| Max service temperature | 899°Csourcecontinuous, oxidation (scaling) limit in air | 871–899°Csourceoxidation (scaling) limit in air |
| Values for | Type 304, annealed flat-rolled (Cleveland-Cliffs 304/304L Product Data Bulletin, May 2021); Poisson's ratio from the Nickel Institute/SCI structural stainless design manual | ATI 316 (UNS S31600), annealed 1.0 mm sheet, ATI technical data sheet (2012); Poisson's ratio from the Nickel Institute/SCI structural stainless design manual |
Every value links to the document that states it. "Not sourced" means no citable source states it (or only a specification minimum); figures computed from it are left out too.
Questions
Is Stainless 304 stronger than Stainless 316?
Stainless 316 is stronger: its yield strength is 265 MPa against 241 MPa for Stainless 304 (10%).
Which is lighter, Stainless 304 or Stainless 316?
Stainless 316 is lighter: 8,027 kg/m³ against 8,030 kg/m³ for Stainless 304.
Which is stiffer, Stainless 304 or Stainless 316?
Stainless 316 is stiffer: Young's modulus 200 GPa against 193 GPa for Stainless 304, so the same part in Stainless 316 deflects less under the same load.
Which is lighter for the same job, Stainless 304 or Stainless 316?
For the same stiffness or strength: Stainless 316 is lighter for a stiff rod or tie (tension), stiff beam (bending), stiff panel or plate, strong rod or tie, strong beam, strong panel or plate.
| Part that must be | Stainless 304 | Stainless 316 |
|---|---|---|
| Stiff rod or tie (tension) | 4% heavier | lighter |
| Stiff beam (bending) | 2% heavier | lighter |
| Stiff panel or plate | 1% heavier | lighter |
| Strong rod or tie | 10% heavier | lighter |
| Strong beam | 7% heavier | lighter |
| Strong panel or plate | 5% heavier | lighter |
For the same stiffness or strength, mass scales with density over stiffness (or strength) raised to a power set by how the part is loaded: 1 for a rod in tension, 1/2 for a beam in bending, 1/3 for a panel (the standard material-selection indices).
Which conducts heat better, Stainless 304 or Stainless 316?
Stainless 304 conducts heat better: 16.2 W/m·K against 14.6 W/m·K for Stainless 316.
Which expands less with temperature?
Stainless 316 expands less: 16.5 µm/m·K against 16.9 µm/m·K for Stainless 304.