Even if sheet metal bending is carried out using different types of materials, currently, on the steel market, AISI 304 and AISI 316 stainless steel sheets represent the best possible choices in relation to the very high performance that these materials can provide. They contain 18% and 8% chromium and nickel respectively.
The main differences:
The fundamental difference between the two types of stainless steel lies purely in one component. In fact, AISI 316 stainless steel contains molybdenum, while AISI 304 does not. To check the presence of molybdenum and distinguish the 2 types of metal, reagents are used to trace the degree of presence.From the point of view of the functionality of the 2 metals, it can be said that AISI 316 steel in most cases is more resistant to corrosion, but for some substances such as nitric acid, 304 guarantees greater resistance.Therefore, from an application point of view, where there is a risk of corrosion (for example swimming pools, coastal areas but also urban areas where spaces are subject to pollution) the ideal is AISI 316 certified stainless steel. AISI 304 instead it is widely preferred in the chemical, petrochemical, food and pharmaceutical industries.
Some notes on its history and its uses
On the way for a century
The discovery of stainless steel (or stainless steel) dates back to 1872 thanks to the English Woods and Clarks. The characteristic of this new iron alloy was the higher chromium content (35% by weight) which made it resistant to acids.
What makes stainless steel is the presence of chromium which reacts with oxygen creating a chromium oxide film, invisible to the naked eye, which envelops the steel and makes it resistant to oxygen and chemical agents.
The basic composition of austenitic stainless steel is 18% Cr and 8% Ni, coded in 18/8 (AISI 304). A percentage of 2-3% of molybdenum allows the formation of molybdenum carbides better than those of chromium and ensures better resistance to corrosion by chlorides, such as sea water and de-icing salts, (steel 18/8/3; AISI 316).
Stainless steel: from the kitchen to the chemical industry
Stainless steel has the advantage of being considered a hygienic material as demonstrated by the Decree of the Minister of Health and subsequent amendments (24 September 2008, n.174) which governs the hygiene rules for packaging, containers and tools intended to come into contact with food substances or substances for personal use. In fact, this Ministerial Decree lists many cases in which the exclusive use of AISI 304/316 stainless steel demonstrates the effectiveness of this material for applications where it is necessary that the chemical integrity of the various components (machine tools, work surface systems ) is not altered by time or by contact with other substances.
Stainless steel in the automotive industry
Stainless steel in the world of kitchens
Having ascertained that the chemical, physical and mechanical characteristics of stainless steel make it a unique alloy, we can discover that the use of laminates of this material finds considerable use in the transport sector.
In all likelihood whether you are traveling by car, plane or ship, a mechanical machine component or a structural component or a sheet steel machine protective surface (cladding) is accompanying your journey.
Depending on its use, therefore, the choice of one rather than the other is easily guided by the intrinsic characteristics of the 2 types of highly qualified steel.
The Niuo platform still offers a wide range of materials for sheet metal bending that not only refer to these 2 types of stainless steel but it is possible to choose other metal alloys such as copper, iron, titanium and much more!
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