Key Differences
316L stainless steel contains molybdenum (Mo) and has low carbon content, offering far better resistance to chloride corrosion, intergranular corrosion and high temperatures than 304. 304 is more cost-effective for general neutral or weakly corrosive applications.
Chemical Composition
- 304 Stainless Steel: Carbon ≤0.08%, Chromium 18–20%, Nickel 8–10.5%, no molybdenum
- 316L Stainless Steel: Carbon ≤0.03%, Chromium 16–18%, Nickel 10–14%, Molybdenum 2–3%
Corrosion Resistance
- 304 Bag Filters: Suitable for neutral and weakly corrosive media (freshwater, food, general industry). Not recommended for chloride environments (seawater, salt spray, chlorinated water) due to risk of pitting corrosion.
- 316L Bag Filters: Excellent chloride resistance ideal for seawater, saltwater and coastal conditions. Superior intergranular corrosion resistance after welding. Wider resistance to acids, alkalis and organic chemicals.
Temperature & Mechanical Properties
316L performs better at high and low temperatures. 304 has slightly higher tensile strength. Both have similar density.
Cost
316L is 30%–50% more expensive than 304 due to higher nickel and molybdenum content.
Applications
Recommended 304 Bag Filters
- Tap water, groundwater and clean water filtration
- General food & beverage, municipal water treatment
- Industrial circulating water, weakly acidic/alkaline solutions (pH 4–10)
Recommended 316L Bag Filters
- Seawater, brine and coastal/salt spray environments
- Chlorinated media (pool water, bleach, sodium hypochlorite)
- Chemical, pharmaceutical, biotechnology and high-hygiene applications
- High-temperature and welded equipment
Selection Guide
Choose 304 for general freshwater and non-chloride systems. Choose 316L for seawater, chloride, chemical, pharmaceutical and high-corrosion environments.