Boasting unmatched strength, resilience, and versatility, stainless steel wire mesh is a critical material for countless industrial applications. The metal itself has myriad specifications and grades, the most common being types 304 (T-304) and 316 (T-316).
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What's the difference between the two, and how do you know which is best for your needs? Read on for insight.
T-304 vs. T-316 Stainless Steel Alloys
Before diving deeper into the differences in these materials, it’s important to understand what an alloy is. An alloy is a metal combined with other elements to create a material not found in nature. For instance, when pure silver is combined with a small amount of copper, the result is sterling silver.
Steel is created by adding chromium to iron, and the stainless variety typically contains a small amount of nickel. The exact percentages of each element determine the grade of the metal.
Stainless steel wire mesh products are used in everything from aerospace and agriculture to mining and machinery. While there's a multitude of variations, T-304 and T-316 are the most widely used.
T-304 is essentially the standard version, and T-316 is premium. Though these alloys look nearly identical to the untrained eye, they're notably different in terms of their durability and resistance to heat and corrosion.
What Is T-304 Stainless Steel?
Type 304 stainless steel is an alloy containing 18% chromium and 8% nickel. In addition to being affordable and supremely versatile, there are many advantages to using the material.
T-304 wire mesh products are:
Heat-resistant in temperatures as high as 1600 °F
Non-magnetic
Operational in sub-zero temperatures
Resistant to corrosion
Unlikely to oxidize
This type of wire mesh is widely available and comes in a broad range of sizes, wire diameters, and weaves.
T-304 Stainless Steel Metal Mesh Applications & Industries
Many industries rely on T-304 steel hardware cloth, including mining, food production, water filtration, automotive, aerospace, manufacturing, construction, and refinery.
Industrial applications for T-304 include:
Creation of moldings and trim
Equipment tubing and piping
Electrical enclosures
Laboratory use
Particle separation
Screening abrasives and liquids
Sieving
Sorting powders and solid materials
Storage tanks
T-304 is a go-to for various applications, so bear in mind this is by no means an exhaustive list.
What Is T-316 Stainless Steel?
Type 316 stainless steel is an alloy containing 16% chromium and 10% nickel, along with 2% of the chemical element molybdenum. While it's priced slightly higher than T-304, it's just as versatile with many notable benefits.
T-316 wire mesh products are:
More resistant to corrosion than T-304
Non-magnetic
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Resilient in extreme temperatures
Resilient in harsh environmental conditions
Resistant to spot welding
Suitable in marine environments
Unlikely to oxidize
Thanks to the small amount of molybdenum, this type of stainless steel is typically recommended for highly corrosive marine environments where T-304 isn't as stable.
T-316 Stainless Steel Mesh Applications and Industries
Like T-304, several commercial sectors rely on T-316 stainless steel hardware cloth. This includes marine technology, food processing, manufacturing, automotive, shipbuilding, aerospace, and the pharmaceutical and medical industries.
Industrial applications for T-316 include:
Boat fittings
Chemical processing and storage
Cisterns and piping
Containing pressurized gasses or liquids
Heavy welding
Infrastructure
Laboratory use
Machinery
Marine components
Outdoor furnishings
Particle separation
For more information into this material, check out our Stainless Steel Mesh Guide.
Where to Buy the Best Stainless Steel Industrial Mesh
Founded in Berkeley, California, in 1969, TWP Inc. has been a premier industrial wire mesh supplier for more than 60 years. Our woman-owned company carries woven and welded stainless steel sheets, panels, rolls, and laser-cut mesh discs, including a robust selection of T-304 and T-316 grades.
Expert services from TWP Inc. include laser cutting, roll slitting, disc sizing, measuring, and cleaning. We always have a wide variety of products in stock, but if you don't see exactly what you need, we're happy to accommodate custom sizes and quantities. Request a free quote to get started!
Want to discover more about what's trending in your industry? Connect with TWP Inc. on LinkedIn for the latest on wire mesh materials and applications.
The Differences Between 304 and 316 Stainless Steel
All stainless steel is not made the same. Stainless steel is graded. The “grade” of stainless steel refers to its quality, durability, and temperature resistance. Deciphering what stainless steel you need is an important step in your next project involving stainless steel mesh. Type 304 and Type 316 stainless steel metal mesh are two of the most common types used but knowing the difference between the two is important.
Known as A2 stainless, 304 stainless steel is the most common of the stainless steel family. The most common form of 304 stainless steel is 18-8 or 18/8 stainless steel which contains 18 percent chromium and 8 percent nickel.
304 stainless steel mesh can withstand corrosion from most oxidizing acids. That durability makes this grade of stainless steel easy to sanitize, an ideal advantage for kitchen and food applications. 304 stainless steel is also common in buildings, decor, and site furnishings.
304 stainless steel is austenitic, meaning it is a solid solution of carbon in a nonmagnetic form of iron. This means this grade of metal mesh is non-magnetic and exhibits poor thermal and electrical conductivity. While it boasts excellent malleability and can be formed into required shapes, it also carries increased corrosion resistance when compared to regular steel. 304 is susceptible to corrosion from chloride solutions, or from saline environments like the coast.
316 stainless steel, also known as marine grade stainless or A4 stainless, is well-known for its increased resistance to corrosion and its superb abilities in salt-water and marine applications. While it comes with the same physical properties as 304 as well as similar utilitarian functions, the big difference is the incorporation of molybdenum, generally ranging from 2-3% by composition (although some specialty 300-series stainless steels can contain up to 7-8% molybdenum).
The increased nickel content and the inclusion of molybdenum make 316 stainless steel metal mesh a bit costlier than grade 304 but offer increased corrosion resistance compared to 304—particularly against chlorides and chlorinated solutions. 316 stainless steel is generally used whenever chemical processes and high-salinity environments warrant chloride-resistant features and due to its non-reactive traits, is also widely used in the manufacture of medical & surgical equipment.
Austenitic stainless steels are known for their versatility. Lawrence Sintered Metals carries a full assortment of metal meshes in 304 and 316 stainless steel, as well as other grades. The benefits of stainless steel also come with age and proper care as low-maintenance requirements and long service life ensure that architectural and mechanical integrity will be non-issues for years to come.
If you’re planning on using stainless steel in saltwater environments, 316 is the proper alloy. If you’re looking for a durable alloy and superior corrosion resistance isn’t necessary, 304 stainless can work perfectly. To learn more about what each stainless steel can do for you and find the perfect fit for your application, please reach out to us. We will be happy to assist in determining whether 304 or 316 stainless steel is a suitable choice for your metal mesh project.
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