What Is the Difference Between 310 Stainless Steel & 316 Stainless Steel?

Stainless steels are generally very resistant to corrosion and heat. All stainless steels include chromium and other elements to decrease the likelihood of pitting and rusting. All grades of stainless steel share numerous similarities. There are only a small number of differences between grade-310 and grade-316 stainless steels. The differences between these two steels lie in their composition and the practical applications for which they are used.

Properties

• There are very few differences between grade-310 and grade-316 stainless steels. The nickel added to certain stainless steels changes the crystal structure of the steel from ferrite to austenite. Ferritic materials are magnetic while austenitic materials are nonmagnetic. Grade-310 and grade-316 stainless steels are austenitic. These steels offer great ductility and are easily formed and welded. The chromium in these stainless steel adds to the corrosion resistant properties of the steel. The molybdenum in many stainless steels like 316 steel increases pitting resistance and also adds to the steel's corrosion resistant property.

Composition

• Iron is the base material for stainless steel. 316 stainless steel contains more iron than 310 stainless steel, but both are made up of well over 50 percent iron. Grade-316 stainless steel contains approximately 12.5 percent nickel, 17 percent chromium and 2.1 percent molybdenum. Grade-310 stainless steel is comprised of between 24 and 26 percent chromium and between 19 and 22 percent nickel. Grade-310 stainless steel contains a maximum of 0.25 percent carbon while grade-316 stainless steel contains a maximum of .08 percent carbon.

Applications

• Grade-310 are grade-316 stainless steels are ideal for certain applications. Marine applications often call for grade-316 stainless steels. This grade of stainless steel is also widely used in the food and beverage industry. Cheese vats, beer kegs, milk silos and fruit tanks are often made out of grade-316 stainless steels. The exteriors of the Jin Mao and Petronas Towers are clad in grade-316 stainless steel. Grade-310 stainless steels are ideal for general applications in high temperature environments where corrosion resistance is needed.

Performance

• Grade-316 and grade-310 stainless steel have many of the same performance values at room temperature, including yield strength and tensile strength. Yield strength refers to the amount of stress needed to permanently deform a given material. The minimum yield strength of both grade-310 stainless steel and grade-316 stainless steel is 205 MPa or just over 29,000 PSI. Tensile strength refers to the amount of force needed to pull apart a material. The minimum tensile strength of both grade-310 and grade-316 stainless steels is 515 MPa or just under 75,000 PSI.