What’s the difference between Type 304 and Type 316 stainless steel, and what differentiates L-grade stainless steel?
More Questions and Answers from POWDER BULK ENGINEERING
Q: Industrial equipment manufacturers offer several metal material options for equipment construction metal materials. What are the differences in metals? What’s the difference between Type 304 and Type 316 stainless steel, and what differentiates L-grade stainless steel?
A: Paul Deegan, Vortex, says:
The most common metals offered are AISI Type 304 and Type 316 stainless steel and AISI 1008/1010 or ASTM A36, which is typically referred to as carbon steel. These metals are used to construct the “wetted” parts in a piece of equipment — that is, those parts which come in contact with the conveyed material in a manufacturing process. Alternatively, the frame or structure in a piece of equipment is usually made from either aluminum or carbon steel because they offer weight advantages, cost savings, or both.
