Best Grade Of Stainless Steel For Saltwater
Also known as marine grade stainless steel due to its increased resistance to chloride corrosion compared to type 304.
Best grade of stainless steel for saltwater. In a marine environment it must be made clear as to whether the stainless steel is submerged in seawater or is simply near enough to the seashore such that it can be attacked by the chloride present in seawater. The problem is it s susceptible to corrosion from saline environments like the coast. It has more molybdenum than other austenitic stainless steels which helps it to resist pitting and other corrosive effects of salt water. Stainless steel has many different grades and lower grades are not suitable for marine applications.
Meanwhile 304 stainless steel is the overall most popular grade regardless of application type. Clinton offers sae 304 stainless steel which can also be found under the name a2 stainless steel or 18 8 stainless steel. It s better to use high grade super duplex stainless steels like dp3w which has pren pitting resistant equivalent number more than 37 are the best. Most watches that are made of stainless steel are made of this grade.
Marine grade stainless steel is a misunderstood description. 18 10 stainless often corresponds to this. This grade is the most commonly used for coastal applications. 316 stainless steel is composed of 2 to 3 molybdenum boosting its corrosion resistance.
Rolex is an exception in that they use type 904l. 304 stainless steel is made up of low carbon and chromium nickel content which makes it extremely versatile and widely used out of all the stainless steel options. 304 is commonly used in kitchen equipment storage tanks. Grade 316 is probably the most common grade of stainless steel used in marine applications.
Ss316 is often used for building nuclear reprocessing plants. 304 is the most popular stainless steel alloy available on the market. There is no industry recognized definition for a marine grade stainless steel though it is routinely used by many end users. This alloy was first developed by firth brown steels nearly a century ago.
It is an austenite steel meaning that it is non magnetic in nature.