About Type 316 Stainless Steel:
For severe environments. Of course, there are many
industrial processes that require a higher level of resistance to
corrosion than Type 304 can offer.
Type 316 is also austenitic, non-magnetic, and thermally
nonhardenable stainless steel like Type 304. The carbon content is held
to 0.08% maximum, while the nickel content is increased slightly. What
distinguishes Type 316 from Type 304 is the addition of molybdenum up to
a maximum of 3%.
Molybdenum increases the corrosion resistance of
this chromium-nickel alloy to withstand attack by many industrial
chemicals and solvents, and, in particular, inhibits pitting caused by
chlorides. As such, molybdenum is one of the single most useful alloying
additives in the fight against corrosion.
Type 316 is the main stainless used in the marine
environment