What does 18/8 stainless steel mean?
These two sets of numbers refer to the chromium and nickel content in stainless steel. 18/0 means 18% chromium content, basically no nickel. 18/8 refers to 304 stainless steel, 18% chromium content, 8% nickel content.
Customers often call 304 stainless steel pipe18 8 stainless pipe, but it also has three other logos and names: 06Cr19Ni10, 304, and SUS304. 06Cr19Ni10 generally indicates national standard production, 304 generally indicates American ASTM standard production, and SUS304 indicates Japanese standard production.
Stainless steel is an alloy steel with high corrosion resistance and aesthetics, which is widely used in various fields, such as construction, kitchenware, medical equipment, etc.
Among the many stainless steel models, 18-8 stainless steel and aisi 304 are the most common two. So, are 18-8 stainless steel and 304 stainless steel the same grade of stainless steel?
Walmay Metal will conduct a comparative analysis from multiple aspects.
Composition and performance for 18/8 stainless steel、304 ss
18-8 stainless steel: contains 18% chromium (Cr) and 8% nickel (Ni), has good corrosion resistance and formability, and can maintain stable performance in a variety of environments.
ss 304 stainless steel: contains 18% chromium (Cr) and 8% nickel (Ni), as well as a certain amount of manganese and nitrogen, has good corrosion resistance and processing performance, and is widely used in construction, kitchenware and other fields.
In terms of composition, both 18-8 stainless steel and 304 contain 18% chromium (Cr) and 8% nickel (Ni). But 304 stainless steel has more specific standards. 304 stainless steel is a type of stainless steel produced in accordance with the American ASTM standard. The composition requirements of food-grade 304 stainless steel are more stringent, limiting the content of various heavy metals to ensure the safety of food contact materials.
This means that all material 304 stainless steel fall into the category of 18-8 stainless steels, but not all 18-8 stainless steels can meet the standards of 304.
Corrosion resistance of 18 8 ss and 304 stainless steel
18 8 ss and 304 stainless steel show good performance in corrosion resistance. However, in some highly oxidizing environments, such as high temperature, high humidity or media containing chloride ions, the corrosion resistance of 304 stainless steel may be better than that of 18-8 stainless steel.
Processing and welding performance
188 stainless steel and stainless steel ss 304 show good performance in processing and welding. Both stainless steels are easy to perform processing operations such as cutting, bending and welding, but the specific processing performance may vary depending on factors such as material thickness and temperature.
Uses and applicable occasions of 304 stainless、18.8 stainless steel
In practical applications, 304 stainless is widely used due to its excellent corrosion resistance and formability. It can resist corrosion from general oxidizing acids, alkalis, salts and other chemicals, and is suitable for a variety of environments. For example, in food processing, medical equipment and chemical industries, 304 stainless steel is favored for its safety and durability.
Although ordinary 18.8 stainless steel also has a certain degree of corrosion resistance, its performance may vary depending on the manufacturer and process due to the lack of a unified standard.
Market acceptance and circulation
From the perspective of market acceptance and circulation, 304 stainless steel sheet, as an internationally accepted standard material, is more easily accepted by the market and more easily circulated. Whether in the domestic or international market, when 304 stainless steel is mentioned, people can quickly understand the high quality it represents.
However, 18-8 stainless steel, as a broader classification, has relatively low market awareness and circulation.
In summary
In summary, although there is no essential difference between 18 8 and 304 stainless steel in composition, 304 stainless steel has more advantages due to its specific standards, wide applicability and high market acceptance.
When choosing stainless steel materials, if conditions permit, sus 304 stainless steel will be a more reliable and widely accepted choice.
