In those food processing applications such as in mills,bakeries, and slaughter and packing houses, all metal equipment exposed toanimal and vegetable oils, fats, and acids is manufactured from Type 304.
   Type 304 is also used for the dye tanks,pipelines buckets, dippers, etc. that come in contact with the lormic, acetic,and other organic acids used in the dyeing industry.
   In the marine environment, because of itslightly higher strength and wear resistance than type 316 it is also used fornuts, bolts, screws, and other fasteners. It is also used for springs, cogs,and other components where both wear and corrosion resistance is needed.

316: For severeenvironments. Of course, there are many industrial processes that require ahigher level of resistance to corrosion than Type 304 can offer. For theseapplications, Type 316 is the answer.
Type 316 is alsoaustenitic, non-magnetic, and thermally nonhardenable stainless steel like Type304. The carbon content is held to 0.08% maximum, while the nickel content isincreased slightly. What distinguishes Type 316 from Type 304 is the additionof molybdenum up to a maximum of 3%.
Molybdenumincreases the corrosion resistance of this chromium-nickel alloy to withstandattack by many industrial chemicals and solvents, and, in particular, inhibitspitting caused by chlorides. As such, molybdenum is one of the single mostuseful alloying additives in the fight against corrosion.
By virtue of themolybdenum addition, Type 316 can withstand corrosive attack by sodium andcalcium brines, hypochlorite solutions, phosphoric acid; and the sulfiteliquors and sulfurous acids used in the paper pulp industry. This alloy,therefore, is specified for industrial equipment that handles the corrosiveprocess chemicals used to produce inks, rayons, photographic chemicals, paper,textiles, bleaches, and rubber. Type 316 is also used extensively for surgicalimplants within the hostile environment of the body.
Type 316 is themain stainless used in the marine environment, with the exception of fastenersand other items where strength and wear resistance are needed, then Type 304(18-8) is typically used.

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