Stainless Steel 304 Annealed vs 316 Annealed
Stainless Steel · grade comparison
Stainless Steel 304 Annealed and 316 Annealed are both stainless steel grades, compared here in the Annealed condition. 316 Annealed is the stronger of the two: yield strength 285 MPa (41.3 ksi) against 250 MPa (36.3 ksi) for 304 Annealed, about 14% more. On the shop floor, 304 Annealed machines more easily (45 vs 35 out of 100) and 304 Annealed sits in a lower cost tier (standard, $$) than 316 Annealed (premium, $$$).
304 AnnealedChoose it when the part is machined in volume, or when cost is the deciding factor.
316 AnnealedChoose it when strength drives the design.
Buyer's decision notes
Choose annealed 304 for broad food-equipment, architectural and general industrial service when the environment does not justify molybdenum-bearing 316. Choose annealed 316 when the actual chloride, chemical or cleaning exposure needs more localized-corrosion margin.
Compare the same condition
Both sides name the annealed condition, but properties still depend on product form, thickness and orientation. Compare sheet with sheet or bar with bar, and do not substitute cold-worked data for an annealed drawing callout.
- Exposure definition
- 316 generally improves resistance to localized attack in chloride-bearing media, but it is not a saltwater guarantee. Record concentration, temperature, wet-dry cycling, crevices, deposits, cleaners and dissimilar metals before choosing the grade.
- Welded service
- For welded corrosive service, decide whether a low-carbon 304L or 316L product and its governing specification are required. The base grade alone does not define filler, heat input, post-weld cleaning or intergranular-corrosion control.
- Machining
- Both austenitic grades work harden during cutting. Keep tools engaged, use rigid setups and confirm whether a machinability-enhanced product is acceptable without changing the required grade certification.
- Finish and cleaning
- Specify the incoming and final surface, weld discoloration removal, passivation or electropolishing, and prohibited contamination. A smoother surface helps cleanability but does not erase crevices or an unsuitable alloy selection.
Put this on the RFQ
- State 304, 304L, 316 or 316L; annealed condition; product form; governing material specification; and required material test report.
- Describe process fluid, chloride and cleaning exposure, temperature, crevices, drainage and dissimilar-metal contacts.
- Define weld procedure requirements, filler, final surface, heat-tint removal, passivation and acceptance criteria.
Primary references
- Outokumpu — Core 304 range — Producer datasheet covering 304-family product forms, fabrication, corrosion behavior and welded-grade distinctions.
- Outokumpu — Supra 316 range — Producer grade page for 316-family stainless products, forms and corrosion-resistance positioning.
FabDigit resources: 304 Annealed datasheet, 316 Annealed datasheet, CNC design guide and sheet-metal design guide.
304 Annealed vs 316 Annealed: propertiesHow to read these bars
- One bar per material. A full bar is the highest value among all stainless steel grades in the FabDigit library; each bar is drawn as a share of that.
- The better value (by the usual engineering direction) is in bold. Rows with no direction — density, thermal conductivity — have no bold.
- Values are typical room-temperature figures for the condition named on each card.
- Confirm against the certified mill or resin datasheet before design release.
How to read these bars
- One bar per material. A full bar is the highest value among all stainless steel grades in the FabDigit library; each bar is drawn as a share of that.
- The better value (by the usual engineering direction) is in bold. Rows with no direction — density, thermal conductivity — have no bold.
- Values are typical room-temperature figures for the condition named on each card.
- Confirm against the certified mill or resin datasheet before design release.
Mechanical
Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.
Bulk Modulus
Poisson's Ratio
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)
Elongation at Break
Reduction in Area
Compressive Strength
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)
Hardness, Vickers
Same in both: Elastic (Young's) Modulus 193 GPa28 Msi · Shear Modulus 77 GPa11.2 Msi · Shear Strength 415 MPa60.2 ksi · Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit) 250 MPa36.3 ksi · Fracture Toughness (K_IC) 220 MPa·√m200 ksi·√in · Hardness, Brinell 150 HB · Hardness, Rockwell B 82 HRB
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Melting Point (Solidus)
Liquidus Temperature
Same in both: Density 8 g/cm³0.29 lb/in³
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Thermal Conductivity
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)
Latent Heat of Fusion
Same in both: Specific Heat Capacity 500 J/kg·K0.12 BTU/lb·°F · Max Service Temperature (continuous) 870°C1,598 °F · Min Service Temperature -196°C-321 °F
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Electrical Conductivity
Electrical Resistivity
Chemical & Environmental
Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).
Corrosion Resistance
Same in both: Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE) -0.05 V
Manufacturability
FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.
Machinability
Formability (cold)
Brazeability / Solderability
Polishability
Same in both: Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %) 45% · Weldability 88 / 100
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Embodied Energy (primary production)
Embodied Carbon (primary production)
Embodied Water
Typical Recycled Content
Strength versus weight
Yield strength against density for every stainless steel grade in the FabDigit library; the compared grades are highlighted. Up and left is stronger for its weight.
Manufacturing and finishing
| Capability | 304 Annealed | 316 Annealed |
|---|---|---|
| Default condition | Annealed | Solution Annealed |
| Relative cost | $$ Standard | $$$ Premium |
| Min. machined wall | 0.8 mm | 0.8 mm |
| Best machined surface | Ra 1.6 µm | Ra 1.6 µm |
Both are offered for CNC machining, Sheet metal and Casting & forging. Both take the same 32 finishes: AlCrN, AlTiN, Black Oxide, CVD Al2O3, CVD TiCN, CVD TiN, Cerakote, Chrome Plating, CrN, DLC, Electroless Nickel (EN), Electropolishing and 20 more.
304 Annealed vs 316 Annealed — frequently asked
Is 316 Annealed stronger than 304 Annealed?
Yes. 316 Annealed has a typical yield strength of 285 MPa (41.3 ksi) against 250 MPa (36.3 ksi) for 304 Annealed — about 14% more. Tensile strength is 575 MPa (83.4 ksi) vs 585 MPa (84.8 ksi).
Which is cheaper, 304 Annealed or 316 Annealed?
304 Annealed is the lower-cost material: it sits in the standard tier ($$) while 316 Annealed is premium ($$$). Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
Which is easier to machine, 304 Annealed or 316 Annealed?
304 Annealed, by a small margin. Both rate fair for machinability — 45/100 against 35/100 for 316 Annealed.
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in 304 Annealed and 316 Annealed side by side — material, machining time, tolerance and finish in one quote. Certified material data ships with the order on request.
Typical handbook values for the conditions named above, normalised for comparison. Hardness on non-Brinell scales is converted approximately for charting only. Request certified data with your order for design-critical properties.