Stainless Steel 304 vs 316
Stainless Steel · grade comparison
Stainless Steel 304 and 316 are both stainless steel grades. 316 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 290 MPa (42.1 ksi) against 250 MPa (36.3 ksi) for 304, about 16% more. On the shop floor, 304 machines more easily (45 vs 35 out of 100) and 304 sits in a lower cost tier (standard, $$) than 316 (premium, $$$).
304Choose it when the part is machined in volume, or when cost is the deciding factor.
316Choose it when strength drives the design.
304 vs 316: 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)
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 · Hardness, Vickers 160 HV
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
Common Calculations
Ratios derived from the values above.
Modulus of Resilience
Same in both: Specific Strength (UTS / density) 73 kN·m/kg · Specific Stiffness (E / density) 24.1 MN·m/kg · Thermal Diffusivity 4.1 mm²/s · Thermal Shock Resistance Index 3
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 | 316 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 vs 316 — frequently asked
Is 316 stronger than 304?
Yes. 316 has a typical yield strength of 290 MPa (42.1 ksi) against 250 MPa (36.3 ksi) for 304 — about 16% more. Tensile strength is 580 MPa (84.1 ksi) vs 585 MPa (84.8 ksi).
Which is cheaper, 304 or 316?
304 is the lower-cost material: it sits in the standard tier ($$) while 316 is premium ($$$). 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 or 316?
304, by a small margin. Both rate fair for machinability — 45/100 against 35/100 for 316.
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in 304 and 316 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.