Does 304 Stainless Steel Rust?
Many people wonder if 304 stainless steel rusts. There's a misconception that stainless steel never rusts, but it can in certain conditions.
304 Stainless Steel Applications
304 stainless steel has diverse uses. It's widely applied in transportation, architecture, and industry.
What Can Cause Stainless Steel to Rust?
There are over 150 stainless steel grades, with different rust - prone levels. 304 stainless steel doesn't rust in normal air. Its corrosion happens in harsh environments or when it has impurities.
Stainless steel resists corrosion well in most cases, but different types react differently in corrosive conditions. Common causes of its corrosion include:
Bimetallic Corrosion: It occurs when different metals touch in an electrolyte (galvanic corrosion).
Crevice Corrosion: Low oxygen in a crevice triggers it.
General Corrosion: A pH value above 1 can cause this.
Intergranular Corrosion: Heating steel between 450 - 850°C turns carbon in steel into grain boundaries, leading to corrosion.
Pitting Corrosion: Exposure to chloride - containing environments, like seawater, causes pitting.
304 stainless steel is a versatile and common metal. It's usually cheaper than 316 stainless steel, which has stronger corrosion resistance. If your application doesn't face aggressive chemicals and only deals with mild acids, 304 stainless steel is likely a great choice.
304 Stainless Steel Applications
304 stainless steel has diverse uses. It's widely applied in transportation, architecture, and industry.
What Can Cause Stainless Steel to Rust?
There are over 150 stainless steel grades, with different rust - prone levels. 304 stainless steel doesn't rust in normal air. Its corrosion happens in harsh environments or when it has impurities.
Stainless steel resists corrosion well in most cases, but different types react differently in corrosive conditions. Common causes of its corrosion include:
Bimetallic Corrosion: It occurs when different metals touch in an electrolyte (galvanic corrosion).
Crevice Corrosion: Low oxygen in a crevice triggers it.
General Corrosion: A pH value above 1 can cause this.
Intergranular Corrosion: Heating steel between 450 - 850°C turns carbon in steel into grain boundaries, leading to corrosion.
Pitting Corrosion: Exposure to chloride - containing environments, like seawater, causes pitting.
304 stainless steel is a versatile and common metal. It's usually cheaper than 316 stainless steel, which has stronger corrosion resistance. If your application doesn't face aggressive chemicals and only deals with mild acids, 304 stainless steel is likely a great choice.