304 grade is used in more than 50% of applications that specify a stainless steel. It resists most oxidising acids and is slightly stronger and more wear resistant than 316 grade.
316 grade withstands attacks by sodium and calcium brines, hypochlorite solutions, phosphoric acid and sulphurous acids. Due to its resistance to sea salt corrosion, it should always be specified for wires and meshes in external environments within 5km of a surf coast, or within 1km of sheltered coastal waters. It could be considered for applications further from such sea coasts, if;
- the environment is high temperature and high humidity or
- the location is sheltered from natural washing by rain or
- the location is an urban polluted area
