Views: 43 Author: Site Editor Publish Time: 2021-10-28 Origin: Site
Stainless steel wire mesh is a versatile material that provides the durability that countless industries rely on. Stainless steel itself comes in dozens of classifications and sizes, sometimes making it difficult for lab technicians and floor engineers to determine the best solution.
Of all the stainless steel classifications, type 304 and type 316 stand as the most popular. So what’s the difference? In this article, we will identify what stainless steel is, what low carbon alloy is, how 304 and 316 stainless steel mesh compare, and which alloy you should use.
Stainless steel has become one of the most widely used materials in the world. There are centuries of research behind its manufacturing process. Now, whichever type of steel you use, it is likely to be classified by alloy quality. This means that a stainless steel alloy must contain a certain level of carbon and chromium in order to be considered stainless steel.
Stainless Steel Wire Mesh
As mentioned above, the classification of most steels is determined by the carbon content they contain. When the carbon content of an alloy is less than 0.03%, it is classified as low carbon steel or L grade. Having such a limited amount of carbon in an alloy reduces the amount of carbide precipitation. This improves the corrosion resistance of the alloy.
This is particularly beneficial for applications where stainless steel wire mesh products are exposed to moisture. In other words, the more carbon present in the alloy, the more likely it is to rust and corrode when water is present.
The main differences between 304 and 316 stainless steel mesh are their corrosion resistance, durability, heat resistance and formability.
Now, 304 stainless steel mesh is an alloy containing 18% chromium and 8% nickel. On the other hand, 316 stainless steel mesh is an alloy containing 16% chromium, 10% nickel and 2% molybdenum.
Stainless Steel Wire Mesh
Because 316 contains more nickel and molybdenum. These additional benefits allow it to be more resistant to corrosive environments, more stable and durable, and more resistant to extreme temperatures.
That said, there is little visual difference between the two alloys. They also have the same ability to be welded and customised in the manufacturing process.
The alloy that should be used depends on the application. If the mesh will be subjected to harsh conditions that introduce corrosive substances, 316 should be used. This is because the molybdenum added to 316 stainless steel wire mesh allows it to withstand more corrosive applications. With it, if you are only using it to screen non-corrosive materials such as food particles or aggregates, then 304 stainless steel mesh will do the job.
Stainless Steel Wire Mesh
When welding is required in the manufacturing process, low carbon steel, either 304 or 316, should be used. This is because carbon naturally absorbs heat and can impede any type of welding or heat treatment process. Therefore, the higher the carbon content of the alloy, the more difficult it is to manufacture.
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