C33 · Metal Products
304/316L Stainless Steel Selection and 15 Part Lists for Manufacturing
In manufacturing, we've compiled 15 parts using stainless steel: commonly used 304 / 316L / 316, with thickness ranging from 0.025–500 mm.
15 Part Lists and Material Recommendations
| Part / Component | Recommended Grade | Specifications / Thickness | Surface | Main Failure Modes | Reference Standards |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weld Neck Flanges DN15–DN600 | 304/304L/316/316L/321 | PN10–PN100 | 2B/Polished/Acid Pickling | Corrosion of Medium + Seal Face Leakage | GB/T 9115；GB/T 3280 |
| Flat Weld Neck Flanges DN15–DN1200 | 304/316L | PN6–PN40 | 2B/Polished | Welding HAZ Corrosion | GB/T 9119；GB/T 3280 |
| Custom Flanges / Equipment Flanges | 316L/904L/2205 | Per Drawing 10–200mm | Polished/Die Cast | Severe Corrosion + High Pressure Seal Failure | NB/T 47008 |
| 90°/45° Elbows (Welded) | 304L/316L/321/310S | DN15–DN1200；Sch5S–160 | Pickling/2B | Erosion Corrosion + Welding Joint HAZ Corrosion | GB/T 12459；GB/T 12771 |
| Straight/Diagonal Tees | 304/304L/316/316L | DN15–DN1200 | Bright/Dip | Flow Turbulence + Cl⁻ Erosion | GB/T 12459 |
| Elbow Fittings | 316L | DN15–DN100; Wall Thickness 0.8–2.0mm | Lustrous/Bright | Seal Ring Aging + Tube End SCC | GB/T 19228.1；CJ/T 152 |
| Cap/Flange | 304/316L | DN15–DN600 | 2B/Acid Wash | Welding Defects→SCC | GB/T 12459 |
| Hex Bolts M6-M36 | 304（A2-70）/316（A4-70） | M6–M36 | Natural/Oxidized | Cl⁻ Erosion/Crevice Corrosion; Hydrogen Embrittlement | GB/T 3098.6；GB/T 3280 |
| Mechanical Screws/Self-tapping Screws | 302/304 | M2–M8 | Natural/Oxidized | Repetitive Disassembly Wear+Corrosion | GB/T 3098.6 |
| Rod Milling Nuts | 303 | M4–M30 | Clean | Corrosion Resistant Below 304/316 | GB/T 3098.6；GB/T 1220 |
| Outdoor Cladding Fasteners/Nailers | S31608（316） | Diameter ≥ 6mm | Passivated | Outdoors: Atmosphere, Rain, Pollutants | GB/T 3098.6；JGJ 133 |
| Disc Spring/Bend Spring | 301/304/316/17-7PH | Sheet 0.1–3.0 mm | Polished / 2B | Stress Relaxation/Fatigue Fracture/Corrosion | GB/T 1972；GB/T 3280 |
| Screw Bearings | 440C（9Cr18Mo） | Circle Wall Thickness 1–10mm | Quenched and Polished | Contact Fatigue/Corrosive Pitting | GB/T 308.1；GB/T 1220 |
| Wire Fabric/Braiding Net | 304/316L | 20–500 Mesh; Wire Diameter 0.025–0.5 mm | Shiny | Blockage + Wear + Cl⁻ Corrosion | GB/T 17492；GB/T 3280 |
| Vane Filter/Screen Drum Core | 304/316L/904L | Fissures 25μm–2mm | Pickling/Electrolysis | Blockage + Wear + Corrosion | By equipment standards; GB/T 3280 |
Table includesStandard Configuration. Same part may use 304, 316L, or 2205 based on different media, temperature, and welding methods —— Explain usage conditions instead of specifying grades.
Material Considerations
- Most common grades in this industry are 304 (9), 316L (9), 316 (5) —— Parentheses indicate affected areas; use as starting point for quoting and material preparation.
- Wear parts (edges, liners, conveyors) need hardness considerations, not just corrosion resistance (hardness checks).
- Welding parts must watch for sensitization and chloride ion stress corrosion cracking (SCC) (welding concerns).
- Thickness range 0.025–500 mm: Thin plates are often formed pieces (consider bending rebound and deep drawing cracks), thick plates are mostly welded structures (consider heat input and sensitization).
Common Issues
Which stainless steel is used most in metal manufacturing?
Top 15 parts by total number: 304 (9), 316L (9), 316 (5).
Which part has the highest failure rate?
Typical case: "90°/45° elbow (welded joint)" - erosion corrosion + intergranular corrosion at weld. Recommended grades: 304L, 316L, 321, 310S; DN15–DN1200; Sch5S–160.
What thickness should I choose?
Thickness range in the list: 0.025–500 mm. Thin plates for forming and surface treatment, thick plates for welding strength and structural integrity; different manufacturers may have different values based on your drawings or operating conditions. Recheck with your specific situation.
Related materials and adjacent industries
304Materials and specifications304LMaterials and specifications316LMaterials and specifications321Materials and specifications2205Materials and specificationsAgricultural food processingFood ProcessingFood manufacturingFood ManufacturingBeer, beverage, and refined tea manufacturingBeverage & Brewing
Applications15
Grades025/500