With the naked eye, the differences between AISI 304 alloy and 316 alloy are difficult to see. The most notable feature in our products is the finish, which ranges from satin in AISI 304 to bright in 316. But, at the level of structure and composition of materials, there are marked differences for manufacturers.
Molybdenum is the element that makes the difference in obtaining the AISI 316 alloy. This component improves resistance to corrosion in saline environments, which gives it an extra for applications near maritime and underwater areas.
Of course, this does not imply that Alloy 304 is poor at corrosion control, but this added element allows 316 to be used safely in environments where 304 might not last as long.