Water Bottle Material: 201 vs. 304 vs. 316 Stainless Steel
Stainless steel is the most common material for thermal water bottles, but stainless steel is also divided into three types: 201, 304, and 316 Stainless steel.
Which of these three types is better for thermal water bottles, and what is the difference? This article will introduce in detail three common materials used to make stainless steel thermos water bottles
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304-grade stainless steel is a corrosion-resistant kind of stainless steel. It has many nickel and chromium levels, which provides excellent corrosion resistance. Also, 304-grade stainless steel is the most extensively used due to its high corrosion resistance and utility.
It contains between 16 and 24% chromium, up to 35% nickel, and trace amounts of C and Mn. It has a considerably high melting point. 304 stainless steel is the most used stainless steel in terms of application.
It can be found in various industrial and domestic items due to its resistance to chemical corrosion. Because grade 304 stainless steel is chemical-free, it is a safe, durable, and long-lasting material for appliances, cookware, cutlery, tinned food, and other food-contact products.
Figure 1: 304 Stainless Steel Sheets
What Is 201-Grade Stainless Steel?
A 201 stainless steel is composed of an alloy with half the nickel of other standard steels while containing much higher levels of manganese and nitrogen. It is known as an austenitic metal due to its non-magnetic nature and elevated chromium and nickel content with low carbon content. This 201-grade stainless steel is also referred to as non-magnetic stainless steel.
However, 201 stainless steel is not recommended for outdoor structural applications due to its susceptibility to pitting and crevice corrosion, among other problems. Unfortunately, the low nickel concentration of the 201 grade limits the variety of capabilities available to it.
Even though 201-grade stainless steel is not as corrosion-resistant as steel, it provides adequate corrosion protection. The 201-grade stainless steel is beneficial in cold locations because of its hardness, which remains strong even in freezing temperatures. It will not last as long in severely corrosive situations as it should.
Figure 2: 201 Stainless Steel
What Is 316-Grade Stainless Steel?
The 316 stainless steel is the 2nd most often used stainless steel, behind only the 304 grade. It possesses almost identical mechanical and physical properties as 304-grade stainless steel. Also, it has a chemical composition equivalent to 304-grade stainless steel.
Apart from iron, nickel, and chromium, stainless steel 316 grade contains trace amounts of Mo, C, Si, and Mn. As a result, 316 stainless steel is often the finest choice for marine applications. 316-grade stainless steel is much more resistant to salt ions and other chemical products due to the addition of molybdenum.
Additionally, due to molybdenum’s presence in its alloying composition, 316-grade stainless steel is exceptionally resistant to chemical degradation. It is a strong material that is relatively easy to fabricate, clean, weld, and polish. It is significantly more resistant than aqueous sulfuric acid to a more excellent sulphuric acidic solution, chlorinated, bromide, iodides, and fatty acids.
Figure 3: Grade 316 Stainless Steel Sheet
201 vs. 304 vs. 316 Stainless Steel
Features
304 stainless steel
Grade 304 stainless steel is perhaps the most extensively used due to its exceptional corrosion resistance and low cost. Most oxidizing acids will not cause this stainless steel to rust.
Its durability makes the 304-grade stainless steel simple to disinfect, making it excellent for kitchen and culinary applications.
This type of stainless steel is austenitic and can be drawn very deeply to long lengths. The most commonly used grade for kitchen sinks and saucepans is 304 stainless steel because of this fact.
The 304-grade stainless steel has excellent oxidation resistance. However, corrosion resistance in water is not advised for prolonged usage at 425-860°C. Because of its resistance to carbide precipitation, the 304 grade of stainless steel is the best choice.
The 304 stainless steel has a high carbon content variant, making it best suited for applications requiring high strength at up to 800 °C. As a result, aqueous corrosion resistance will be maintained in this material.
Heat treatment can’t make 304-grade stainless steel stronger. After heating a solution to 1010–1120°C, quick cooling could improve the solution. Grade 304 stainless steel is straightforward to work with.
Grade 304 stainless steel is an excellent choice for fusion welding with or without fillers.
More chromium is found in the 304 stainless steel, which has a matte finish and will not rust.
Figure 4: Different Items Made From A 304 Stainless Steel
Stainless steel 201
201-grade stainless steel is easily oxidized. The surface is brilliant under black light and has a high manganese concentration.
201-grade stainless steel is non-magnetic in the annealed form but turns magnetic when cold works.
201 stainless steel is not recommended for exterior structural applications because of its susceptibility to pitting and crevice corrosion.
Unfortunately, the low nickel concentration of the 201-grade stainless steel limits the variety of capabilities.
In terms of acid and alkali resistance and density, 201-grade stainless steel is a great choice.
Stainless steel grade 201 is annealed at 1010–1093 °C (1850–2000 °F). To prevent scaling, the temperature is recommended not to surpass 2000°F.
316 stainless steel
Regarding this type of stainless steel, both types have low and high carbon. It is a low-carbon variant resistant to grain boundary carbide precipitation. This means it can be used in welded parts with a thick gauge of more than 6mm. The high-carbon variant provides the austenitic structure, which offers exceptional toughness.
316-grade stainless steel is very resistant to corrosion and rust. 316-grade stainless steel is also very durable, making it a good selection for high-reliability applications because it is more durable.
Grade 316 stainless steel has a higher melting point than grade 304 stainless steel.
It is more chemically resistant than grade 304 stainless steel. Grade 316 stainless steel is the best choice for situations where chlorinated treatments or salt are exposed.
Second, only 304-grade stainless steel is grade 316 stainless steel.
Material Characteristics
304 stainless steel.
Grade 304 stainless steel does not have molybdenum, making it less corrosion-resistant than grade 316 stainless steel.
These stainless steels have outstanding welding and forming qualities, making them useful in various sectors.
Heat treatment cannot harden them, but they may be cold-worked to achieve high strength.
304 stainless steel has 9% nickel and 18% chromium in it. It’s more resistant to rust than 201. Because 304-grade stainless steel has more nickel and chromium than 201, it’s more immune to rust.
304 stainless steel is brighter and whiter than 201 stainless steel due to less manganese content, making the surface darker.
Because 304-grade stainless steel has more nickel, it is more corrosion-resistant than 201 stainless steel.
Figure 5: Comparison Between 304 And 201 Stainless Steel Grades
Stainless steel 201
The variety of mechanical qualities of 201 stainless steel under annealed and cold-worked conditions makes it suitable for various applications.
201 stainless steel has a chromium content of 15% and a nickel content of 5%.
It is less resistant to rust than grade 304 stainless steel.
201 stainless steel has more manganese elements, making the surface darker than 304 stainless steel.
Due to the lower nickel concentration, 201 stainless steel has lower corrosion resistance than 304.
201 stainless steel has a relatively higher carbon content than 304, making it harder and more brittle.
316 stainless steel.
Molybdenum can be found in grade 316 stainless steel, dramatically increasing corrosion resistance, especially in more salty exposed environments.
316-grade stainless steels have outstanding welding and forming qualities, making them useful in various sectors.
Heat treatment cannot harden them, but they may be cold-worked to achieve high strength.
Because of the molybdenum component in 316 stainless steel, it is well suited for acidic environments.
Processing technology
304 stainless steel.
Casting 304 stainless steel offers several benefits because of its susceptibility to oxidation from chloride solutions and salty areas like the seaside.
Heat treatment does not harden 304 stainless steel.
Stainless steel 201
201 stainless steel can be made stronger by cold working rather than heating it, making it more durable.
The deformation, corrosion resistance, and fabricability of 201 stainless steel are excellent. It’s comparable to 301 stainless steel.
316 stainless steel
If you work with temperatures exceeding 500 °C, 316 stainless steel is a good choice for structural and pressure-containment applications because it has high heat resistance.
Regarding stainless steel 316’s alloying components, chromium, molybdenum, and nickel play a role. Because molybdenum is included in this alloy, it has a higher corrosion resistance than other types.
Welding characteristics
304 stainless steel
With its excellent welding and deep drawing qualities, 304-grade stainless steel is easy to manufacture, clean, and maintain.
More significant welding current and duration have enhanced weld diameter size and tensile strength to a specific optimal value in 304-grade stainless steel.
Stainless steel 201
All conventional welding processes may be used to join 201-grade stainless steel.
316 stainless steel.
Concerning corrosion resistance, longevity, weldability, and resilience to high temperatures, stainless steel 304 and 316 are both excellent choices for manufacturing applications.
However, 316 stainless steel edges out of 304 stainless steel are due to variations in the alloying components.
Why Is 304 Stainless Steel The Best Material for Water Bottles?
Because of its superior mechanical qualities, corrosion resistance, and high-temperature resistance, 304 stainless steel is extensively used in various fields. Acid, alkali, and high-temperature resistance are essential features, making it an ideal material for creating stainless steel water bottles.
Because food-grade stainless steel is ideal for manufacturing stainless steel water bottles, 304 stainless steel is best suited since it is food-grade stainless steel.
The 304 stainless steel is durable, leak-proof, and prevents hazardous materials like toxins from seeping into beverages within the resultant bottle. It also makes washing the stainless steel water bottle simple and keeps the environment clean since the container is reusable.
Also, 304 stainless steel helps form water bottles that do not allow mold to develop inside. Most stainless steel water bottles are mold-resistant, making them excellent for keeping drinks. Grade 304 stainless steel does not contact the beverages, and it is also BPA-free, making it the best material for creating a water bottle.
Additionally, the plumbing of residential and commercial water wells and potable water plumbing systems often involves the usage of 304 stainless steel fittings. Their corrosion resistance makes them an excellent alternative for many other commercial and industrial non-potable water applications where high corrosion resistance is needed.
How To Identify Stainless Steel Grades 304, 201, Or 316?
Identification by Color: Grade 304 stainless steel is blue, grade 316 stainless steel is yellow, and stainless steel grade 201 is copper/blue.
Identification with a Magnet: stainless steel grades 304 and 316 are non-magnetic, while 201-grade stainless steel is magnetic.
Identification with copper sulfate: 304, 201, and 316-grade stainless steel do not have color change since stainless steel is corrosive resistant; thus, no reaction or color change is expected.
Grinding: 304, 201, and 316 stainless steel grades may be identified by grinding and evaluating for waiting for a spark. The steel with high manganese has a dense and streamlined spark. In this case, 201 stainless steel will be shown by a simplified spark because it has high manganese or manganese nitrogen content. Because 304 and 316 stainless steel have less manganese, they will be identified by fewer or no knots.
Annealing Method: Cold-worked, magnetic stainless steel may be annealed by heating it until it becomes red and letting it cool naturally or in water. After heating, magnetic properties may be significantly reduced or even eliminated. Ferrite is a significant component of the internal structure of several “chrome-nickel stainless steel.” Consequently, even at very high temperatures, it keeps its magnetic characteristics. If the magnetic property is retained, the material is 201 stainless steel, not 304 or 316 stainless steel.
Chemical Qualitative Identification: The easiest way to identify stainless steel grades is to use a stainless steel identification agent. One technique to manipulate the stainless steel determining reagent to determine rates is to look at the color shift. The presence of manganese, nickel, or molybdenum in the steel might cause it to change color. Positive results for stainless steel grades 201 and 304 are indicated by a deep red and a colorless or pale yellow, respectively.
Stainless Steel – The Ultimate FAQ Guide
Is 304 Or 316 Stainless Steel Better?
For some applications, either 304- or 316-grade stainless steel is recommended. Stainless steels 304 and 316 are equally effective in their respective roles, with the higher material being used only when necessary.
Because it has a higher melting point than 316-grade stainless steel, 304-grade stainless steel is often used in applications that call for it. On the other hand, 316-grade stainless steel is better in chemical and chloride resistance. So, grade 316 stainless steel is preferred for applications involving chlorinated substances or exposure to other salts.
However, good capability is required for most applications. In grade 316 stainless steel, higher molybdenum content may impact forming ability.
Does Stainless Steel 304 Rust?
Corrosion resistance and other qualities of 304 stainless steel make it difficult to rust. As a result, 304-grade stainless steel is the most widely used kind of stainless steel owing to its superior corrosion resistance and low cost.
Corrosion of 304 stainless steel is further prevented because most oxidizing acids do not attack the material. These properties make 304-grade stainless steel durable, making it easy to sterilize and excellent for culinary and kitchen applications.
What Is The Best Way To Clean 304 Stainless Steel?
Like other stainless steel grades, cleaning 304-grade stainless steel requires soaking it in hot water and diluting ammonia, nitric acid, or detergent for a few minutes.
Then use a nylon brush to remove the dirt, but be wary of scratching the polished surface by avoiding abrasive materials. Finally, use plenty of non-mineral water to rinse the stainless steel.
How Is Thick 304 Stainless Steel?
Depending on the gauge sizes, the thickness of 304 stainless steel varies. These thickness measures are 11 gauge = 3.05 mm, 12 gauge = 2.78 mm, 14 gauge = 1.98 mm, 16 gauge = 1.59 mm, 18 gauge = 1.27 mm, 20 gauge = 0.95 mm, 22 gauge = 0.79 mm, and 24 gauge = 0.64 mm.
How Is Hard 304 Stainless Steel?
The 304-grade stainless steel has a Rockwell B hardness of 70. Despite this hardness, grade 304 stainless steel remains excellent all-around general-purpose steel that may be used in many applications.
Is 304 Stainless Steel Magnetic?
Because of the high concentration of austenite in grade 304 stainless steel, it is virtually non-magnetic. The term “austenite” refers to a high content of iron, which is not magnetic.
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