Phoenix Contact Stainless Steel Enclosures

Stainless Steel Enclosures: Type 304 vs 316

304 Stainless Steel

304 Stainless Steel contains 18% chromium and 8% nickel. It is the most widely used stainless steel within industrial applications. 304 stainless steel resists corrosion and oxidizing agents, which can cause rusting. However, it can tarnish. 304 stainless steel is very strong and can be bent without decreasing the strength, but it can be difficult to manipulate. Because of its corrosive resistance, 304 stainless steel enclosures are commonly used in dairy plants, mills, bakeries, and many other food processing industries. 

316 Stainless Steel

316 Stainless Steel is a much higher grade of stainless steel containing 16% chromium, 10% nickel and 2% molybdenum, which significantly increases its resistance to pitting and cracking. It has increased corrosive resistance to chloride pollutants, such as salt. 316 stainless steel enclosures are ideal for areas there may have a high salt content, such as coastal areas and areas that use de-icing salts. This type of stainless steel is much more resistant to chemical environments that include sulphuric acid, phosphoric acid or many other chemicals. These types of stainless steel enclosures can be found in areas with high levels of corrosive agents, such as water, wastewater, chemical plants and fertilizer plants. Both 304 and 316 stainless steel enclosures have a NEMA rating of NEMA 4X because they are corrosion resistant, however it is important to remember to never use any chemicals that contain chlorine.