×
INTELLIGENT WORK FORUMS
FOR ENGINEERING PROFESSIONALS

Log In

Come Join Us!

Are you an
Engineering professional?
Join Eng-Tips Forums!
  • Talk With Other Members
  • Be Notified Of Responses
    To Your Posts
  • Keyword Search
  • One-Click Access To Your
    Favorite Forums
  • Automated Signatures
    On Your Posts
  • Best Of All, It's Free!
  • Students Click Here

*Eng-Tips's functionality depends on members receiving e-mail. By joining you are opting in to receive e-mail.

Posting Guidelines

Promoting, selling, recruiting, coursework and thesis posting is forbidden.

Students Click Here

Jobs

303 vs 304 Stainless
3

303 vs 304 Stainless

303 vs 304 Stainless

(OP)
How does type 303 stainless match up with type 304 stainless when considering corrosion properties?  Would 303 be suitable for use in the food processing industry? (eg. equipment in meat packing plants)

RE: 303 vs 304 Stainless

3
303 and 304 share the same basic chemistry except that 303 has added sulfur for machinabilty; the sulfides are solid state lubricants and chip breakers.
 Any sulfide exposed to the surface is a corrosion pit starter. So items made from 303 have poorer corrosion resistance, even if you specify having the optional 0.6% Moly addition. The media in which this corrosion occurs will experience a pick-up in iron ions as a result of the pitting. There is no prohibition against the use of this grade in direct food contact, however. NSF only stipulates a minimum of 16%Cr in the alloys.
 If you want to use 303 but avoid the corrosion, take the final machined part and passivate thoroughly. You can find this procedure at the FAQ's of stainlesscenter.com.

Red Flag This Post

Please let us know here why this post is inappropriate. Reasons such as off-topic, duplicates, flames, illegal, vulgar, or students posting their homework.

Red Flag Submitted

Thank you for helping keep Eng-Tips Forums free from inappropriate posts.
The Eng-Tips staff will check this out and take appropriate action.

Reply To This Thread

Posting in the Eng-Tips forums is a member-only feature.

Click Here to join Eng-Tips and talk with other members!


Resources