Differences between 304 and 316 stainless steel railings in Singapore

Stainless steel railings are of various shapes and sizes with the commonly used ones being round and square. Each style of LTA railings provides a contemporary look based on their characteristics. Usually, the square railings are known for their contemporary design appeal while the round ones are considered for several applications. It is also possible to achieve the perfect mix and match result by pairing various top rail and infill combinations. If you choose services providing stainless steel railings, then you will get to choose from a wide range of options for your home or office.

Stainless steel railings are a great choice when it comes to outdoor purposes in Singapore. The reason is that stainless steel is highly durable and can withstand extreme weather conditions and stay intact. Also, this material is strong and resistant to rust and corrosion. This makes it long-lasting and durable without requiring much maintenance. Basically, stainless steel railings will add to the aesthetic value of your home and suit both the interior and exterior purposes.

Different grades of stainless steel railings

When it comes to stainless steel railings, there are two grades of stainless steel that are used. Well, the talk is about 304 and 316-grade stainless steel. It is important to choose the right grade of the material depending on the application. For a simple and cost-effective railing solution, the 316-grade stainless steel railings are used for outdoor enclosures than the 304-grade stainless steel. The reason is that the 316-grade stainless steel has high resistance to corrosion and is recommended for applications within five miles of saltwater.

Also Read: Experts in Singapore talk about stainless steel railings for kitchen

316 stainless has a higher corrosion resistance rating. Typically, 316 steel is recommended for any application that is within five miles of saltwater. 304 stainless is acceptable for all other exterior and indoor uses.

It is not possible to know the differences between the two grades of stainless steel railings just by looking at the material. To distinguish between the two, you need an MTR (Material Test Report) of the specific material. You will understand more about the differences between these two stainless steel railings in Singapore grades from here.

304-grade stainless steel railings in Singapore is versatile and durable

Firstly, talking about 304-grade stainless steel, this material comprises 18% chromium and 8% nickel. Also, it has low carbon making it the most versatile material. Eventually, it is one of the widely used austenitic stainless steels. This grade is resistant to corrosion and oxidation making it durable. It is also easy to fabricate and clean this type of stainless steel railings in Singapore. It can be molded to offer a slew of finishes giving a wide variety of customization options. The 304-grade stainless steel railings are used in electrical enclosures that have to be resistant to corrosion. Other common applications of this grade of stainless steel are,

• Storage Tanks
• Exhaust manifolds
• Pressure vessels
• Hose clamps
• Piping
• Kitchen equipment
• Wheel covers

316-grade stainless steel railings can withstand chemicals

On the other hand, the 316-grade stainless steel has 16% chromium, 10% nickel and 2% molybdenum. With the presence of molybdenum, this material possesses the capability to resistant chemicals. Eventually, it is suitable for applications where the stainless steel fabrication services in Singapore will be exposed to several types of chemical corrodents including brine solutions, sea water, etc. The 316-grade stainless steel railings are more durable and relatively much easier to clean, fabricate, weld and design than the 304-grade stainless steel railings.

Moreover, this material is more resistant to solutions containing bromides, chlorides, sulfuric acid, fatty acids, and iodides even at high temperature. Usually, the types of stainless steels that contain molybdenum will be used in the manufacturing of specific pharmaceuticals to prevent excessive metallic contamination.

On comparing with the grade 304 stainless steel, the grade 316 stainless steel will offer benefits such as exceptional resistance to corrosion and resistance to chlorine making it suitable for marine, offshore and washdown applications. Given these benefits, it might be relatively more expensive but it is possible to save a lot of money in the long run, especially if it is used for outdoor purposes as mentioned above. So, the best option for outdoor installations of stainless steel railings, the grade 316 stainless steel should be used in Singapore.