Which Stainless Steel Has Higher Hardness, 316 Or 304?

304 stainless steel has high hardness.

Hardness of 304 stainless steel: ≤201HBW≤92HRB≤210HV.

Hardness of 316 stainless steel: ≤187HBS≤90HRB≤200HV.

Based on the above values under different hardness standards, it can be clearly seen that the hardness of 304 stainless steel is generally higher than that of 316 stainless steel.

However, it should be noted that although 304 stainless steel has a slight advantage in hardness, 316 stainless steel performs better in corrosion resistance, especially in environments containing chloride ions.

In addition to hardness, the performance of stainless steel is also affected by many other factors, such as alloy composition, cold working hardening, heat treatment process, etc. These factors also need to be considered comprehensively in practical applications.

Therefore, when choosing 304 or 316 stainless steel, it is necessary to weigh its hardness, corrosion resistance and other performance characteristics according to the specific use environment and needs.