304 vs 316 — Reading the Alloy Sheet Through the Nickel Lens
Quick Summary
304 carries 8–9% nickel; 316 adds 2–3% molybdenum and 10–11% nickel. With nickel up 10.35% year-on-year at 16,680 USD/t, the cost gap between the two grades widens on the nickel line alone.
The Question Behind the Grade
"Should I specify 304 or 316?" is the most common technical question buyers ask. The answer lives in the alloy sheet; and in 2026, the nickel line decides much of the cost.
The Chemistry, Side by Side
| Element | 304 (S30400) | 316 (S31600) | What it does |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nickel (Ni) | 8–9% | 10–11% | Austenite stability, toughness |
| Chromium (Cr) | 18–20% | 16–18% | Corrosion resistance |
| Molybdenum (Mo) | , | 2–3% | Pitting/crevice resistance in chlorides |
| Carbon (max) | 0.08% | 0.08% | 316L drops to 0.03% |
Cost Through the Nickel Lens
At 16,680.13 USD/t nickel (Aug 6, 2026, +10.35% YoY):
| Grade | Ni per tonne | Ni value | Mo per tonne | Mo value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 304 | ~85 kg | ~1,418 USD | 0 | 0 |
| 316 | ~105 kg | ~1,751 USD | ~25 kg | ~+ (Mo premium) |
| Delta | +20 kg | +333 USD | , | , |
*Molybdenum carries its own market premium; the nickel line alone adds ~333 USD/t of cost to 316 versus 304.
When the Extra Cost Buys Protection
| Environment | 304 | 316 |
|---|---|---|
| Indoor / urban | ✓✓✓ | ✓✓ |
| Marine / chloride | ✗ (pitting risk) | ✓✓✓ |
| Chemical / acid clean | ✓✓ | ✓✓✓ |
| Budget constraint | ✓✓✓ | ✓ |
How to Choose
- No chloride exposure → 304 is the rational default; the 333 USD/t nickel delta is cost you do not need to spend.
- Coastal, chemical, or hygienic-with-aggressive-cleaners → 316 earns its premium through corrosion life, instead of just spec.
- Watch the nickel trend. At +10.35% YoY, the 304/316 cost gap is wider than a year ago, justify 316 on environment rather than on habit.
The Bottom Line
304 and 316 are not "better or worse", they are different bets. Read the alloy sheet, read the environment, and in 2026, read the nickel price before you default to 316.
Related: Nickel Pulls Back to $16,680, Stainless Cost Pressure · China Steel Prices Slip Year-on-Year
