​What is the advantage of 304 stainless steel? It is so popular

What is the advantage of 304 stainless steel? It is so popular

304 stainless steel is beautiful. It occupies a large part of our daily life, including stainless steel cups, stainless steel kitchenware, stainless steel home appliances, etc. Its application possibilities are diverse. Due to its corrosion resistance, high strength, and durable compressive strength, which are superior to ordinary steel, it is easy to clean and has good aesthetics, attracting people's attention. Therefore, 304 stainless steel is very popular in many fields!

So, what exactly is 304 stainless steel? To understand 304 stainless steel, it is necessary to understand stainless steel.

Stainless steel does not refer to a specific type of material, but rather a broad category. Currently, there are hundreds of stainless steel materials available in the market, used in various industries. For stainless steel, chromium is the element that prevents rusting, while nickel provides corrosion resistance.

Stainless steel can maintain its luster and resist rusting in the air, primarily due to its content of chromium alloy elements (not less than 10.5%). Chromium alloy elements form an oxide film on the surface of steel that is insoluble in certain media. When combined with nickel elements, the performance of stainless steel is further enhanced. It exhibits excellent chemical stability in various aqueous solutions of acids, alkalis, and salts, allowing it to maintain its corrosion resistance even in high or low temperature environments.

304 stainless steel is a chromium-nickel stainless steel. 304 is a grade of stainless steel produced in accordance with the American ASTM specifications and is considered food-grade stainless steel. The most important elements in 304 stainless steel are Cr and Ni, but it is not limited to these two elements. The industry commonly believes that as long as the Cr content is greater than 18% and the Ni content is greater than 8%, it can be considered as 304 stainless steel. This is also why the industry refers to this type of stainless steel as 18/8 stainless steel.

Firstly, 304 stainless steel exhibits stronger corrosion resistance. Due to its chromium-to-nickel ratio of 18:8, a dense oxide film is formed on the surface of the stainless steel, which can prevent the internal iron material from coming into contact with oxygen, thus avoiding rusting of the stainless steel caused by oxidation.

Secondly, products made of 304 stainless steel are superior in safety compared to those made of other materials. This is mainly due to the unstable performance of stainless steel products such as 201 and 202, which may easily rust after a period of use. Manganese is commonly found in rust, and excessive intake of manganese by the human body can damage the nervous system, leading to memory loss or mental fatigue. However, the more stable performance of 304 stainless steel ensures its safety in use.

In addition, 304 stainless steel products are not only safer but also more beneficial to health. Some nutritionists point out that a long-term lack of trace elements such as chromium and nickel in the diet can increase the risk of diabetes and cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. Since 304 stainless steel contains a certain amount of chromium and nickel, long-term use of 304 stainless steel kitchenware can bring great benefits to the elderly, especially those who suffer from such diseases, as well as to adolescents.