The corrosion resistance of different stainless steel types varies significantly due to differences in alloy composition and microstructure. This article analyzes these variations by examining the roles of chromium, nickel, molybdenum, and other alloying elements, along with metallographic characteristics.

304 Stainless Steel
With a typical composition of 18% chromium and 8-10.5% nickel, 304 stainless steel relies on chromium to form a dense passive oxide film that provides basic corrosion resistance. In moderately humid environments—such as inland airports (high humidity but low corrosive contaminants)—properly treated 304 can maintain its integrity with minimal corrosion. However, its limitations become apparent in high-chloride or saline environments, where chloride ions can penetrate and disrupt the passive film, leading to localized corrosion.

316L Stainless Steel
As a low-carbon variant of 316 (carbon content ≤0.03%), 316L minimizes susceptibility to intergranular corrosion. The addition of 2-3% molybdenum further enhances its performance—molybdenum ions stabilize the passive film, significantly improving resistance to pitting and crevice corrosion in chloride-rich environments. This makes 316L ideal for coastal marine atmospheres or hygienic applications involving direct food contact, where it outperforms 304 under aggressive conditions.

2205 Duplex Stainless Steel
Combining austenitic and ferritic microstructures, 2205 duplex steel merges the toughness of austenitic grades with the chloride stress-corrosion resistance of ferritic steels. In humid, chloride-laden environments, it exhibits superior resistance to pitting, crevice corrosion, and stress-corrosion cracking. Compared to 316L, duplex steels can reduce material costs by 30-40% for equivalent corrosion performance while offering higher strength-to-weight advantages—though their fabrication requires precise process control due to greater forming complexity.

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