Ronnie Brown

By: Ronnie Brown on November 4th, 2022

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347 Stainless Steel vs 304 Stainless Steel: Comparing Wire Mesh Alloys

Wire Mesh | Filtration

 

 

In the world of woven wire mesh, stainless steel stands as the most predominant alloy used to weave versatile material. The balance between durability, cost-effectiveness, and availability stainless steel delivers allows you to best maintain the efficiency of your wire mesh application.

But just like any other metal alloy, stainless steel comes in several variants, each with its own beneficial qualities. This can make choosing between options, such as 347 stainless steel and 304 stainless steel, difficult.

That said, what exactly are the differences between 347 stainless steel and 304 stainless steel?

W.S. Tyler has been weaving wire mesh solutions for over 150 years and is dedicated to helping you make heads or tails of the mesh specifications you need to improve the products you offer.

With that in mind, the following article was written to establish the key differences between 347 stainless steel and 304 stainless steel so you can design the best possible wire mesh solution. It will cover:

  • The definition of 347 stainless steel
  • The benefits of using 347 stainless steel wire mesh
  • The definition of 304 stainless steel
  • The benefits of using 304 stainless steel wire mesh
  • The differences between 347 stainless steel and 304 stainless steel

 

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What Is 347 Stainless Steel?

347 stainless steel is a member of the 300-series stainless steel family and is classified as an austenitic alloy. This means there is a large presence of nickel and chromium.

That said, 347 stainless steel contains nickel, chromium, manganese, carbon, silicon, sulfur, niobium, and phosphorus. This chemical makeup enables the alloy to provide stability superior to most 300-series stainless alloys.

 

What Is 347 Stainless Steel Used For?

347 stainless steel is generally used when the applications calls for specific corrosion-resistant requirements. This is because the alloy has come to be known for its ability to inhibit carbide precipitation.

As a result, it provides favorable corrosion resistance, particularly when intergranular corrosion is a concern.

347 stainless steel is also often used when wire mesh must be welded. The inclusion of niobium allows 347 stainless steel to maintain stable performance during and after welding.

 

What Is 304 Stainless Steel?

304 stainless steel is an austenitic alloy known for its pliability when forming wire mesh components. It is considered the most common form of stainless steel; however, 316 stainless steel is the most commonly used stainless steel alloy when weaving wire mesh.

On a molecular level, 304 stainless steel consists of nickel, manganese, carbon, phosphorus, chromium, silicon, and sulfur.

 

What Is 304 Stainless Steel Used For?

304 stainless steel is a favorable wire mesh alloy when atmospheric corrosion is a concern. This resistance to corrosion also allows the stainless steel variant to maintain peak performance when subjected to oxidizing acids.

This is partially true when operating in extreme temperatures, as it is known to deliver heat resistance superior to similar stainless steel alloys.

Possibly the most appealing benefit of using 304 stainless steel is the cost-effective durability it delivers. This allows those using 304 stainless steel wire mesh to subject the mesh to high-stress applications and repeated cleaning.

This helps to ensure your wire mesh solution stands the test of time.

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How Do 347 and 304 Stainless Steel Compare?

As stated above, 304 stainless steel is more widely used than 347 stainless steel. This is particularly true when your wire mesh must be welded, as 304 stainless steel offers better value when comparing weldability attributes to material cost.

Having said that, it should be noted that 347 will deliver better performance when subjected to corrosive atmospheres and high temperatures. This is mainly due to the increased chromium levels in 347 stainless steel, which makes it stronger and more resistant to corrosion.

 

Achieve Optimal Results With the Right Weave Type

Members of the 300-series stainless steel family, 347 and 304 stainless steel are both great options when wire mesh must be welded. Now, while 304 stainless steel offers superior weldability, 347 will perform better in corrosive, high-heat environments.

But finding a wire mesh alloy that can withstand the elements of the application is just one of many steps needed to design an efficient wire mesh solution. You must also identify a weave type that can complement your wire mesh alloy so you can achieve peak flow rate and throughput.

Having helped customers navigate the wire mesh industry for over 150 years, W.S. Tyler strives to support you in your endeavors so you can develop products that you and your organization can proudly stand behind.

To learn about the weave types you can use to weave your next wire mesh solutions, read the following article:

About Ronnie Brown

Ronnie is the Content Writer for W.S. Tyler and has four years of experience as a professional writer. He strives to expand his knowledge on all things particle analysis and woven wire mesh to leverage his exceptional writing and graphic design skills, creating a one-of-a-kind experience for customers.