SS 304 — the default
SS 304 is the food-industry default: excellent corrosion resistance in most environments, good high-temperature performance up to about 800 °C intermittent, and readily available. Use it for bakery, general food processing and light-duty heat.
SS 316 — the chloride specialist
SS 316 adds molybdenum, which dramatically improves resistance to chlorides. Use it for seafood, brine-heavy food lines, seaside plants and pharmaceutical applications where CIP chemistry is aggressive.
SS 314 — the high-temperature grade
SS 314 is a heat-resistant grade suited to continuous service around 900–1,050 °C. It is the default for heat treatment furnaces, ceramics kilns and steel-plant belts. SS 310 replaces it where oxidising atmospheres are more severe.
How to decide in practice
Start with SS 304. Escalate to SS 316 if chlorides are present or CIP chemistry is aggressive. Escalate to SS 314 or SS 310 if continuous temperature exceeds 800 °C. When in doubt, ask the supplier for the material rationale, not a shrug.
