Stainless Steel Casting Grades: 304, 316L, Duplex 2205 & 2507
Shunye Casting works with a range of stainless steel grades for investment casting. This guide compares common casting grades to help you choose the right material for your application.
Common Casting Grades
Austenitic: 304, 316, 316L, CF8, CF8M
Duplex: 2205 (1.4462), 2507 (1.4410)
Carbon/Alloy: Carbon steel, alloy steel
304 / CF8 Stainless Steel Casting
Characteristics: General-purpose austenitic stainless steel. Good corrosion resistance, good formability, and affordable.
Typical applications: Food equipment, general hardware, pump and valve parts for mild environments.
316 / 316L / CF8M Stainless Steel Casting
Characteristics: Contains molybdenum for improved corrosion resistance, especially against chlorides. 316L is the low-carbon version for better weldability.
Typical applications: Marine hardware, chemical processing, pump and valve parts for corrosive environments.
Duplex 2205 (1.4462) Casting
Characteristics: Duplex stainless steel with both austenitic and ferritic microstructure. Higher strength than austenitic grades, excellent corrosion resistance.
Typical applications: Marine components, chemical processing, offshore equipment, high-pressure valves.
Super Duplex 2507 (1.4410) Casting
Characteristics: Super duplex stainless steel with even higher chromium and molybdenum content. Outstanding corrosion resistance and high strength.
Typical applications: Seawater applications, chemical processing, desalination equipment, offshore oil and gas.
How to Choose the Right Grade
- Mild environment, budget-conscious: 304 / CF8
- Corrosive environment, marine/chemical: 316L / CF8M
- High strength + corrosion resistance: Duplex 2205
- Extreme corrosion, seawater/offshore: Super Duplex 2507
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between 304 and 316 stainless steel casting?
316 contains molybdenum, which provides better corrosion resistance, especially against chlorides and saltwater. 304 is more affordable for general applications.
Can you cast duplex stainless steel?
Yes, we can cast duplex 2205 and super duplex 2507 stainless steel castings for demanding applications.
What is CF8 and CF8M?
CF8 and CF8M are casting grades equivalent to 304 and 316 respectively. They are commonly used in pump and valve castings.
Need Material Advice?
Send your application details and we will recommend the most cost-effective material. We provide material consultation as part of our OEM casting service.