Why Use Marine Grade Stainless Steel
Most people know that stainless steel is the ideal material for building outdoor cabinets. Its combination of durability, structural vitality, corrosion resistance, lustrous surface, and cost-effectiveness make it the perfect choice for crafting a long-lasting and beautiful outdoor living area. What many people may not know is that stainless steel comes in many varieties and levels of quality. Marine Grade Stainless Steel is a special type of stainless steel that is formulated to last in outdoor environments, where harsh weather and environmental contaminants can corrode most other grades of stainless steel at a rate of up to 0.002" per year.
Marine Grade Stainless Steel (also known as 316L) contains at least 20% more Nickel than its more commonly used counterpart, 304 stainless steel. This added Nickel allows the Marine Grade Stainless Steel to resist corrosion even more and the large amount of Chromium in its formula allows it to quickly build a passive layer of protection like a shield around all the exposed surfaces of our cabinets, countertops, and sinks. Molybdenum is also added to the formula to intensify its ability to resist corrosion, especially corrosion caused by salt water and commonly used household cleaning products.
| Material Type | Carbon | Chromium | Nickel | Molybdenum | Magnetic |
| 430 stainless steel | 12% max | 16%-18% | 0% | 0% | Yes |
| 304 stainless steel | 8% max | 18%-20% | 8%-10% | 0% | No |
| 316L stainless steel | 3% max | 16%-18% | 10%-14% | 2.0%-3.0% | No |
Carbon
- Higher content induces more rusting
- Small amounts keep materials pliable enough for processing into products
Chromium
- Bonds with oxygen to create a shield around the entire surface
- Creates a lustrous surface that can be polished
- Used to produce superalloys
- Excellent anti-corrosion properties
Nickel
- Bonds with oxygen to create a shield around the entire surface
- Creates a lustrous surface that can be polished
- Even higher anti-corrosive properties, even in hot climates
Molybdenum
- Extremely high melting point
- Extremely resistant to salt corrosion
- Used to produce structural steels as well as stainless steel because of its high strength
- Used to produce superalloys
If you have any questions please contact us.
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