304 or 316 SS.. Question?

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I'm welding some trim rings for a friend out of SS and then I will polish it.I'm wondering if there is a difference in the finished look of 304 SS and 316 SS?Also wondering if I settle on 316 SS, can I get by with welding it with a 309 filler rod and have no visible difference when polished?
Reply:309 on the 316 is going to give you a minor color mismatch when high polished where do you live ? i will (can) send you some 316L filler 304 and 316 polish up about the same atleast when they are electro polishedMiller Xmt 350Lincoln Ln-25Ahp 200xSmith Gas Mixer AR/HTig is my Kung FuThrowing down dimes and weaving aboutInstagram http://instagram.com/[email protected]
Reply:I never have been able to tell the difference between the two regarding appearance. 304 is the cheaper of the 2. 309 filler is ok, but 308L or 316L is fine depending which you use.Weld like a "WELDOR", not a wel-"DERR" MillerDynasty700DX,Dynasty350DX4ea,Dynasty200DX,Li  ncolnSW200-2ea.,MillerMatic350P,MillerMatic200w/spoolgun,MKCobraMig260,Lincoln SP-170T,PlasmaCam/Hypertherm1250,HFProTig2ea,MigMax1ea.
Reply:309 filler is usually used for dissimilar metals; i.e. carbon to stainless.  I would use 316L filler.  As for 304ss and 316ss they will polish out the same.seabee78
Reply:Originally Posted by seabee78309 filler is usually used for dissimilar metals; i.e. carbon to stainless.  I would use 316L filler.  As for 304ss and 316ss they will polish out the same.seabee78
Reply:I believe 316 is significantly more expensive than 304 is... At least dependent upon supplier pricing anyway.  We sell units made from 304 typically, but we jump to 316 when there is a higher corrosion risk and/or the customer asks for it.  We do however weld with 316L filler rod.  Similar to what is stated above, I've only used 309 for joining mild carbon to stainless.  I'll use it once in awhile on cast iron parts.Little Off Topic... CGCINC, I sent you a PM recently... Not sure if it was delivered though with the forum update.  Did you happen to receive it by chance?  Scott
Reply:Seiler
Reply:If you have 309 on hand then it would be sufficient. Since it isn't structural and it seems to be in a relatativly mile environment 316 would be an overkill unless you needed 316 filler rod for other reasons.
Reply:Originally Posted by boatwelderIf you have 309 on hand then it would be sufficient. Since it isn't structural and it seems to be in a relatativly mile environment 316 would be an overkill unless you needed 316 filler rod for other reasons.
Reply:316 normally will polish out better then 304. the 316 will maintain the polished look longer and better then the 304. I would use 316L filler to reduce the mismatch in color.