Which material do you prefer to use in a weld-el header? I'm currently building headers from 304/304L 1.5" stainless and am wonder if I should make a change to 316 stainless steel? It cost more, but I've heard it is more corrosion resistant then 304???

Heres an intersting PDF I just found comparing 304 to 316:

http://www.mksinst.com/pdf/tub...el%22

Regards,
Justin

 

use inconel

 

That is exactly what I have seen from other sources as well.

304 is just fine for thick tubular manifolds like the ones we make. There really is no benefit for paying the extra $ for the 316. However, one might argue that there is a benefit to 321 or inconel, but then the price factor comes into play.

 

I was under the impresion that 316 was for medical aplication and its more compatable with the body. It might actualy be less desirable in an application such as an exhaust manifold.

good luck!

 

i heard that its possible for 304 to still rust (my manifold hasnt, its 304) and its not possible for 316. i personally have never seen a 304 rust (its stainless so i dont see why it would rust)

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by CarTunr22 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I was under the impresion that 316 was for medical aplication and its more compatable with the body. It might actualy be less desirable in an application such as an exhaust manifold.

good luck!</TD></TR></TABLE>

316 is preferred when it comes to medical uses but there would be nothing wrong with using it for an exhaust manifold (other than the obvious price difference). 316 is more corrosive resistant when it comes to harsher chemical environments as well as when salt water and heat are combined (example: boat exhausts) than 304. The addition of molybdenum in 316 is one of the reasons it is more corrosive resistant and a better choice in some applications.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 90DALS &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">i heard that its possible for 304 to still rust (my manifold hasnt, its 304) and its not possible for 316. i personally have never seen a 304 rust (its stainless so i dont see why it would rust)</TD></TR></TABLE>

304 will corrode when placed in too harsh of an environment. Actually, some of the most exotic of "super alloys" (hastalloy, monel, inconel, etc) will corrode depending on the environment.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by mbpwrx &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">316 is preferred when it comes to medical uses but there would be nothing wrong with using it for an exhaust manifold (other than the obvious price difference). 316 is more corrosive resistant when it comes to harsher chemical environments as well as when salt water and heat are combined (example: boat exhausts) than 304. The addition of molybdenum in 316 is one of the reasons it is more corrosive resistant and a better choice in some applications. </TD></TR></TABLE>

Thanks for clearing that up!