Stainless steel bottles, particularly those used for food and beverage storage, are typically made from stainless steel grades that offer a balance of corrosion resistance, durability, and safety. In this article, let’s look into the properties of different types of stainless steel that are commonly used for making stainless steel bottles.
What is the “Grade” of Stainless Steel?
In the context of stainless steel, the term “grade” refers to a specific classification or categorization of stainless steel alloys based on their composition, properties, and intended use. Stainless steel is not a single homogeneous material; rather, it encompasses a wide range of alloys, each designed for specific applications. These alloys are classified into grades to help users and manufacturers select the appropriate stainless steel for their needs.
Grades of Stainless Steel Commonly Used for Stainless Steel Bottles
- 304 Grade Stainless Steel (also known as 18/8 Stainless Steel)
- Composition: 304 stainless steel, also known as 18/8 stainless steel, contains 18% chromium and 8% nickel, which provides excellent corrosion resistance and durability.
- Properties: It is highly corrosion-resistant and can withstand exposure to a wide range of environments, making it suitable for various applications.
- Common Uses: kitchen appliances, food processing equipment, architectural structures, and industrial applications. 304 stainless steel is safe for food and beverage storage, making it the most popular choice for water bottles, reusable coffee cups, and food containers.
- 316 Grade Stainless Steel
- Composition: 316 stainless steel, or marine-grade stainless steel, contains 16-18% chromium, 10-14% nickel, and 2-3% molybdenum, which enhances its corrosion resistance in harsh environments, including exposure to saltwater.
- Properties: It is highly corrosion-resistant, making it ideal for applications where corrosion is a concern, such as marine equipment, pharmaceuticals, and medical devices.
- Common Uses: marine equipment, chemical processing, medical devices, and the food and beverage industry. 316 stainless steel is often used in premium-quality stainless steel bottles designed for outdoor activities, such as camping and boating, where exposure to harsh conditions is a concern.
- 201 Grade Stainless Steel
- Composition: 201 grade stainless steel contains 16% – 18% of Chromium, and 3.5% – 5.5% of Nickel. It contains higher amounts of Manganese (5.5%-7.5%) and Nitrogen, and lower amounts of Nickel than 304 and 316 grades.
- Properties: It offers good corrosion resistance, but not as high as 304 or 316 stainless steel. It is less resistant to pitting and crevice corrosion.
- Common Uses: 201 stainless steel is often used in kitchen appliances, cookware, sinks, and some automotive applications. Since 201 stainless steel is less resistant to corrosion, it is only used to make the outer shell of double wall vacuum insulated bottles rather than the inner shell (which contacts food or drinks directly).
Comparison of 304, 316 and 201 Grade Stainless Steel
| Grade | % of Chromium* | % of Nickel** | % of Manganese | % of Molybdenum | Cost |
| 304 | 18% | 8% | 5.5%～7.5% | – | Medium |
| 316 | 16%~18% | 10%~14% | 2% | – | High |
| 201 | 16%~18% | 3.5%~5.5% | 2% | 2%~3% | Low |
In summary, the grades mentioned above are the most common choices for consumer-oriented stainless steel bottles. As a 10 years+ stainless steel bottle manufacturer, Packshine has rich experience of working with all sorts of materials, contact us now to customize your water bottles.
