304 vs. 316 Stainless Steel Coils for Closed Cooling Towers
The coil is the most important part of a closed cooling tower, and stainless steel is a common material. Two grades are used most often: 304 and 316.
What is the difference?
Both are austenitic stainless steels with good strength and corrosion resistance. 316 adds molybdenum, which improves resistance to chlorides and pitting corrosion.
When 304 is a good choice
- General industrial duty with clean, low-chloride water.
- Projects where cost is a key factor and the environment is mild.
When 316 is the safer choice
- Coastal sites or brackish or high-chloride make-up water.
- Aggressive environments where pitting is a risk.
- Long service life targets in demanding conditions.
Other factors
Water treatment, spray water quality and operating temperature also affect coil life. Tell us your water analysis and site conditions and we can advise on the better option.
Need help choosing? Send your design conditions through the Get a Quote form and an engineer will recommend a model.
