Material · SS 304 / SS 316

Stainless Steel

The usual choice for architectural metalwork that must hold a finish, keep its dimensions and stand up to cleaning. Grade 304 covers most interior and sheltered exterior work. Grade 316 has added molybdenum and resists corrosion better near the coast, around pools and where chemicals are used.

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Stainless SteelBright stainless steel sheet, close view, with the workshop lights reflected

Detail

Specifying stainless steel

Properties	Resists corrosion, is strong, and holds a polished or grained finish. The austenitic grades are non-magnetic as supplied; bent areas can become slightly magnetic. It is the only metal in the MCS range that takes PVD.
Where to specify	Profiles and trims, glass housing, lift cladding, kitchen and washroom work, louvers and shingles. Use it for any surface that is touched or cleaned often.
Finishes	Mirror, hairline, matte and bead blast, and every PVD colour: gold, rose gold, champagne and bronze.
Fabrication notes	Stainless steel hardens as it is formed, so the order of the bends matters. A tight ordinary bend marks the visible face. V-grooving avoids that, which is why it works so well on this metal.
304 vs 316	316 costs more. It is worth the extra near salt water or where strong cleaning chemicals are used. In a dry interior that money usually does more good elsewhere in the detail.