The terms 18/8 stainless steel, 18/10 stainless steel, and 18/0 stainless steel may appear strange, but these are common grades of stainless steel. As Prolean Tech, we regularly CNC fabricate these metals for different client projects.
18/10 stainless steel performs better in corrosion resistance, strength, and other factors. 18/8 stainless steel offers a good balance of versatility and strength. 18/0 stainless steel is the easiest to cut and most affordable.
The physical properties of stainless steel are crucial in food and beverage, healthcare, automotive, and construction, among other industries.
If you supply or work with stainless steel parts in these or related industries, you should make such comparisons for these grades. The metals share some properties and capabilities, but they also have notable differences.
Strength-to-weight ratio, corrosion resistance, cost, and surface finish are only some advantages of stainless steel for machining projects.
At ProleanTech, we have immense experience in metal machining and fabrication, having worked with 100+ different materials and advanced processes. Our experienced team of material engineers is ready to provide professional guidance on 18/0 vs 18/10 vs 18/8 stainless steels.
Let us look at the three stainless steel grades in detail.
What Is Stainless Steel And Is It Relevant In Your Projects?
Stainless steel is a popular alloy widely used in different industries for its versatility. The durable material is ideal in different forms including tubes, rods, sheets, plates, and wires.
One of the most notable physical properties of stainless steel is corrosion resistance. Indeed, the metal is also called corrosion-resistant steel (CRES) or inox because it is incredibly corrosion-resistant.
The largest percentage of the alloying elements in stainless steel is chromium at 10.5%. The metal contains other elements such as carbon and nickel.
It is a cost-effective material with good machinability and durability, particularly compared to other materials such as acrylics and plastic. That’s why it is one of the most common materials for kitchen countertops, utensils, and sinks.
Stainless steel for a balcony
Stainless steel is in architecture, military, and chemical processing among other areas. Its superior properties such as strength and corrosion resistance suit these applications.
Stainless steel in a processing plant
Ask ProleanTech for CNC machined stainless steel parts for any of the industries by asking to get a quote today.
What Is 18/8 Stainless Steel And Is It Relevant?
18/8 Stainless Steel
Also called 304-grade stainless steel, 18/8 stainless steel gets its name from its 18% and 8% chromium and nickel composition. The remainder consists of other alloying elements.
As part of the 300 series, 18/8 stainless steel is well-known for its superior corrosion resistance compared to 400 series stainless steel. This and other excellent chemical properties due to the chemical composition noted above make the stainless steel grade widely applicable.
The grade’s excellent mechanical properties enhance relevance in different applications. For instance, the metal’s tensile strength can reach 200,000 psi, which matches the strength requirements of most standard projects.
Another notable property of this stainless steel grade is non-magnetism, which qualifies the metal for applications where magnetic interference is undesirable.
For custom projects, this material offers impressive cold workability. This property makes stainless steel 18/8 suitable in various projects.
Where You Can Use 18/8 Stainless Steel
Kitchen utensils made of 18/8 stainless steel
The versatility of 18/8 stainless steel suits many industries. Among its most popular applications are aerospace, food processing, metallurgical, and chemical industries.
The material is popularly available as wires, rods, bars, tubes, and plates. This makes it a common feature in architectural applications where this diversity of profiles and shapes is valuable.
One of the disadvantages of stainless steel in this category is the relatively high price (Understandable given the premium properties the material offers.
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What is 18/10 Stainless Steel And Is It Suitable For Your Parts?
18/10 Stainless Steel
18/10 stainless steel is a premium-grade stainless steel with nickel and chromium as the main components. It has high corrosion resistance, a shiny appearance, and many other attractive properties that suit many industries.
18/10 stainless steel is named after its 18% chromium and 10% nickel composition, which enhances corrosion resistance and durability.
18/10 stainless steel is a hot-rolling, longlasting, and non-reactive metal. It is easy to clean, hence its wide use in items whose cleanliness is a priority. It is popular in cutlery and kitchenware.
The chromium in stainless steel forms a protective oxide layer that prevents rust, while nickel improves corrosion resistance and enhances the material’s ductility.
This steel grade is also highly moldable and heat resistant. The metals are also non-porous, hence their suitability for high-hygiene environments.
Here Are Some Applications Of 18/10 Stainless Steel
The most prominent property of 18/10 stainless steel is a high level of corrosion resistance. It is a preferred stainless steel grade in medical devices and marine equipment.
A stainless steel countertop for a laboratory
8/10 stainless steel parts are also popular for eating utensils, food storage containers, brewery items, and nuts/washers, where the shiny polished finish is also a big factor. The same applies for jewelry and beauty accessories.
What Is 18/0 Stainless Steel? Can It Support Your Business?
18/0 Stainless Steel
As the name suggests, 18/0 stainless steel contains 18% chromium but insignificant nickel content. The other name for the metal is 430 stainless steel.
The absence of nickel in 18/0 stainless steel makes it less corrosion-resistant than 18/8 or 18/10 stainless steel.
The reduced content of these elements is probably why the grade tends to be more affordable. To add to the affordability advantages of stainless steel, 18/0 stainless steel has a sleek look that makes it suitable in different areas.
Where can you use 18/0 stainless steel?
18/0 stainless steel products are everywhere, starting with commercial kitchens, schools, and hotels. The grade provides corrosion resistance and aesthetic appeal, although it may not be as durable as 18/8 and 18/10.
With a ferritic structure, 18/0 stainless steel is magnetic. This property can be beneficial in magnetic knife holders.
Magnetic Knife Holder
Another popular application is in mid-range cookware and flatware for users looking for visually appealing and corrosion-resistant items to use for the shorter term.
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A Summarized Comparison of 18/8 Stainless Steel, 18/10 Stainless Steel, and 18/0 Stainless Steel
Stainless steels share some properties and capabilities, but there are divergent properties for 18/8 Stainless Steel vs 18/10 vs 18/0. 18/10 has the best features and lasts the longest, but it could be inhibitive in budget terms. 18/8 has the best balance of properties and affordability, while 18/0 is the most affordable while lasting shorter.
We recommend comparisons such as 18/0 vs 18/10 and 18/8 stainless steel vs 18/10 to help determine the most suitable. Our experience with 100+ types of materials helps us effortlessly select the ideal grade for a project.
A summarized comparison table of 18/8 stainless steel vs 18/10 vs 18/0 is below. If unsure about the laser cutting advantages & disadvantages or any other aspect of the stainless steel grades, let us know.
| Grade | Composition | Properties | Ease of cutting | Pros | Cons |
| 18/8 Stainless Steel | 18% Chromium, 8% Nickel | Durable, corrosion-resistant | Clean cut edges but needs high power | Versatility, Strong | Hard to machine/cut |
| 18/10 Stainless Steel | 18% Chromium, 10% Nickel | Stronger, more durable than 18/8 Stainless Steel | Clean cut edges with a high power requirement Good at retaining polish | The best quality among the three | Hard to machine/cut Relatively Pricey |
| 18/0 Stainless Steel | 18% Chromium, 0% Nickel | Magnetic, More affordable | Very easy to laser cut Poses oxidation challenges | Easy to laser cut, relatively affordable | Low corrosion resistance, |
Main Considerations We Make When Fabricating Stainless Steel – A Laser Cutting Scenario
The specific grade, design complexity, and the machining technology can affect the quality of stainless steel parts. Knowing such factors is important for guaranteeing or insisting on suitable machining results.
Prolean Tech has mastered the art of laser cutting stainless steel grades, including the ones discussed in this article. It is an important requirement given that laser-cut materials are common in automotive, healthcare, aerospace, and many other industries.
A good example of laser-cut stainless steel product is brake shims for a car.
Brake shims
Stainless steel is one of the materials machined using the technology as outlined in this guide (Laser Cutting Complete Explained with Process & Manufacturing).
Let’s discuss the main factors in detail below;
What Is The Perfect Type of Material?
There are different characteristics of 18/8 stainless Steel vs 18/10 vs 18/0. These characteristics affect the laser cutting effectiveness, for instance, in terms of heat resistance, so we have to determine if a material suits a laser cutting method.
Is The Material Thickness Right?
The thickness of the material determines the ideal laser-cutting machine setting. Thicker stainless steel sheets require slower cutting speed, which affects power consumption and the overall cost of laser cutting services.
Is The Laser Cutting Technology Appropriate?
The key to producing the right cut type and quality part is to use the right laser cutting technology. The most common laser-cutting technologies are fiber lasers and CO2 lasers.
A CNC laser-cutting machine
For fine cuts on stainless steel, we use the less energy-intensive fiber lasers. However, thicker stainless steel workpieces prompt us to use CO2 lasers, which have good accuracy, but they consume more energy.
These cutting technologies have more to offer, as explained in this guide (Choosing Between CO₂ and Fiber Lasers – A Complete Guide).
How Complex is the Design?
Complex stainless steel parts
The complexity of your designs can dictate our stainless steel laser cutting approach. The laser cutting technology can be limited here, but ProleanTech is familiar with those limits.
If a layout demands specific laser cut tooling and conditions, our experts will go to all lengths to meet those requirements. That means adjusting cutting parameters such as laser concentration and intensity.
Knowing the requirements of stainless steel designs and manufacturing, Prolean Tech can effortlessly produce parts accurately and repetitively. If you require custom laser-cut parts for 18/10, 18/8, or 18/0 stainless steel, contact with ProleanTech experts now.
Conclusion
After looking at the 18/8 Stainless Steel vs 18/10 vs 18/0 in detail, you can choose one for your parts without confusion. As the properties, pros, and cons have shown, the choice will largely depend on your project.
For instance, if you are looking for the highest durability, 18/10 and 18/8 stainless steel parts would be preferable. If budget is the biggest concern, then 18/0 stainless steel is the perfect option.
Do you need further help on which stainless steel to use? Are you interested in the most professional and cost effective laser cutting services? Contact our experts today!
FAQs
Which is better 18/10, 18/8, or 18/0 stainless steel?
The choice depends on the application of the stainless steel. 18/0 stainless steel is ideal for low-cost applications, 18/8 stainless steel is best for affordability, corrosion resistance, and strength, 18/10 stainless steel works best for corrosion resistance and luster.
Is 18-10 the best stainless steel for cookware?
Yes, 18/10 is among the most preferred stainless steel for cookware. It has excellent corrosion resistance and a shiny finish, properties that are popular for high-end cookware.
What is the best grade of stainless steel?
The best grade of stainless steel depends on the specific application. If it is for general use where a balance of properties is required, 18/8 and 18/10 are preferable.
316 stainless steel is perfect for marine, medical, and other environments ridden with chemicals and corrosive materials.
A great option for affordable kitchenware with minimal corrosion resistance is 18/0 stainless steel.
Is 18-10 flatware better than 18 0?
Yes, 18/10 flatware is better than 18/0 if you consider important factors such as corrosion resistance and durability.
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