Understanding Stainless Steel Grades
When selecting materials for premium drinkware, two stainless steel grades dominate the market: SUS 304 (18/8) and SUS 316 (18/10). Both are food-grade austenitic stainless steels, but they differ in composition and performance.
SUS 304 (18/8) Stainless Steel
SUS 304 contains 18% chromium and 8% nickel. It offers excellent corrosion resistance for everyday beverage use, is highly formable, and provides the best cost-to-performance ratio for mass-produced drinkware. It meets FDA, LFGB, and California Prop 65 requirements.
SUS 316 (18/10) Stainless Steel
SUS 316 adds 2-3% molybdenum to the alloy, significantly enhancing resistance to chloride pitting and crevice corrosion. This makes it ideal for marine environments, acidic beverages, and medical-grade applications where superior durability justifies the higher material cost.
Which Should You Choose?
For standard drinkware lines targeting consumers, SUS 304 delivers outstanding value and compliance. Reserve SUS 316 for premium product tiers, specialized outdoor/marine markets, or when your brand positioning demands the highest material specification.
