If you are specifying stainless steel wire mesh in Noida or Delhi NCR, the quick answer is: choose SS 202 for dry, indoor, budget use; SS 304 as the all-purpose grade for most environments; and SS 316 for marine, chemical or chloride environments where SS 304 would pit. The grade decides corrosion resistance and price - and picking the wrong one means rust or wasted money. This guide from Garg Industrial Mesh, Sector 9 Noida, compares the three.
SS 202 vs 304 vs 316 wire mesh comparison
| Property | SS 202 | SS 304 | SS 316 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chromium | ~17% | ~18% | ~16% |
| Nickel | ~4% | ~8% | ~10% |
| Molybdenum | - | - | ~2% |
| Corrosion resistance | Moderate | Excellent | Outstanding (chlorides) |
| Best use | Dry indoor, budget | General, food, outdoor | Marine, chemical, coastal |
| Indicative price | Rs75-95/sqft | Rs95-140/sqft | Rs160-220/sqft |
When to choose SS 202 wire mesh
SS 202 is the budget grade - lower nickel, lower corrosion resistance. It is fine for dry, indoor applications like decorative mesh, indoor sieves and cable screening. It will stain or rust in damp or outdoor conditions, so do not use it for wet, food or outdoor duties.
When to choose SS 304 wire mesh
SS 304 is the genuine all-purpose stainless - excellent corrosion resistance, food-safe, good for outdoor and most chemical contact. It is the default for filtration, security screens, food processing, architectural mesh and general outdoor use. For 80% of applications, SS 304 is the right answer.
When to choose SS 316 wire mesh
SS 316 adds molybdenum, which resists chloride pitting - so it is the choice for marine, coastal, saline and harsh chemical environments where SS 304 would eventually pit and rust. It costs the most, but in a chloride environment nothing else lasts. Use it for seawater, salt spray, pool and harsh chemical duties.
How to choose the right grade
Dry and indoor? SS 202. General, food or outdoor? SS 304. Marine, chloride or harsh chemical? SS 316. The price gap is real, but so is the performance gap - and specifying too low a grade in a harsh environment means premature failure. At Garg Industrial Mesh, Sector 9 Noida, we stock SS 202 and 304 and source SS 316 on order. Tell us the environment and we will specify the grade - call or WhatsApp 9910238277.