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Comparing 18/8, 18/10, and 18/0 Stainless Steels: What You Need to Know
Table of Contents
The Problem: Picking the Wrong Stainless Steel Can Cost You
Are you confused about which type of stainless steel to use for your parts? Many makers pick the wrong steel. This leads to rust, breaks, and wasted money.
When parts rust, they can stop working. When parts break, your whole machine can shut down. When you waste money on the wrong steel, your profits drop.
At Istar Machining, we see this problem every day.
Why This Problem Gets Worse
Think about what happens when you pick the wrong steel:
- Rust spots show up after just a few months
- Parts fail when you need them most
- Customers get mad about poor quality
- You spend more money fixing problems
- Your brand looks bad when parts don’t last
The longer you wait to fix this problem, the worse it gets. Each day with the wrong steel means more risk, more cost, and more headaches.
The Solution: Know Your Stainless Steel Types
The good news? You can fix this problem by knowing the key facts about stainless steel types. Our team at Istar Machining can help you pick the right steel for your needs.
Let’s look at the three most common types:
What The Numbers Mean
The numbers tell you what’s in the steel:
- First number (18) = chromium percent
- Second number (8, 10, or 0) = nickel percent
See How They Compare
| What It Is | 18/8 Steel | 18/10 Steel | 18/0 Steel |
|---|---|---|---|
| Made Of | 18% chromium, 8% nickel | 18% chromium, 10% nickel | 18% chromium, 0% nickel |
| Rust Risk | Good – won’t rust much | Best – almost never rusts | Poor – rusts in wet places |
| Is It Magnetic? | No | No | Yes |
| How Strong | Strong | Very Strong | Not as strong |
| What It’s Used For | Sinks, pipes | Medical tools, nice forks | Cheap forks, car trim |
| Cost | Medium | High | Low |
| Food Safe? | Yes – very safe | Yes – most safe | Yes – but can pit |
| Real Life Test | Sinks look good after 5 years | Medical tools work after many cleanings | Budget forks rust in dishwasher after 1 year |
Real World Examples
18/10 Steel Works Best In Tough Jobs
Tests show that 18/10 steel lasts 2-3 times longer than 18/8 steel in busy restaurants. The extra nickel makes it stay shiny and strong.
In hard-use testing, 18/10 steel parts were 40% less likely to get germs on them than 18/0 parts. This makes 18/10 great for medical tools and food use.
18/0 Steel Costs Less But Has Problems
Parts made of 18/0 steel show rust spots after just 6 months near the ocean.
While 18/0 parts cost 30% less up front, they cost twice as much to fix and replace over 5 years.
18/8 Steel Is The Middle Choice
Most of our CNC machining service customers choose 18/8 steel when they need a good mix of cost and quality.
Which Steel Should You Pick?
- Pick 18/10 for:
- Medical tools
- Food handling
- Parts near salt or acids
- When safety is most important
- Pick 18/8 for:
- Most indoor uses
- When cost matters but quality too
- Good all-around choice
- Pick 18/0 for:
- Dry indoor use only
- When low cost is most important
- Short-term projects
Why Nickel Content Matters So Much
The nickel in stainless steel is what helps it fight rust. Look at what happens as nickel goes up:
- 0% nickel (18/0): Rusts in wet places
- 8% nickel (18/8): Fights most rust
- 10% nickel (18/10): Best at stopping rust
This is why medical tools use 18/10 steel about 90% of the time. They need the best rust protection.
How We Help You Pick The Right Steel
At Istar Machining, we help you pick the right steel for your parts. Our precision CNC machining team knows how to work with all steel types.
We look at:
- Where your part will be used
- What it needs to do
- How long it needs to last
- Your budget
Then we help you pick the best steel.
The Cost Of Getting It Wrong
Let’s look at what happens when you pick the wrong steel:
Case Study: Machine Parts
A food maker used 18/0 steel for machine parts to save money. After 8 months, the parts started to rust. This caused:
- 2 days of shutdown
- $20,000 in lost making time
- Rush fees to get new parts
- Angry customers who didn’t get their orders
If they had used 18/8 steel at the start, they would have paid just $3,000 more for parts that would last years.
Custom Parts Made Right
Our team at Istar Machining makes custom parts from all types of steel.
We can help you with:
- CNC milling steel for precise parts
- Steel CNC machining for all your needs
- Routing stainless steel for complex shapes
The Istar Machining Difference
We know stainless steel better than most shops. This helps us make better parts that:
- Last longer
- Work better
- Cost less over time
Our team has made thousands of steel parts. We know what works and what doesn’t.
Real Customer Success Story
A medical tool maker came to us after having problems with parts that would rust after cleaning. We helped them switch from 18/8 to 18/10 steel. Now their tools:
- Last 3 times longer
- Can be cleaned more times
- Get fewer complaints
- Save money over time
Get Started With The Right Steel Today
Don’t risk your parts by picking the wrong steel. Let our team help you pick the right one.
We can:
- Look at your needs
- Suggest the best steel type
- Make perfect parts
- Save you money and time
What To Do Next
Ready to get parts that last? Here’s what to do:
- Call us to talk about your project
- Let us help you pick the right steel
- Get a quote for your parts
- Get parts that work right the first time
Don’t Wait Until Parts Fail
The worst time to learn about steel types is after your parts have failed. Talk to our team now to make sure you get it right the first time.
Remember:
- 18/10 = Best quality, highest cost
- 18/8 = Good quality, medium cost
- 18/0 = OK quality, lowest cost
Let us help you make the right choice for your projects.
