The Steel
The whole Angelia 5500 is made of SUS 304, utilising antibacterial stainless. It is the strongest stainless juicer in the world.
Stainless Steel – Grade 304
Grade 304 is the standard "18/8" stainless; it is the most versatile and most widely used stainless steel, available in a wider range of products, forms and finishes than any other. It has excellent forming and welding characteristics. The balanced austenitic structure of Grade 304 enables it to be severely deep drawn without intermediate annealing, which has made this grade dominant in the manufacture of drawn stainless parts such as sinks, hollow-ware and saucepans.
The Difference Between 316 Stainless Steel and 304 Stainless Steel
A good quality stainless steel cookware is constructed of 304 Surgical Stainless Steel. Some companies use 316 Surgical Stainless Steel which costs more but has no added value when cooking.
Type 304 is the most common of austenitic grades, containing normally, 20% chromium or more and 10% nickel, combined with a maximum of 0.08% carbon. It is used for chemical processing equipment, for food, dairy, and beverage industries, for heat exchangers, and for the milder chemicals.
In the cookware industry the 304 surgical stainless steel is most often used in the manufacturing process. Grade 304 is the material specified more than 50% of the time whenever a stainless steel product is manufactured. It is suited for all types of dairy equipment – milking machines, containers, homogenizers, sterilizers, and storage and hauling tanks, including piping, valves, milk trucks and railroad cars. Because of the ability of 304 surgical stainless steel to withstand the corrosive action of various acids found in fruits, meats, milk, and vegetables, it is more often than not used for sinks, tabletops, coffee urns, stoves, refrigerators, milk and cream dispensers, and steam tables. In the marine environment, because of it's slightly higher strength and wear resistance than type 316, 304 is also used for nuts, bolts, and screws. In the official opinion of this company, type 304 surgical stainless steel is better for cooking utensils because of their constant use. We believe that strength and wear resistance are important factors in this industry.
Type 316 contains 16% to 18% chromium and 11% to 14% nickel. 316 has molybdenum added to the nickel and chrome of the 304. Type 316 is used in chemical processing, in the pulp and paper industry, for food and beverage processing and dispensing. Grade 316 is the main stainless steel used in the marine environment, with the exception of screws, bolts, nuts, and other fasteners where strength and wear resistance are needed, then Grade 304 is typically used.
Grade 316 stainless steel is really only necessary in the most demanding circumstances, and it is quite a bit more expensive. Unless there is a very specific requirement for one type, why bother with the cost, weight, etc.
Sources: Atlas Steels Australiahttp://www.atlassteels.com.au/
http://www.angelfire.com/az2/waterless/304_316.html