304 Stainless Steel Exhaust Vs 409 Aluminized Stainless

Bolting on a performance exhaust system adds an exciting new tone to your truck. 

But, that sweet song becomes annoying noise as corrosion eats away at your truck exhaust system. If you want the music to last, start with 304 Stainless Steel! 

Water, Sun and Salt is the natural enemy of anything, especially your exhaust system. During proper combustion, water droplets form and drip from the tailpipe. Most of the water is forced out by the exhaust but a fraction of it stays behind—and, moisture and metal don’t mix. This excess water gradually turns your shiny exhaust into ugly-rust from the inside out.

Stainless steel exhaust components help stop your pipes from corroding. But, not all steel is created equal.

Some alloys corrode over time despite the name “stainless”. It doesn’t necessarily mean “stain proof”. Corrosion resistance depends on the content of chromium and nickel found in the alloy.

What is 409 Stainless VS 304 Stainless?

The most frequently used stainless steel in higher end exhaust systems is a 409 Aluminized Stainless Steel Coating. 

Found in many Truck Pipes USA Exhaust parts and many of our exhaust parts, this mixture has enough chromium and nickel to resist corrosion. But, it lacks the strength to be used for fasteners. 

Nothing can match the resistance and all-around toughness 304 Stainless Steel. 

This is the highest quality stainless steel used in the Exhaust World. It is most often found in exhaust tips, Flex and Clamps. It is super tough and nearly impervious to rusting, 304 Stainless Steel has around 20% chromium and 10% nickel content in the alloy. 

In fact, the ferrous metal content is so low that magnets won’t stick to it, so identifying 409 Stainless Steel from 304 Stainless Steel is very easy.

Making the Right Choice

In short, when comparing 304 vs. 409, the best choice is 304. But, both alloys far surpass standard aluminized steel used in factory exhaust systems. There really is no wrong way to go as both a 409 and a 304 exhaust system greatly improve longevity. 

If deciding between the two choices is corroding your confidence, Feel Free to shop our online store for the best choice in Exhaust Pipes.

Visit Us at www.TruckpipesUSA.com

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