Instrument cabinets are primarily made of stainless steel (such as 304 or 316 stainless steel) and cold-rolled steel.
The choice depends on the environment, load requirements, and budget.
Stainless Steel
304 stainless steel: Resistant to general corrosion, moderately priced, and suitable for general environments such as conventional laboratories and medical facilities.
316 stainless steel: Molybdenum-added, resistant to strong acids and alkalis, suitable for harsh environments such as seawater equipment.
Advantages: Easy to clean, corrosion-resistant, rust-proof, and long service life.
Suitable for: Chemical laboratories, biological laboratories, medical equipment, and other environments requiring high cleanliness.
Cold-rolled steel
Advantages: Costs 30%-50% less than stainless steel, suitable for budget-constrained applications.
Suitable for: General office use, instrument storage cabinets, and other environments where material requirements are less demanding.
Other Metal Options
Aluminum alloy/sheet metal: Suitable for applications such as precision instruments and new energy equipment where weight and heat dissipation are important.
When choosing a material, consider factors such as instrument weight, corrosion resistance, and budget. Is there a significant price difference between 304 and 316 stainless steel?
The price of 316 stainless steel scrap is approximately 1.9-2.1 times that of 304 stainless steel, primarily due to its molybdenum (Mo) content, which provides greater corrosion resistance and makes it suitable for demanding applications such as chemical and medical applications.
In addition, the processing and composition costs of 316 stainless steel are higher than those of 304 stainless steel. In particular, the addition of 2%-3% molybdenum to 316 stainless steel results in significantly higher raw material costs than 304 stainless steel.
Of course, if you are an instrument and equipment manufacturer requiring large-scale custom metal enclosures, you can partner with Mulan Group. With 12 years of sheet metal manufacturing experience, Mulan Group has helped clients in over 30 countries complete the production and processing of various sheet metal parts, earning widespread recognition. We look forward to hearing from you.
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