| 304 / 304L | Austenitic stainless steel; approximately 18% chromium and 8% nickel. The low-carbon 304L version improves weldability. | Good resistance in normal indoor, urban, and mildly humid environments. | Typically about 205 MPa minimum in annealed sheet or plate specifications. | Generally non-magnetic when annealed; light magnetism may occur after cold forming. | Residential buildings, offices, hotels, schools, hospitals, interior doors, and sheltered exterior entrances. | Widely available, easy to fabricate, attractive surface finish, and a balanced cost-to-performance ratio. | Not the preferred choice for regular seawater splash, heavy chloride exposure, or coastal locations without suitable maintenance. |
| 316 / 316L | Austenitic stainless steel containing molybdenum, commonly around 2–3%, which improves resistance to chlorides and pitting. | Very good resistance in marine air, coastal climates, humid areas, and many chemical-processing environments. | Typically about 205 MPa minimum in annealed sheet or plate specifications. | Generally non-magnetic when annealed; light magnetism may occur after cold forming. | Marine buildings, coastal hotels, waterfront facilities, swimming pools, laboratories, food-processing areas, and exposed exterior doors. | Better chloride resistance and longer service potential than 304 in demanding environments. | Higher material cost; surface contamination, crevices, and poor drainage can still cause staining or corrosion. |
| 316L | Low-carbon version of 316, typically limited to approximately 0.03% carbon, supporting improved weld corrosion resistance. | Very good chloride resistance, with particular benefits where welded components or heat-affected areas are present. | Typically about 170–205 MPa minimum, depending on the applicable product standard. | Generally non-magnetic when annealed; light magnetism may occur after cold forming. | Welded architectural hinges, healthcare projects, marine environments, clean areas, and projects requiring enhanced fabrication reliability. | Reduces the risk of sensitization-related corrosion after welding when appropriate fabrication procedures are used. | The grade alone does not eliminate corrosion risk; welding quality, finishing, cleaning, and installation details remain important. |
| 430 | Ferritic stainless steel, commonly containing about 16–18% chromium and little or no nickel. | Moderate resistance suitable for dry indoor environments and limited humidity. | Typically about 205 MPa minimum in annealed product specifications. | Magnetic. | Interior doors, dry commercial spaces, decorative applications, and projects where controlled indoor conditions are maintained. | Lower nickel dependence, good appearance, and potentially lower material cost than austenitic grades. | Less suitable for coastal, high-humidity, chloride-rich, or continuously wet conditions; forming and welding options are more limited than 304 or 316. |
| 2205 Duplex | Duplex stainless steel with approximately 22% chromium, 5% nickel, and 3% molybdenum; mixed austenitic-ferritic structure. | Excellent resistance to chloride stress-corrosion cracking and pitting compared with standard 300-series grades. | Typically about 450 MPa minimum in annealed product specifications. | Magnetic. | High-load or severe marine projects, offshore facilities, desalination plants, chemical facilities, and exposed infrastructure. | High strength can support robust hinge designs, while corrosion resistance is suitable for severe service conditions. | Higher cost and more demanding fabrication; hinge geometry, welding procedures, and applicable design standards must be verified. |
| 410 | Martensitic stainless steel containing approximately 11.5–13.5% chromium; can be heat treated for increased hardness and strength. | Moderate resistance in dry or mildly corrosive environments; lower than 304 and 316. | Varies considerably with heat treatment; commonly selected for strength and wear resistance rather than maximum corrosion resistance. | Magnetic. | Interior industrial doors, mechanical parts, and applications requiring wear resistance or higher hardness. | Good strength, hardness, and abrasion resistance when correctly heat treated. | Not recommended as a default grade for marine, coastal, or continuously wet door-hinge applications. |