In short
INOX 304 (1.4301, AISI 304) is the general medical sector standard — resistant to alcohol, most QAC agents, low-concentration chlorides. INOX 316L (1.4404, AISI 316L) additionally has 2-3% molybdenum — withstands higher chloride concentrations (above 1000 ppm), cytostatics, biology, implantology, aggressive veterinary disinfectants. Price: 316L is 18-25% more expensive, but in some sectors it is the only option. Back to 6 standards →
Sterile-compounding pharmacist prepares a cytostatic dose. GMP Annex 1 Class B, disinfectants used: 70% alcohol (daily), sporal A (2× daily), 6% hydrogen peroxide (3× weekly). PE/PP plastic breaks after 12 months, INOX 304 dispensers receive minor surface damage from peroxide at contact points. Dispensers in INOX 316L withstand the full disinfection regime without surface changes for 15+ years. For the cytostatic preparation room the difference between 304 and 316L is the difference between 18 months of operation and 18 years.
INOX 304 vs INOX 316L — side-by-side
| Parameter | INOX 304 (1.4301) | INOX 316L (1.4404) |
|---|---|---|
| Composition | Cr 18%, Ni 8% | Cr 17%, Ni 12%, Mo 2-3% |
| Alcohol / IPA resistance | Full | Full |
| Chlorine resistance (up to 1000 ppm) | Indefinite | Indefinite |
| Chlorine resistance (1000-5000 ppm) | Possible corrosion after 12-18 months | Indefinite without corrosion |
| 6% hydrogen peroxide resistance | Minor surface damage after 12-18 months | Full |
| Sporal A / formaldehyde resistance | Possible matting | No visual changes |
| Sector standard | General medicine, clinics, hospital kitchens, cosmetology, general dentistry | Cytostatics, implantology, BSL-2 lab, sterile compounding (GMP Annex 1), veterinary large animals |
| Relative price | 100% | 118-125% (18-25% premium) |
| Real-world lifespan | 15+ years in standard conditions | 15+ years in aggressive conditions |
When to choose 304, when 316L
INOX 304 is enough for:
- Private clinics and outpatient practices (standard alcohol + QAC)
- General dental offices (chlorine up to 1000 ppm)
- Hospital kitchens and HACCP food sector
- GMP Annex 1 Class D and C zones (airlocks, preparation)
- Cosmetology salons and SPAs
- Standard operating theatres (without cytostatics)
INOX 316L is necessary for:
- Cytostatic preparation in sterile compounding pharmacies (GMP Class B)
- Dental implantology (intensive chlorine disinfection)
- BSL-2+ laboratories (regular hydrogen peroxide)
- Veterinary clinics with aggressive agents (formaldehyde, glutaraldehyde)
- GMP Annex 1 Class A/B pharmaceutical production zones
- Clinical microbiology and molecular diagnostics
Why not another grade?
Some competitor brands offer INOX 201, 202 or 430 — lower cost but fundamentally different properties. INOX 201 and 202 have less nickel and are prone to corrosion in medical environments after 6-12 months. INOX 430 is ferritic steel — magnetic and prone to corrosion in the presence of chlorides. MedicLine uses only 304 or 316L, both available with a 3.1 EN 10204 mill certificate on request.
Documentation available with a B2B order
What we can attach to the offer / delivery
- Steel mill certificate 3.1 per EN 10204 — on request (grade, chemistry, batch, mill)
- Product technical data sheet identifying the grade (304 or 316L)
- Notes on disinfectant compatibility — per manufacturer documentation
- Installation manual with wall-load parameters
The above are documents typically available. If your procurement dossier requires a specific document — let us know directly and we will check with the manufacturer what is available for the given model.