We are specifying stainless handrails for a coastal hotel project (about 500 m from the sea). The contractor proposed 304 with a clear coat. Is that realistic, or should we insist on 316L?
Within 500 m of the sea, 316L is the safer choice. Chloride pitting on 304 handrails shows up as tea-staining within months, and a clear coat is a maintenance item, not a fix. If cost is the constraint, use 316L on the seaward side and 304 only in sheltered areas.
Also specify the finish: a rougher surface (No.4 / HL) traps less chloride than a mirror finish, and regular fresh-water rinsing is what actually keeps coastal stainless alive.
