Grade 18/8 (Series 304): Made up of 18% chromium and 8% nickel. This grade is highly rust-resistant and is the best stainless steel grade for sinks. It's less expensive than Grade 18/10 but is still unlikely to rust. Grade 18/10 (Series 316): Made up of 18% chromium and 10% nickel.
Most stainless steel ordered around the world is Grade 304. It offers the standard corrosion resistance, formability, strength, and easy maintenance for which stainless is known. While 316 comes in second in terms of quantities sold, it offers vastly superior corrosion resistance to chlorides and acids.
The sinks made of thicker steels are highly durable. It is best to opt for 1.2mm or 1.5mm stainless steel sinks. They are resistant to dents and dings; thus, even if you accidentally drop the pointy edge of a knife into the stainless steel sink, you don't have to worry about the piercing in the metal sheet.
Stainless steel sinks in the 300 series are the most sought after as they have higher levels of chromium and nickel, the elements that add durability to stainless steel. 304 series stainless steel sinks are especially strong and corrosion-resistant.
18/10 stainless steel is more durable than 304 stainless steel, as it contains more chromium and nickel. This makes it better at resisting rust and corrosion. However, because of the higher amounts of these elements, 18/10 stainless steel is more susceptible to scratching than 304 stainless steel.
409 stainless steel can contain up to 90% iron, meaning a magnet will stick to it and is prone to rust. 304 stainless steel is the highest quality material used for exhaust parts and has a much lower quantity of iron. A magnet will not stick to it.
The Grade of the Stainless Steel
For the ratio of 18/8, this means that there is 18% of chromium and 8% of nickel in the stainless steel. As a general rule of thumb, the higher the percentage of these materials, the higher quality your stainless steel sink would be.
THICKER GAUGES
A better quality stainless steel kitchen sink is the 18-gauge, which is 0.0500 inches. Many home improvement choices recommend 16 to 18 gauges as a good choice for a stainless steel kitchen sink. The more costly, a 16-gauge stainless sinks is often touted as a luxury sink and are 0.0625 inches thick.
The maximum gauge I would recommend for any stainless steel kitchen sink is 18 gauge. The best choice is of course 16 gauge, however either 16 or 18 gauge will provide the same top value in terms of cost, performance and overall satisfaction. Don't bother with higher gauges (20, 22, 24) which are significantly thinner.
TYPE 409. Ferritic (plain chromium stainless category) stainless steel suitable for high temperatures. This grade has the lowest chromium content of all stainless steels and thus is the least expensive.
Fun Fact: Rolex uses the most expensive stainless steel in the world, also known as 904L. Other high-end brands use a stainless steel grade (known as 316L) in their designs, but 904L is exclusive to Rolex.
Both top-mount and undermount models are available; undermount models ease cleanup because there is no lip to catch food and debris, but are usually more expensive. Stainless steel sinks also resist chipping and cracking, however, are likely to be scratched through everyday use and often show water spots.
The higher the number, the thinner the material—so if you're looking for a strong, durable material for your project, 14-gauge stainless steel is usually your best bet. However, if you need a thinner material that still offers good corrosion resistance or weldability, then 16 gauge may be better suited for your needs.
I would HIGHLY recommend this sink! You will save a lot of money and it is superb quality. It is not cheaply made, very heavy and made from 16GA stainless. As good as ANY $1,000 sink.
Common Stainless Steels
The key difference between 304 and 316 grade stainless is the addition of molybdenum, an alloy which drastically enhances corrosion resistance, especially for more saline or chloride-exposed environments.
If the sink is too thin, it will affect the service life and strengt, otherwise it will easily damage the tableware. The thickness of 0.8-1.0mm can prevent various porcelain vessels from being damaged due to impact and the like to the greatest extent. However, ordinary low-grade water sinks are 0.5 mm-0.7 mm.
Iron plus moisture on top of stainless can lead to surface rust and staining. Rubber dish mats, wet sponges and cleaning pads are a no-no for a lengthy stay in your sink. Since they trap water, discoloration and staining can result.
While stainless steel sinks are durable, they do tend to scratch if abrasive cleansers are used. You might notice tiny scratches on an older stainless steel sink if you look closely. Most stainless steel varieties have a grain or pattern to them.
2205 stainless steel contains 22% chromium, 3% molybdenum, and 5-6% nickel. 304 stainless steel contains 18% chromium and 8% nickel. As a result of the increased chromium and nickel content, 2205 stainless steel is more corrosion-resistant than 304 stainless steel.
One major disadvantage is its susceptibility to stress corrosion cracking (SCC). This means that if exposed to certain chemicals or environments without proper protection, it can become susceptible to cracking or other damage over time.