Technical Article
304 vs 316L Stainless Steel for Marine Cameras
Why chloride exposure drives material selection for vessel, offshore, port and coastal camera installations.
For marine and coastal camera housings the decision is almost always 316L: the added molybdenum gives it far better resistance to the chloride corrosion that destroys 304 stainless steel.
304 stainless steel is fine for sheltered inland sites, but in any environment with salt spray, seawater or chloride-based chemicals, specify 316L.
304 vs 316L stainless steel
| Property | 304 stainless steel | 316L stainless steel |
|---|---|---|
| Molybdenum content | None | 2–3% added |
| Chloride / salt-spray resistance | Poor — pits and corrodes | Excellent |
| Best use | Sheltered inland, low-chloride | Marine, coastal, offshore, washdown |
| Relative cost | Lower | Higher (typically 10–20% premium) |
| In the Tikem Tech range | Some models | Default for marine and explosion-proof families |
Ingress protection: IP66 vs IP68
| Rating | Protection | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| IP66 | Powerful water jets from any direction | Weather-exposed above-water mounting |
| IP67 | Temporary immersion (up to 1 m, 30 min) | Occasional flooding / washdown |
| IP68 | Continuous immersion (depth and time per manufacturer) | Underwater / hull inspection |
Camera families at a glance
| Family | Certifications | Housing | Ingress | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Explosion-proof CCTV | ATEX / IECEx / DNV / CNEx | Stainless steel (316L / 304) | IP66 / IP68 | Hazardous-area gas and dust surveillance |
| Marine anti-corrosion | DNV / CCS / CE | 316L stainless steel | IP66 / IP68 | Vessel, offshore and coastal monitoring |
| Underwater systems | CE / FCC | 316L stainless steel | IP68 | Submerged hull and structure inspection |
| Long-range surveillance | ATEX | Aluminium / stainless steel | IP66 | Perimeter and long-distance monitoring |
Certification is model-level, not brand-level. This family table is a guide; the exact certification, material and ingress rating of each model are stated on its own specification page.
Frequently asked
- When is 304 stainless steel acceptable?
- 304 is acceptable in sheltered inland locations with no chloride exposure — for example indoor manufacturing or warehousing. Once salt spray, seawater or chloride chemicals are present, 304 will pit and corrode; use 316L.
- Does IP68 mean the camera can go to any depth?
- No. IP68 means protection against continuous immersion, but the rated depth and duration are specified by the manufacturer per model. Confirm the depth rating for the exact model before underwater use.
- Do I need DNV and CCS for my vessel?
- It depends on the vessel's flag and classification. DNV type approval covers DNV-classed vessels; CCS covers China-flagged or CCS-classed vessels. Check your project's class requirements and select a model with the matching certificate.
Related blog posts
- Condensation and Salt Spray on Marine Cameras: A Field Checklist
Fogged lenses and salt corrosion are almost never a camera defect. They trace back to a moisture path or a material mismatch — here is how to find which one, in order.