Plumbing – Can 304 (stainless steel) rust

plumbing

This ball valve is stamped with 304.

304 is supposed to be stainless steel.

Does 304 mean stainless steel? will it rust?

It isn't used yet, how come there is already rust inside?

If i use it, will i expect more rusts?

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Best Answer

304 will rust, to an extent. It's not shocking or surprising. Plenty of examples if you do an image search - in my case, personal experience.

However, my best guess on that very isolated spot is that it may have had a speck of regular carbon steel from the manufacturing process, which rusted there.