The new pre-order adapters from Terp Chasers Club are using SS444 instead of 316.
After speaking with the designer and founder, he explained that SS444 has several advantages over the 316.
It’s magnetic - so it will work better with induction, it has less thermal expansion, less nickel, and higher thermal conductivity.
He also said that he’d be switching all of his stainless steel parts from 316 to 444
full link to news story
Do you think others will follow suit?
Do you think we’ll be able to tell the difference in performance of taste?
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Very cool news 
. Points out an important progression dynamic that I feel is often overlooked or pooh-poohed by some: incremental changes to refine existing systems for better performance. The “wheel” doesn’t have to be reinvented by the next guy to stay “original”. The “wheel” is an amazing shape for ground travel. The materials that make the wheel or the design of the wheel can always be improved upon to make a better preforming wheel. I feel the some makers in this space often miss this point entirely.
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What I’m reading says SS444 has less nickel, as you mentioned, and is also low-carbon with a higher amount of chromium (18%) than regular SS316 (16-18%). Nickel is a pricy metal so I guess that’s the main motivator here since SS444 should be cheaper.
After that, the other differences seem to be around 1% less molybdenum for SS444 and possibly a bit of niobium or titanium. Will we be able to taste this? Who the f-ck knows? 
I’d say vendors might start switching for cost reduction/stability but those plans might change if people actually notice a (negative) difference.
It is cool that SS444 is highly magnetic and has better thermal properties with less expansion.
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The Phase3 Mako (S14) is also made of 400 series stainless steel.
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Any update on the juiceboxes?
Its alot cheaper for SS444 then SS316 thats probably most of the reason doesn’t seem to be much of a reason other then that to change. If it was that much better for heating most likly, most would already be using it.
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The switch from SS316 to SS444 was definitely not a cost decision. The large drop in heat expansion, increase in conductivity and nickel content were the main drivers.
We’re actually paying more for SS444 because it’s more difficult to source bars. It’s only commonly used in sheet and tubes.
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i was wondering about this, thanks for being transparent and clarifying
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Yes, overall, SS444 seems to be more applicable to this use case outside of being able to put “medical grade” next to SS316. I believe it comes from people trying their best to use a cost effective and uncontroversial material.
The SS444 is much heavier than gr2 Ti which helps balance it during use. Gr2 Ti is also less conductive than SS444, about the same difference as SS316.
SS444 has a higher volumetric heat capacity, so yes it heats “slower”, but they have nearly identical thermal diffusivity (heat spreading speed). For the same size tube, and tube only, we’re talking about a 30% decrease in time to temp, but the metal is not the bottleneck. The quartz liner and rubies are. With that consideration they are indistinguishable.
From a standpoint of continuous use, the increased conductivity and larger “thermal battery” makes SS444 the winner.
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I hear you loud and clear
I like g2 Ti for other reasons that are not just performance related at all like its aesthetics and light weight and that its technically an elemental metal which I think is cool
That being said I didn’t mean to argue against 444. Im totally on board with that decision and makes total sense especially for wireless use!
Edit: quick question about the FMJ update - has the ID of the FMJ been adjusted at all? I really liked the very very slight tighter fitment but others may not which I can understand
Last edit I promise 
Just want to clarify that I was only “meh” about the wired FMJ at first because I’m already so happy with the OG 316 wireless one. I’m now actually really into the idea of using a wired 444 FMJ along side it. 
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Appreciate it! Lots of time goes into these decisions. At this point we’ve got a few haters so we must be doing something right
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Definitely not a one of those haters even if I come across as critical at times. Only love. 
The Universal Baller ecosystem is all I use now 99% of the time. I have a V1 founders kit and 5 V2 UBs all set up differently, and will mostly likely be adding a 444 steel FMJ set in the future next year if available in Canada by then
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