Difference between Stainless Steel 201 and 304

Difference between Stainless steel 201 and 304

Two types of stainless steel 201 and 304, which differ in composition, performance and application.

1. Chemical composition

201 stainless steel contains 15% chromium and 5% nickel, while 304 stainless steel contains 18% chromium and 9% nickel. Due to the less nickel content of 201 stainless steel, while the nickel content of 304 is more than 201. Therefore, 201 stainless steel is generally easier to rust than 304.

2. Performance

201 stainless steel hardness is relatively harder than 304. The high temperature resistance, the corrosion resistance and rust resistance of 304 will be higher than 201. Stainless steel is not easy to rust because chromium rich oxide is formed on the surface to protect the steel. 201 stainless steel is high manganese stainless steel, which with high hardness, high carbon and low nickel contrast to 304 stainless steel.

3.  Application fields

• 201 stainless steel, with a certain acid resistance, alkali resistance and high density and other characteristics. There is no bubbles and no pinholes after polishing. It mainly used for decorative pipes, industrial pipes or some under-stretched products.

• 304 stainless steel has the characteristics of good processing performance and high toughness, which is widely used in industrial and furniture decoration industries and food and medical industries.
  

4.  Price

View of the current market price, 201 stainless steel is cheaper than 304. The 304 stainless steel expensive due to its high quality.

In short, 201 stainless steel and 304 stainless steel have their own characteristics and advantages. How to choose depends on the specific application and needs.