201 stainless steel and 304 stainless steel are common stainless steel materials, and they are widely used in many fields. Although they both belong to the stainless steel family, there are some differences between them.
1. Ingredients and properties
201 stainless steel: The main components of 201 stainless steel are chromium, nickel, and carbon, with a chromium content of 15-16% and a nickel content of 8-9%. In addition, 201 stainless steel also contains small amounts of sulfur, phosphorus, manganese, and other elements. 201 stainless steel has good oxidation resistance, corrosion resistance, and weldability.
304 stainless steel: The main components of 304 stainless steel are chromium, nickel, and carbon, with a chromium content of 17-19% and a nickel content of 8-10%. In addition, 304 stainless steel also contains small amounts of silicon, manganese, molybdenum, and other elements. 304 stainless steel has good oxidation resistance, corrosion resistance, and weldability, and its tensile strength is higher.
2. Corrosion resistance
Due to the different compositions of 201 stainless steel and 304 stainless steel, their corrosion resistance properties are also different. Generally speaking, the corrosion resistance of 304 stainless steel is better than that of 201 stainless steel. This is because 304 stainless steel contains more nickel, and has strong corrosion resistance. In addition, the chromium content in 304 stainless steel is also higher, which makes it better resistant to oxidation corrosion. In comparison, 201 stainless steel has poor corrosion resistance.
3. Heat resistance
The difference in heat resistance between 201 stainless steel and 304 stainless steel is not obvious. Both maintain stability at higher temperatures. However, due to the lower carbon content of 304 stainless steel, its thermal expansion coefficient is slightly lower than that of 201 stainless steel. This means that in high-temperature environments, the structure of 304 stainless steel changes less, making its heat resistance better.
4. Processing performance
There are also certain differences in processing performance between 201 stainless steel and 304 stainless steel. 201 stainless steel has higher hardness and requires greater cutting force during processing. The hardness of 304 stainless steel is lower and the cutting force required during processing is smaller. Additionally, 201 stainless steel is more susceptible to scratches and wear than 304 stainless steel. Therefore, 304 stainless steel is more durable during processing.
5. Price
The price of 201 stainless steel is usually lower than that of 304 stainless steel, mainly because the production cost of 201 stainless steel is lower. However, 201 stainless steel has poor corrosion resistance, it may require more maintenance and replacement in long-term use. In comparison, although 304 stainless steel is higher, it is more cost-effective in the long run due to its better corrosion resistance and longer service life.
Summary: By comparing the differences in composition, corrosion resistance, heat resistance, processing performance, and price between 201 stainless steel and 304 stainless steel, we can conclude that 304 stainless steel is more durable than 201 stainless steel. Although 201 stainless steel is less expensive, it may require more maintenance and replacement costs in the long term. Therefore, when choosing stainless steel materials, it is recommended to prioritize 304 stainless steel.
Post time: May-14-2024