Component distinction
Type
Main component (typical value)
characteristics
201
Chromium (16-18%), nickel (3.5-5.5%), manganese (5.5-7.5%)
nickel content is low, with manganese and nitrogen to replace part of the nickel, the cost is lower
304
Chromium (18-20%), nickel (8-10.5%)
nickel content is high, with excellent corrosion resistance and formability
316
Chromium (16-18%), nickel (10-14%), molybdenum (2-3%)
added molybdenum element, corrosion resistance is stronger, especially resistance to chloride ion corrosion
430
chromium (16-18%), carbon (≤0.12%)
nickel free ferritic stainless steel, nickel free, low cost, but poor corrosion resistance
Performance difference
type
Corrosion resistance
intensity
toughness
magnetism
High temperature resistance
201
General
higher
preferably
Weak magnetism
normal
304
excellent
intermediate
excellent
nonmagnetic
preferably
316
Excellent (especially resistant to chloride ion corrosion)
intermediate
excellent
nonmagnetic
preferably
430
worse
higher
range
magnetic
magnetic
Application field differentiation
Type
Main application areas
201
Low-cost decorative materials, household items, kitchenware, door and window frames, etc
304
Food processing equipment, medical equipment, kitchen equipment, building decoration, chemical equipment, etc
316
Marine equipment, seawater treatment equipment, chemical equipment, medical equipment, high temperature environment equipment, etc
430
household appliances (such as washing machine inner tube), architectural decoration, automobile exhaust pipe, structural parts in low corrosion environment, etc
Cost differentiation
Type
cost (low to high)
430
minimum
201
lower
304
higher
316
Max
Summary and comparison
Features
201
304
316
430
Corrosion resistance
normal
excellent
excellent
range
intensity
higher
intermediate
intermediate
higher
toughness
preferably
excellent
excellent
range
magnetism
Weak magnetism
nonmagnetic
nonmagnetic
magnetic
cost
lower
higher
The highest
minimum
Typical application
Decoration, home furnishing
Food, medical, chemical
Oceans, chemicals, high temperatures
Home appliances, construction
How to choose the right stainless steel?
201: Suitable for scenarios with limited budget and low corrosion resistance requirements.
304: Suitable for most daily and industrial applications, cost-effective.
316: Suitable for highly corrosive environments, such as Marine or chemical applications.
430: Suitable for low cost, low corrosion environment, and require magnetic scenarios.
