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201 and 304 stainless steel plates are two of the most commonly used grades in austenitic stainless steel. Their core difference lies in chemical composition (content of nickel and chromium), which further leads to distinct variations in corrosion resistance, mechanical properties, cost, and application scenarios. Below is a detailed comparison:
1. Core Difference: Chemical Composition
Nickel (Ni) and chromium (Cr) are the key elements for stainless steel corrosion resistance. The difference in their content is the fundamental distinction between the two grades:
| Grade | Chromium (Cr) Content | Nickel (Ni) Content | Manganese (Mn) Content | Carbon (C) Content | Substitution Feature |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 201 Stainless Steel | 16%–18% | 3.5%–5.5% | 5.5%–7.5% | ≤0.15% | Uses high manganese to replace part of nickel for cost reduction |
| 304 Stainless Steel | 18%–20% | 8%–10.5% | ≤2% | ≤0.08% | High nickel and chromium content, no manganese substitution |
2. Key Performance Differences
(1) Corrosion Resistance
- 201 Stainless Steel: Poor corrosion resistance. It can only withstand dry indoor environments or slightly humid conditions. It is prone to rust in coastal, acid-alkali, or high-salt mist environments, especially at weld joints.
- 304 Stainless Steel: Excellent corrosion resistance. It can resist humidity, weak acids and alkalis, and outdoor rain exposure. It is the mainstream choice for food-grade and civil applications, meeting daily rust-proof requirements.
(2) Mechanical Properties
- 201 Stainless Steel: Higher hardness and slightly greater strength, but inferior to 304 in ductility and toughness. It tends to crack during processing and has poor bending and stretching performance.
- 304 Stainless Steel: Good ductility and toughness, easy to bend, stamp, and weld. It is not prone to deformation or cracking after processing, making it suitable for complex fabrication scenarios.
(3) High-Temperature Resistance
- 201 Stainless Steel: Maximum temperature resistance is around 300℃; it is susceptible to oxidation and deformation beyond this temperature.
- 304 Stainless Steel: Maximum temperature resistance is around 800℃, applicable to medium and high-temperature environments such as ovens and water heater inner tanks.
(4) Cost
- 201 Stainless Steel: Due to its low nickel content, it is 30%–50% cheaper than 304, making it an economical stainless steel grade.
- 304 Stainless Steel: Higher cost, serving as the standard material for civil and food-grade applications.
3. Application Scenario Comparison
| 201 Stainless Steel Plate Applications | 304 Stainless Steel Plate Applications |
|---|---|
| Dry indoor decorations (door frames, shelves, billboards) | Kitchen equipment (sinks, kitchen utensils, disinfection cabinets) |
| Non-load-bearing structural components, guardrails, anti-theft nets | Food processing equipment, medical devices, drinking water pipes |
| Low-requirement outdoor fences (non-coastal/high-corrosion areas) | Outdoor curtain walls, balcony railings, water heater inner tanks |
| Temporary storage shelves, hand carts | Chemical containers, sanitary ware, vacuum flasks |
4. Quick Identification Tips
- Magnet Adsorption: 201 has high manganese content, resulting in stronger magnetism than 304, so it is more firmly attached to a magnet. 304 has almost no magnetism or weak magnetism.
- Visual Inspection: 201 has a duller surface luster and is prone to rust spots, while 304 has a brighter and cleaner surface that is not easy to rust after long-term use.
- Chemical Reagent Test: Use stainless steel identification liquid. When dropped on the plate, 201 will turn red rapidly, while 304 shows no obvious color change (high accuracy, suitable for on-site testing).
Post time: Dec-18-2025