Is 201 or 304 stainless steel better?
201 and 304 stainless steels are widely used in life and business,its supplied forms:sheet,strip,bar,plate,pipe,tube,coil,fittings.
What Is 201 Stainless Steel?
Type 201 stainless steel is an alloy that contains half or none the nickel and more manganese and nitrogen than other popular steels. While it is less expensive than some other alloys (because of its low nickel content), it is not as easy to work or form. Type 201 is an austenitic metal because it is non-magnetic stainless steel that contains high levels of chromium and nickel and low levels of carbon.
What Is 304 stainless steel?
Type 304 is the most versatile and widely used stainless steel. It is still sometimes referred to by its old name 18/8 which is derived from the nominal composition of type 304 being 18% chromium and 8% nickel. Type 304 stainless steel is an austenitic grade that can be severely deep drawn. This property has resulted in 304 being the dominant grade used in applications like sinks and saucepans.
Element Type 201 (Wt.%)
- Carbon: 0.15 max
- Manganese: 5.50-7.50 max.
- Phosphorus: 0.06 max.
- Sulfur: 0.03 max.
- Silicon 1.00 max.
- Chromium: 16.00-18.00
- Nickel: 3.50-5.50
- Nitrogen: 0.25 max.
- Iron: Balance
Element Type 304 (Wt.%)
- Carbon (C):0.07
- Chromium (Cr):17.50 - 19.50
- Manganese (Mn):2.00
- Silicon (Si):1.00
- Phosphorous (P):0.045
- Sulphur (S):0.015b)
- Nickel (Ni):8.00 - 10.50
- Nitrogen (N):0.10
- Iron (Fe):Balance
Type 201 stainless steel is a mid-range product with a variety of useful qualities. While it is ideal for certain uses, it is not a good choice for structures that may be prone to corrosive forces such as saltwater.
Type 304 stainless steel has excellent corrosion resistance in may environments and when in contact with different corrosive media. Pitting and crevice corrosion can occur in environments containing chlorides. Stress corrosion cracking can occur above 60°C.
304 stainless steel toughness is better according to the description above: 201 stainless steel material is relatively hard, with a bit of steel, it is easier to crack. The 304 stainless steel vacuum flask does not rust because it contains nickel, and the 304 stainless steel is tougher and the fatigue resistance is much better than 201.