What is the difference between 304 and 201 stainless steel?

Surface Difference

There is a clear difference between the two from the surface. Comparatively speaking, 201 material due to manganese elements, so this material of stainless steel decorative tube surface color dull, 304 material due to the absence of manganese elements, so the surface will be more smooth and bright. Distinction from the surface is relatively one-sided, because the factory stainless steel tube will be after the surface treatment, so this method is only suitable for some unprocessed stainless steel raw material distinction.

Performance Difference

201 stainless steel corrosion resistance, acid and alkali resistance are relatively weak compared to 304 stainless steel, and 201 stainless steel hardness is higher than 304 stainless steel.

The chemical formula of 201 is 1Cr17Mn6Ni5, the chemical formula of 304 is 06Cr19Ni10. the more obvious difference between them is the different content of nickel and chromium elements, 304 is 19 chromium 10 nickel, while 201 is 17 chromium 5 nickel. Because of the 2 kinds of stainless steel decorative pipe material nickel content is different, so 201 corrosion resistance, acid and alkali resistance is far less good than 304. The carbon content of 201 is higher than 304, so 201 is harder and brittle than 304, while 304 has better toughness, so it is more suitable for later processing use.

Now there is a stainless steel testing potion on the market, as long as a few drops will be able to distinguish what stainless steel in a few seconds, the principle is to make the elements contained in the material with the identification of the substance in the potion to generate a chemical reaction colored substances. This can quickly distinguish between 304 and 201 materials.

Application difference

Due to different chemical properties, 201 is more prone to rust than 304 stainless steel. Therefore, 201 is generally only suitable for use in the dry environment of construction and industrial decoration. And 304 due to corrosion resistance, acid and alkali resistance and other properties have greater advantages, the application coverage is broader, more general, and even not only limited to decorative applications.

Price Difference

304 stainless steel because of the performance advantages in all aspects, so it is more expensive compared to 201 stainless steel.

Recognize the simple method of 304 and 201 stainless steel plate

304 stainless steel because of its excellent corrosion resistance is often used in the inner layer (i.e., direct contact with water), 201 stainless steel because of poor corrosion resistance, can not be used in the inner layer, often used in the outer layer of the insulation tank. But 201 is cheaper than 304, often used by some unscrupulous businessmen pretending to be 304, with 201 stainless steel made of stainless steel water tank service life is very short, often 1-2 years can be corroded by the water, leaving the user with safety hazards.

Simple way to identify the two materials:

1. 304 and 201 stainless steel used in stainless steel water tank, the surface is usually light. So we identify the way by the naked eye, hand touch. Naked eye to see 304 stainless steel has a very good glossy shiny, hand touch is very smooth; 201 stainless steel is dark in color, no luster, touch has a relatively rough not smooth feeling. In addition, the hand will be wet with water, respectively, touch two kinds of stainless steel plate, touch the water stains on the 304 plate handprints are easier to erase, 201 is not easy to erase.

2. Use the grinder loaded with grinding wheel gently sanding two kinds of board, sanding 201 board sparks longer, thicker, more, and vice versa, 304 board sparks are shorter, finer, less. Sanding force must be light, and 2 kinds of sanding force is consistent, easy to distinguish.

3. with stainless steel pickling cream were coated in 2 kinds of stainless steel plate. 2 minutes later, look at the stainless steel color change at the coating. Color black for 201, white or not change color for 304.

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