Guides/Comparisons
301 vs 304 stainless steel
301-vs-304-stainless-steelStainless steel 301 and Stainless steel 304 at a glance
This page compares Stainless steel 301 and Stainless steel 304 using only values that carry a source, a test condition and an evidence level. Ranges run across temper, heat treatment and product form, measured at room temperature where the source says so.
- Composition: Chromium (301 16 to 18%; 304 18 to 20%), Nickel (301 6 to 8%; 304 8 to 11%), Carbon (301 up to 0.15%; 304 up to 0.08%).
- Yield strength: the ranges overlap (301 205 to 1,103 MPa; 304 at least 205 MPa).
- Tensile strength: the ranges overlap (301 515 to 1,276 MPa; 304 at least 515 MPa).
- Density: the ranges overlap (301 7.88 to 8.03 g/cm³; 304 7.85 to 8.06 g/cm³).
- Young's modulus: the ranges overlap (301 174 to 200 GPa; 304 200 GPa).
- Thermal conductivity: the ranges overlap (301 16.3 to 21.4 W/(m·K); 304 14 to 17 W/(m·K)).
- Melting point: the ranges overlap (301 1,399 to 1,421 °C; 304 1,400 to 1,450 °C).
"Higher" means the whole range is higher, not just one value. Where a value is a specified minimum, the table says "at least".
Side by side
| Property | Stainless steel 301 | Stainless steel 304 |
|---|---|---|
| Yield strength | 205 to 1,103 MPa | at least 205 MPa |
| Tensile strength | 515 to 1,276 MPa | at least 515 MPa |
| Density | 7.88 to 8.03 g/cm³ | 7.85 to 8.06 g/cm³ |
| Young's modulus | 174 to 200 GPa | 200 GPa |
| Thermal conductivity | 16.3 to 21.4 W/(m·K) | 14 to 17 W/(m·K) |
| Melting point | 1,399 to 1,421 °C | 1,400 to 1,450 °C |
| Service temperature | 840 °C | no data |
| Thermal expansion | 16.6 to 19.8 ppm/K | no data |
Composition
| Element | Stainless steel 301 | Stainless steel 304 |
|---|---|---|
| Iron | balance | balance |
| Chromium | 16 to 18% | 18 to 20% |
| Nickel | 6 to 8% | 8 to 11% |
| Manganese | up to 2% | up to 2% |
| Silicon | up to 1% | up to 1% |
| Carbon | up to 0.15% | up to 0.08% |
| Nitrogen | up to 0.1% | not listed |
| Phosphorus | up to 0.045% | up to 0.045% |
| Sulfur | up to 0.03% | up to 0.03% |
Shares are as printed in the sources, by weight.
When to use which
| Material | Best for | Weakest at |
|---|---|---|
| Stainless steel 301 | Springs, clips and light formed structures where cold-work strength matters more than corrosion resistance | Chloride pitting (critical pitting temperature below 10 C in Outokumpu's test) and carbide precipitation after welding or holding at 427 to 816 C |
| Stainless steel 304 | Corrosion-resistant housings, fasteners and tanks where ordinary steel would rust | Chloride pitting in acidic solutions, and low strength compared with precipitation-hardened steels |
Where each is used
| Material | Use |
|---|---|
| Stainless steel 301 | Aircraft structural parts |
| Stainless steel 301 | Truck and trailer bodies, railway and subway cars |
| Stainless steel 301 | Springs and hose clamps |
| Stainless steel 304 | Spacecraft propellant tank |
| Stainless steel 304 | Fasteners and screws |
| Stainless steel 304 | Architectural cladding |