What is the difference between 201 stainless steel and 304 stainless steel?
There are many types of stainless steel pipes. Relatively speaking, the two most common pipe materials in the field of decorative pipes are 201 and 304 stainless steel pipes. There may be some customers who don't know the difference between these two types of pipes. The following introduces the difference between 304 and 201 stainless steel pipes.
1. Domestic brands are different: 201 or 304 in the American standard or Japanese standard is very simple and clear, but the domestic brands are different. 304 stainless steel grade: 06Cr19Ni10 (or OCr18Ni9), 201 stainless steel grade: 1Cr17Mn6Ni5N.
2. Different compositions: 201 and 304 stainless steel pipes are commonly used, but the actual compositions are different. 201 stainless steel contains 15% chromium and 5% nickel. 201 stainless steel is a substitute for 304 stainless steel. Standard 304 stainless steel, which contains 18% chromium and 9% nickel.
3. Different corrosion resistance: Due to the different nickel content, the corrosion resistance of 201 is far less than that of 304; the acid and alkali resistance of stainless steel pipe 201 is not as good as 304. 201 contains high manganese content, the surface is bright with dark light, and the high manganese content is easy to rust. 304 contains more chromium, has a matte surface and is not easy to rust. Stainless steel is not easy to rust because chromium-rich oxide is formed on the surface of the steel body, which plays a role in protecting the steel body. 201 material is high manganese stainless steel, its hardness is higher than 304 stainless steel, high carbon and low nickel.
4. Moisture resistance is different: 201 stainless steel contains manganese and will rust in humid and salty air for a long time, while 304 stainless steel will not rust so easily and has good stability, even if it is placed in a humid environment for a long time. Easy to rust. But many people say that stainless steel 304 is rusty, and it may not be 304 at all.
5. Different uses: Compared with 201 stainless steel pipe, 201 and 304 stainless steel pipes have relatively poor corrosion resistance. Not recommended for use in chronically humid environments or coastal areas. It can be used in relatively dry areas and some decorative areas with low quality requirements, such as indoor stair handrails, guardrails, stainless steel security doors, stainless steel lighting, furniture, etc. 304 stainless steel pipe has better corrosion resistance and can be used in relatively humid places or coastal areas.
6. Different prices: 304 stainless steel pipe has stronger anti-rust ability, so the price is more expensive than 201. The corrosion resistance of 201 is very poor, so the price is much cheaper, and because the nickel content of 201 is low, the price is lower than 304. Now the price of 304 is more expensive, generally close to 20,000 per ton, but 304 stainless steel pipes can at least be guaranteed to be used. No rust will occur during the process.
