What is the difference between 1.4301 and AISI 304?

What is 1.4301 austenitic stainless steel?
Austenitic stainless steel 1.4301, also known as AISI 304, BS 304S31, 304 stainless steel, or X5CrNi18-10, is widely used and can be processed in various ways, such as cold forming and cold heading. It is also well-suited for forging, rolling, and welding. However, it should be noted that this stainless steel is not resistant to intergranular corrosion during welding. As an austenitic chromium-nickel steel, AISI 304 (1.4301 / BS 304S31) is non-magnetic, with very weak magnetism. It can be polished (up to a bright finish), ground, and brushed.

What is AISI Type 304?
AISI 304 is a type of austenitic stainless steel, known as the most common grade, and is valued for its excellent corrosion resistance, good strength, and ease of fabrication. It is widely used in applications like kitchen equipment, food and beverage processing, and architectural accents due to its resistance to rust and acids. Other common names include SS 304, UNS S30400, and 1.4301.

What is the difference between 1.4301 and AISI 304?

1.4301 is the European EN 10088 designation, while AISI 304 is the American ASTM/UNS designation. They represent the same basic austenitic stainless steel grade, with essentially identical chemistry and mechanical properties; the differences lie mainly in the standards' specified limits and testing methods.

1.4301 vs. AISI 304 Stainless Steel：Chemical Composition (Values in %, balance Fe)

Element	1.4301 (EN 10088)	AISI 304 (ASTM A240 / ASME SA240)	Remarks
C (Carbon)	≤ 0.07	≤ 0.08	Low‑carbon version: 304L ≤ 0.03 %
Mn (Manganese)	≤ 2.00	≤ 2.00	Austenite stabilizer
Si (Silicon)	≤ 1.00	≤ 1.00	Deoxidizer in melting
P (Phosphorus)	≤ 0.045	≤ 0.045	Impurity control
S (Sulfur)	≤ 0.015	≤ 0.030	EN spec tighter
Cr (Chromium)	17.50 – 19.50	18.00 – 20.00	Main corrosion resistance
Ni (Nickel)	8.00 – 10.50	8.00 – 10.50	Austenite stability
N (Nitrogen)	≤ 0.11	≤ 0.10	Contributes to strength

1.4301 vs. AISI 304 Stainless Steel：Mechanical Properties(Annealed condition, room temperature, minimum values unless range given)

Property	1.4301 (EN 10088)	AISI 304 (ASTM A240)	Remarks
Yield Strength Rp0.2 (MPa)	≥ 195	≥ 205	Practical values similar
Tensile Strength Rm (MPa)	500 – 700	515 (min)	Typical range 515–620
Elongation A (%)	≥ 40 (Lo = 5d)	≥ 40 (Lo = 50 mm)	Good ductility
Hardness (HBW)	≤ 215	≤ 201 (annealed)	Annealed condition relatively soft
Density (g/cm³)	≈ 7.93	≈ 7.93	Essentially the same
Elastic Modulus (GPa)	≈ 193	≈ 193	At room temperature

Equivalent Grades: 1.4301 = AISI 304 (same base chemistry & performance).

Low‑Carbon Variant: 1.4307 (EN) = AISI 304L (C ≤ 0.03 %), better intergranular corrosion resistance after welding or heating.

Applications: Widely used in food processing, chemical equipment, architectural cladding, medical devices, and general corrosion‑resistant applications.

Selection Tip: Specify EN or ASTM standard according to regional norms, especially for thickness tolerances and surface finish requirements.

Is AISI 304 Magnetic or not?
AISI 304 is essentially non-mag- netic, but it becomes slightly magnetic when cold worked. Low carbon content means less carbide precipitation in the heat-affected zone during welding and a lower susceptibility to intergranular corrosion.

Does AISI 304 rust?
It's important to consider that, although 304 stainless steel can corrode, it will not rust in normal atmospheric conditions. The corrosion of stainless steel only occurs under more aggressive environments or in situations where the composition of the steel contains impurities.

What is the life expectancy of 304 stainless steel?

Stainless Steel Grade	Corrosion Resistance	Estimated Lifespan
304 Stainless Steel	High	50+ years
316 Stainless Steel	Very High	70+ years
430 Stainless Steel	Moderate	30+ years

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