Stainless steel, with its excellent corrosion resistance and strength, is widely used in various industrial and life fields. However, stainless steel is not a single material, and the differences in its internal composition and characteristics make different models of stainless steel have their own advantages and limitations in application. Among them, 201 and 304 stainless steel are two common types, and they have significant differences in chemical composition, corrosion resistance, strength, processing properties and application fields.

1) From the chemical composition point of view

The difference between 201 and 304 stainless steel is mainly reflected in the content of nickel and chromium. 304 stainless steel contains 18% chromium and 8% nickel, which makes 304 stainless steel have good corrosion resistance and toughness. The 201 stainless steel contains about 17% chromium and about 4.5% nickel, and the content of manganese is higher. Due to the difference in nickel content, the corrosion resistance of 201 stainless steel is relatively weak.

2) In terms of corrosion resistance

304 stainless steel because of its high nickel content, can remain stable in humid environments, acidic foods and chemicals, has excellent corrosion resistance. The corrosion resistance of 201 stainless steel is poor, and it is not suitable for long-term contact with acid and alkali environment. This difference makes 304 stainless steel widely used in areas requiring high corrosion resistance, such as petrochemical, light industrial manufacturing, power industry, food manufacturing and other fields.

3) In terms of strength and toughness

Although 201 stainless steel has a higher hardness, its toughness is not as good as 304 stainless steel. The toughness of 304 stainless steel is better and can meet the requirements of general engineering, so it is more suitable for making a variety of kitchenware, tableware and medical equipment. The 201 stainless steel is more used in decorative materials, some daily necessities and other fields.

4) From the processing performance point of view

304 stainless steel has good processing performance, can be cold working and hot working, easy to form and welding. The processing performance of 201 stainless steel is relatively poor, and more complex processes need to be taken to meet the processing needs.

5) From the cost perspective

Due to the high nickel content of 304 stainless steel and the complexity of the process, its price is relatively high. The cost of 201 stainless steel is low, the price is relatively close to the people, so in some of the performance requirements are not high but cost sensitive occasions, 201 stainless steel has been widely used.

5) Conclusion

In summary, 201 and 304 stainless steel have significant differences in chemical composition, corrosion resistance, strength, processing performance and cost. These differences make them have their own application advantages in different fields. When choosing stainless steel, the appropriate type should be selected according to the specific use environment and performance requirements to achieve the best cost performance.