1.4301 vs. 1.4307 Stainless Steel: Key Differences

What is 1.4301 stainless steel?
1.4301 is a type of austenitic stainless steel, also known as AISI 304 or "18/8" stainless steel, which has excellent corrosion resistance, is easy to weld and form, and is widely used in household items, architectural panels, and food processing equipment. It is a versatile and popular grade of stainless steel due to its good mechanical properties, strength, and ability to be deep-drawn into various shapes.

What is 1.4307 stainless steel?
1.4307 stainless steel is an austenitic stainless steel, also known as 304L or X2CrNi18-9, that offers good corrosion resistance, excellent weldability, and is suitable for cold forming. Its low carbon content prevents carbide precipitation during welding, making it an ideal choice for heavy-section applications.

 

What is the equivalent material of 1.4307 stainless steel?

1.4307 stainless steel is equivalent to ASTM 304L, UNS S30403, X2CrNi18-9, 304S11, and EN 1.4306. It is a low-carbon austenitic stainless steel with good corrosion resistance and weldability.

 

The main difference is that 1.4301 (304) has a higher carbon content, making it stronger, while 1.4307 (304L) has a lower carbon content, which improves its weldability by preventing sensitization and carbide precipitation during welding. This makes 1.4301 better for general applications where welding is not extensive, while 1.4307 is preferred for heavy gauge components and extensive welding to maintain corrosion resistance.

Chemical Composition Comparison

Element	EN 1.4301 (304) %	EN 1.4307 (304L) %
C	≤ 0.07	≤ 0.03
Si	≤ 1.00	≤ 1.00
Mn	≤ 2.00	≤ 2.00
P	≤ 0.045	≤ 0.045
S	≤ 0.015	≤ 0.015
Cr	17.5 – 19.5	17.5 – 19.5
Ni	8.0 – 10.5	8.0 – 10.5
N	≤ 0.11	≤ 0.11
Fe	Balance	Balance

 

Mechanical Properties (Annealed Condition)

1.4301 has slightly higher tensile and yield strength, while 1.4307 offers better weldability.

Property	1.4301 (304)	1.4307 (304L)
Tensile Strength (MPa)	≥ 520	≥ 480
Yield Strength 0.2% (MPa)	≥ 210	≥ 170
Elongation (%)	≥ 45	≥ 40
Hardness (HB)	≤ 215	≤ 215
Density (g/cm³)	7.93	7.93

 

1.4301 vs. 1.4307 Stainless Steel: Corrosion Resistance

1.4307 (304L) has better corrosion resistance than 1.4301 (304) in welded applications because its lower carbon content prevents the formation of chromium carbides that can cause intergranular corrosion. In general, both grades have good resistance to corrosion in common environments, but 1.4301 has slightly higher mechanical strength, while 1.4307 is the preferred choice for applications involving extensive welding due to its superior post-weld corrosion resistance.

 

1.4301 vs. 1.4307 Stainless Steel: Weldability

1.4307 (304L) has better weldability for heavy-gauge applications because its low carbon content prevents the formation of chromium carbides that can cause corrosion after welding. Both 1.4301 (304) and 1.4307 are generally considered to be weldable by common methods, but 1.4301 is more susceptible to intergranular corrosion in welded areas, especially in thicker sections.

 

What is the difference between 1.4306 and 1.4307?

The main difference is that 1.4306 is a higher-alloyed version of 1.4307, making it more corrosion-resistant. This is because 1.4306 contains slightly higher levels of chromium and nickel, while 1.4307 (which is also known as 304L) is a common, more general-purpose low-carbon stainless steel.

 

GNEE supplies both 1.4301 and 1.4307 in a complete range of product forms:

Stainless steel sheets, coils, plates, pipes, tubes, bars, profiles

Surface options: 2B, BA, No.1, No.4, HL, 8K mirror

Cutting, polishing, slitting, bending, laser processing

Certificates: EN 10204 3.1 / 3.2, ISO 9001, PED, SGS, BV, TÜV.