201 Stainless Steel vs 403 – What's the Difference

 

what is 201 Stainless Steel?

201 stainless steel is a low-nickel, high-manganese austenitic stainless steel belonging to the 200 series. It is a substitute stainless steel grade developed to reduce nickel costs. The Chinese standard grade is 12Cr17Mn6Ni5N, featuring a high manganese content and lower nickel and chromium content than 304 stainless steel. Its corrosion resistance is significantly inferior to that of 304 stainless steel, making it more susceptible to rust in humid, highly corrosive, or acidic environments. It is not food-grade stainless steel, and long-term contact with food or liquids may pose a risk of manganese leaching. As a decorative-grade stainless steel, it is widely used in decorative tubes, industrial tubes, watch cases, watchbands and back covers, architectural decoration, and exterior decorative components of kitchen equipment.

 

what is 403 Stainless Steel?

403 stainless steel is a stainless steel grade belonging to the 400 series. It is a high-chromium, low-carbon, hardenable stainless steel. In the American standard, it is designated as S40300, corresponding to the Chinese national standard grade 1Cr12. It offers good resistance to atmospheric corrosion and mild chemical corrosion; however, its corrosion resistance is inferior to that of austenitic stainless steels such as 304, making it unsuitable for highly corrosive environments. It is mainly used in the manufacture of turbine blades, valves, high-stress mechanical components, and surgical instruments. In applications where corrosion resistance requirements are relatively low, it is also commonly used for the production of cutlery and cutting tools.

What is the difference between 201 stainless steel and 403 stainless steel?

Grade 201 is an austenitic alloy, frequently used as a substitute for 304 stainless steel; Grade 403, conversely, is a martensitic alloy-specifically engineered to achieve high strength, high hardness, and exceptional heat resistance following heat treatment. Compared to 201 stainless steel, 403 stainless steel demonstrates superior resistance to scaling and oxidation in high-temperature environments (reaching up to 1200°F); however, in humid environments, its corrosion resistance is relatively weaker, and it is more prone to cracking during welding, thereby increasing the difficulty of the welding process.

 

Chemical Composition (%)

Element	Grade 201	Grade 403
Chromium (Cr)	16.0 - 18.0	11.5 - 13.0
Nickel (Ni)	3.5 - 5.5	< 0.60
Manganese (Mn)	5.5 - 7.5	< 1.00
Carbon (C)	0.15 max	0.15 max
Silicon (Si)	1.00 max	0.50 max
Nitrogen (N)	0.25 max	-
Iron (Fe)	Balance	Balance

 

Mechanical Properties

Property	201 (Annealed)	403 (Annealed / Hardened)
Tensile Strength	≥ 515 MPa (75 ksi)	485 MPa (Annealed) / up to 1000+ MPa
Yield Strength (0.2%)	≥ 260 MPa (38 ksi)	275 MPa (Annealed)
Elongation (%)	40%	20% - 30%
Hardness (Rockwell)	HRB 95 max	HRC 35 - 45 (After hardening)

 

Strength and Durability

Regarding strength and durability, 201 stainless steel is considered weaker than 403 steel. The structural integrity of this steel type may deteriorate over time and usage, causing it to be unsuitable for heavy-duty applications. By contrast, 403 steel, with its increased carbon content, exhibits extremely high strength, making it ideal for heavy-duty machine parts.

 

Weldability

Weldability is an essential consideration when selecting stainless steel grades. 201 steel possesses excellent weldability, making it easy to weld using various methods such as electric fusion welding, resistance welding, and gas tungsten arc welding. 403 steel, however, cannot be easily welded using standard welding procedures because of its tendency to crack, making it difficult to fabricate.

 

201 vs. 403 Stainless Steel: Heat Treatment

Stainless Steel 201 belongs to the austenitic class of stainless steels and cannot be hardened through conventional heat treatment; instead, its strength is enhanced through cold working. In contrast, Stainless Steel 403 is a martensitic stainless steel, specifically designed to achieve hardening through heat treatment. Typically, it undergoes an austenitizing treatment at temperatures ranging from 925°C to 1010°C (1700°F to 1850°F); following quenching and tempering, Stainless Steel 403 can attain a hardness of approximately 35–45 HRC-a level significantly higher than that of Stainless Steel 201.

 

201 vs. 403 Stainless Steel: Applications

201: Foodservice equipment, kitchenware, decorative trim, hose clamps, transit car components (structural).
403: Turbine blades, compressor parts, pump components, valves, and parts requiring high fatigue strength in steam or gas environments.

What is the cost difference between 201 and 403 stainless steel?

For 201 stainless steel-specifically for large-volume sheets and coils-the price typically ranges from $1.10 to $1.60 per kilogram (i.e., $1,100 to $1,600 per metric ton).
403 stainless steel typically ranges from $1.70 to $2.40 per kilogram (i.e., $1,700 to $2,400 per metric ton).