EN 1.4301 / AISI 304 / 1.4306 /AISI 304L
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What is the differences between EN 1.4301 and AISI 304 stainless steel?
EN 1.4301 and AISI 304 are essentially the same widely used austenitic stainless steel, differing mainly in their naming standards (European vs. American) and slight variations in specified element limits, with 1.4301 often having a slightly lower maximum sulfur content (≤0.015% vs. ≤0.03%) and potentially lower carbon (≤0.07% vs. ≤0.08%), making them functionally interchangeable in most applications. Both are known as "18/8 stainless steel" due to their ~18% chromium and ~8% nickel content, offering excellent corrosion resistance, formability, and weldability.
What Is The Differences Between EN 1.4306 And AISI 304L?
EN 1.4306 and AISI 304L are essentially the same low-carbon austenitic stainless steel, representing different standards (European EN and American AISI/UNS) for the ultra-low carbon version of Type 304, primarily differing in naming and specific minor element ranges, with 1.4306 sometimes indicating slightly higher Nickel content (10-12%) for enhanced corrosion resistance over the standard 304L (8-10.5%), making them interchangeable for most welded applications but 1.4306 offering superior performance in harsh environments.
EN 1.4301 / AISI 304 / 1.4306 /AISI 304L Chemical Composition (wt%)
| Grade | Standard | C | Cr | Ni | Mn | Si | P | S |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.4301 | EN 10088 | ≤ 0.07 | 17.5 – 19.5 | 8.0 – 10.5 | ≤ 2.0 | ≤ 1.0 | ≤ 0.045 | ≤ 0.015 |
| AISI 304 | ASTM A240 | ≤ 0.08 | 18.0 – 20.0 | 8.0 – 10.5 | ≤ 2.0 | ≤ 0.75 | ≤ 0.045 | ≤ 0.03 |
| 1.4306/1.4307 | EN 10088 | ≤ 0.03 | 18.0 – 20.0 | 8.0 – 10.5 | ≤ 2.0 | ≤ 1.0 | ≤ 0.045 | ≤ 0.015 |
| AISI 304L | ASTM A240 | ≤ 0.03 | 18.0 – 20.0 | 8.0 – 12.0 | ≤ 2.0 | ≤ 0.75 | ≤ 0.045 | ≤ 0.03 |
EN 1.4301 / AISI 304 / 1.4306 /AISI 304L Mechanical Properties (Annealed Condition)
| Grade | Tensile Strength (MPa) | Yield Strength 0.2% (MPa) | Elongation (%) | Hardness |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.4301 | ≥ 520 | ≥ 210 | ≥ 45 | ≤ 215 HB |
| AISI 304 | ≥ 515 | ≥ 205 | ≥ 40 | ≤ 92 HRB |
| 1.4306/1.4307 | ≥ 500 | ≥ 200 | ≥ 45 | ≤ 215 HB |
| AISI 304L | ≥ 485 | ≥ 170 | ≥ 40 | ≤ 92 HRB |
What is the material equivalent of 1.4306?
The material equivalent of 1.4306 (an EN numeric designation) is primarily the US grade AISI 304L (also known as UNS S30403 or BS 304S11).
What is the material equivalent to 1.4307?
AISI 304L is an austenitic stainless steel that is also known under the designations 1.4307 and X2CrNi18-9. This V2A steel is comparable to AISI (1.4301), but differs from it in that it has a lower carbon content.
What is the difference between 1.4301 and 1.4307?
The main difference between 1.4301 (AISI 304) and 1.4307 (AISI 304L) is carbon content, with 1.4307 having lower carbon, making it more resistant to intergranular corrosion (sensitization) after welding, while 1.4301 has higher carbon, giving it slightly higher strength and hardness, making it better for general-purpose, non-welded structural parts, though 1.4307 is preferred for heavy-gauge welded components.
What is the difference between 1.4306 and 1.4307?
1.4306 (X2CrNi19-11) and 1.4307 (X2CrNi18-9) are both low-carbon, 304L-type stainless steels, but 1.4306 has higher nickel content (10-12% vs 8-10.5% for 1.4307), making it more corrosion-resistant, especially in aggressive, chlorinated, or acidic environments, while 1.4307 is the more common, cost-effective 304L variant used for general applications like food processing, kitchenware, and architecture.
EN 1.4301 / AISI 304 / 1.4306 / AISI 304L: How to choose?
When choosing between EN 1.4301 / AISI 304 and EN 1.4306 / AISI 304L, the key determining factors are carbon content and welding requirements, rather than corrosion resistance.
1.4301 / AISI 304 has a carbon content of up to 0.07%–0.08%, resulting in higher strength (typical tensile strength ≥ 515–520 MPa), making it suitable for general manufacturing applications with limited welding or where post-weld heat treatment is possible.For welded structures, pressure equipment, and thick-section components, 304L/1.4306 is the safer choice; while standard 304/1.4301 is preferred for cost-effective, non-critical welded or non-welded applications.
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