What is the difference in hardness between sus321 and 304 stainless steel?

The hardness of stainless steel is related to its composition, heat treatment process and other factors. Among them, 304 and 321 are common types of stainless steel. Hardness is a measure of the material's ability to resist plastic deformation and cutting. For stainless steel, the hardness is directly related to its performance.

Hardness characteristics of 304 stainless steel
304 stainless steel is an austenitic stainless steel with good strength and hardness. It contains higher nickel and chromium elements, which gives it better corrosion resistance and good welding performance. Therefore, 304 stainless steel exhibits higher hardness during the manufacturing process.
Hardness characteristics of 321 stainless steel
Compared with 304, 321 stainless steel contains less nickel and a small amount of titanium is added to improve its organization and performance. Although 321 is better than 304 in high temperature resistance, it is slightly inferior to 304 in hardness.
304 stainless steel VS321 stainless steel: hardness
Comprehensive comparison, since 304 stainless steel contains higher nickel and chromium, and the heat treatment method in the manufacturing process can further improve its hardness, 304 is higher than 321 in hardness. This difference will be reflected in the application of materials. For example, 304 stainless steel may be chosen in scenarios that require higher hardness.