1.4016 stainless steel vs. 1.4301: what’s the difference?

When selecting stainless steel for fabrication, corrosion resistance, or structural integrity, EN 1.4016 and EN 1.4301 are two widely used-but fundamentally different-grades.
Despite both being under the EN 10088 standard, they vary in microstructure, corrosion resistance, mechanical behavior, and application suitability.

 

What Is 1.4016 Stainless Steel?

1.4016 stainless steel, also known as X6Cr17 or AISI 430, is a ferritic stainless steel containing approximately 16–18% chromium and very low nickel. It is magnetic, moderately corrosion-resistant, and widely used in automotive trims, appliance panels, and kitchen equipment. As a cost-effective material, it is popular for interior or dry applications where high corrosion resistance is not required.

 

What Is 1.4301 Stainless Steel?

1.4301, also known as X5CrNi18-10 or AISI 304, is the most commonly used austenitic stainless steel worldwide. It contains 18% chromium and 8–10.5% nickel, making it non-magnetic in annealed condition, and offering excellent corrosion resistance, weldability, and formability. It is ideal for food processing, medical equipment, chemical tanks, and architecture.

 

1.4016 stainless steel vs. 1.4301:Chemical Composition

Element	1.4016 (430)	1.4301 (304)
C	≤ 0.08%	≤ 0.07%
Cr	16.0–18.0%	17.5–19.5%
Ni	-	8.0–10.5%
Mn	≤ 1.00%	≤ 2.00%
Mo	-	-

1.4016 stainless steel vs. 1.4301:Mechanical Properties

Property	1.4016	1.4301
Tensile Strength (MPa)	430–630	500–750
Yield Strength (MPa)	≥ 280	≥ 210
Elongation (%)	≥ 22	≥ 45

 

 

1.4016	Moderate – suitable for dry, indoor environments. Prone to pitting in humid or salty conditions.
1.4301	Excellent – resists corrosion in wet, acidic, and mildly chloride-rich environments. Suitable for outdoor and food-grade use.

Property	1.4016	1.4301
Cold forming	Good, but less ductile	Excellent, high ductility
Deep drawing	Limited due to low nickel content	Ideal for deep drawing and bending
Machinability	Moderate	Slightly lower due to work-hardening

 

Grade	Weldability Details
1.4016	Fair – requires preheating and post-weld heat treatment to avoid grain growth and brittleness.
1.4301	Excellent – welds easily with or without filler. No post-weld treatment required.

Grade	Heat Resistance
1.4016	Can be used up to 800°C continuously and 850°C intermittently. Moderate scale resistance.
1.4301	Performs well up to 870°C short-term and 925°C intermittent. Better long-term oxidation resistance.

 

 

Gnee supplies both 1.4016 and 1.4301 stainless steel in a variety of forms:Cold-rolled and hot-rolled sheets,Coils, tubes, bars, and custom profiles

2B, BA, No.4, HL, and mirror finishes,Material certifications (EN 10204 3.1, SGS, BV),Cutting, forming, and export packaging services.

The products provided include: 1.4016 Stainless steel bright tube, 1.4016 Stainless steel Bright annealed pipe, 1.4016 Mirror Polished steel pipe, 1.4016 Sandblasted stainless steel tube, 1.4016 Stainless steel pickling pipe.

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