1.4301 vs. 1.4401 Stainless Steel Tubes: Chemical Composition

Mar 30, 2026

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What is the equivalent of 1.4301 stainless steel pipe?

The primary equivalent of 1.4301 stainless steel pipe is AISI 304 (or SUS304), commonly referred to as 18/8 stainless steel or by its European designation X5CrNi18-10. It is a highly versatile, austenitic, and corrosion-resistant alloy used extensively for piping, chemical handling, food processing, and kitchen equipment.

What is the hardness of 1.4401 material pipe ?

In the annealed condition, the hardness of 1.4401 (AISI 316) stainless steel tubing is typically 215 HB (Brinell hardness) or approximately 95 HRB (Rockwell B hardness). This is a marine-grade austenitic stainless steel widely utilized in the chemical, food processing, and marine engineering sectors due to its exceptional corrosion resistance. Following cold working, its hardness increases, typically ranging between 260 and 290 HV (Vickers hardness).

1.4301 vs. 1.4401 Stainless Steel Tubes: Chemical Composition

1.4301 (AISI 304): Primarily composed of chromium (18-20%) and nickel (8-10.5%).
1.4401 (AISI 316): Molybdenum (2-2.5%) is added.

Element	1.4401 (316)	1.4301 (304)
Carbon (C)	≤0.08	≤0.07
Chromium (Cr)	16.0–18.5	17.5–19.5
Nickel (Ni)	10.0–14.0	8.0–10.5
Molybdenum (Mo)	2.0–3.0	None
Manganese (Mn)	≤2.0	≤2.0
Silicon (Si)	≤1.0	≤1.0
Phosphorus (P)	≤0.045	≤0.045
Sulfur (S)	≤0.030	≤0.030

1.4301 vs. 1.4401 Stainless Steel Tubes: Mechanical Properties (Typical Values at Room Temperature)

Property	1.4401 (316)	1.4301 (304)
Tensile Strength (MPa)	515–795	500–700
Yield Strength (0.2% Offset, MPa)	205–515	205–500
Elongation (% in 50mm)	≥40	≥40
Hardness (HRB)	≤95	≤95
Density (g/cm³)	8.0	8.0
Magnetic Response	Generally non-magnetic (annealed), slightly magnetic (cold-worked)	Non-magnetic (annealed)

1.4301 vs. 1.4401 Stainless Steel: Corrosion Resistance

1.4401 (AISI 316) stainless steel offers superior corrosion resistance compared to 1.4301 (AISI 304), primarily due to the addition of 2-3% molybdenum. While 1.4301 is suitable for general-purpose, non-marine environments, 1.4401 provides significantly better protection against chloride-rich environments, seawater, and acid corrosion.

1.4301 vs. 1.4401 Stainless Steel: Applications

1.4301 (AISI 304) and 1.4401 (AISI 316) are both austenitic stainless steels, but 1.4401 contains 2–3% molybdenum, offering superior corrosion resistance against chlorides and acids compared to the general-purpose 1.4301. 1.4401 is essential for marine, chemical, and pharmaceutical use, while 1.4301 is best for food, dairy, and architectural applications.

1.4301 vs. 1.4401 Stainless Steel: Cost

1.4401 (AISI 316) stainless steel is generally 10–40% more expensive than 1.4301 (AISI 304). This higher cost is due to the addition of 2–3% molybdenum and higher nickel content in 1.4401, which provides superior corrosion resistance. While 1.4301 is cheaper and better for general use, 1.4401 is more cost-effective long-term in harsh, chloride-rich environments.

References
【1】Shunqi.com. (2025). 1.4401 stainless steel: detailed chemical composition and corrosion resistance analysis.
【2】QC Hydraulics. (no date). Which steel is stronger: AISI 304 or AISI 316.
【3】Journal Center of Shanghai Jiaotong University. (2024). Analysis of the causes and preventive measures of 316L stainless steel pipeline corrosion.

At GNEE, we offer a wide variety of EN 1.4401 (AISI 316) stainless steel pipes to meet your industrial, structural, and corrosion-resistant piping needs:

Product Form	Specification Range
Seamless Stainless Steel Pipe	OD: 6mm – 610mm WT: 1mm – 60mm
Welded Stainless Steel Pipe	OD: 10mm – 2000mm WT: 0.8mm – 40mm
Round Pipe / Tube	Standard & custom lengths available
Square & Rectangular Hollow Section	10x10mm – 300x300mm / 20x10mm – 400x200mm
Polished Stainless Steel Tube	Grit #180 – #600 / Mirror 8K
Heat Exchanger & Instrument Tubing	Custom OD / WT with tight tolerance