1.4301/x5crni18-10 material equivalent

What Is 1.4301/x5crni18-10 material equivalent? 

1.4301 / X5CrNi18-10 is one of the most widely used Austenitic Stainless Steels worldwide. It is commonly known as 18/8 Stainless Steel because of its typical composition of approximately 18% Chromium (Cr) And 8–10% Nickel (Ni).
Due to its excellent combination of Corrosion Resistance, Weldability, Formability, And Cost Efficiency, 1.4301 is widely used in Food Processing Equipment, Chemical Applications, Architectural Structures, Medical Devices, Kitchen Equipment, Tanks, Piping Systems, And General Industrial Components.

 

What does the "X" in X5CrNi18-10 stand for?

The "X" indicates a carbon content of ≤ 0.1% (low/standard carbon). In the EN naming system, "X" denotes low carbon, while "X2" denotes extra-low carbon (e.g., X2CrNi18-9 = 304L, C ≤ 0.03%). "18" represents a chromium content of ~18%, and "10" represents a nickel content of ~10%.

 

What are the equivalent materials for 1.4301?

Equivalent materials for 1.4301 (X5CrNi18-10) include: AISI 304 / UNS S30400 (USA), SUS 304 (Japan), 304S31 (UK), 06Cr19Ni10 (China), 08Х18Н10 (Russia), and Z6CN18-09 (France). They share the same chemical composition, with only minor differences in the specified Cr/Ni ranges across standards.

 

1.4301 vs. AISI 304 vs. 1.4307 (304L)：Chemical Composition

Element	1.4301 (EN 10088-2)	AISI 304 (ASTM A240)	1.4307 / 304L (Low Carbon)
C (max %)	0.07	0.08	0.03
Si (max %)	1.00	1.00	1.00
Mn (max %)	2.00	2.00	2.00
P (max %)	0.045	0.045	0.045
S (max %)	0.030	0.030	0.030
Cr (%)	17.5 – 19.5	18.0 – 20.0	17.0 – 19.0
Ni (%)	8.0 – 10.5	8.0 – 10.5	9.0 – 12.0
Mo (%)	(≤0.5% residual)	(≤0.5% residual)	(≤0.5% residual)
N (max %)	0.10	0.10	0.10
Fe	Balance	Balance	Balance

What is main difference between 1.4301 and 1.4307?

1.4301 / 304: C ≤0.07–0.08%, suitable for general applications requiring good corrosion resistance and fabrication performance.
1.4307 / 304L: C ≤0.03%, designed for welded structures where improved resistance to intergranular corrosion is required without post-weld heat treatment.
For procurement, buyers should verify the actual MTC (Material Test Certificate) because equivalent grades may have differences in chemical composition, mechanical properties, and certification requirements.

 

1.4301 / AISI 304 Mechanical Properties in Cold Worked Conditions 

Cold Working Condition	Tensile Strength Rm (MPa)	Yield Strength Rp0.2 (MPa)	Elongation A (%)	Typical Hardness
Solution Annealed (1M)	500 – 700	≥ 205	≥ 40	137 – 201 HBW
Half Hard (2Y)	700 – 900	≥ 450	≥ 25	250 – 300 HBW
Hard (2E)	800 – 1000	≥ 550	≥ 20	300 – 350 HBW
Full Hard (2G)	1000 – 1250	≥ 700	≥ 15	350 – 400 HBW

 

Heat Treatment & Welding of 1.4301 / AISI 304 Stainless Steel

Process	Parameters	Description
Solution Annealing	1010 – 1150°C, followed by rapid cooling (water quenching)	Restores the austenitic structure and eliminates work hardening caused by cold deformation
Stress Relief Annealing	300 – 400°C, followed by slow cooling	Reduces residual stress from cold working without significantly changing the microstructure
Stabilization Treatment	870 – 880°C, 1 hour, slow cooling	Mainly used for Ti/Nb-stabilized grades such as 321/347 stainless steel (not required for 304)
Welding	TIG / MIG / Manual Arc Welding	Commonly uses E308 / ER308 or E308L / ER308L welding consumables
Post-Weld Treatment	Solution annealing (recommended for critical applications)	Reduces the risk of heat-affected zone (HAZ) intergranular corrosion

 

Is there a difference between 1.4301 and 304 stainless steel?

There is no fundamental difference. 1.4301 is the material number under the European EN standard, while 304 is the grade designation under the American AISI/ASTM standard. Both share the same chemical composition (~18% Cr + ~8% Ni), with only slight differences in the chromium range (EN: 17.5–19.5% vs. ASTM: 18.0–20.0%); they are interchangeable in actual production.

 

Is 1.4301 magnetic?

In the solution-annealed state, 1.4301 is weakly magnetic or non-magnetic (austenitic structure). Slight magnetism may develop after cold working (due to martensitic transformation), but this does not affect corrosion resistance. If a magnet adheres strongly, the material may not be true austenitic stainless steel.

 

What is the maximum service temperature for 1.4301?

The service temperature range for 1.4301 is −196°C to 870°C (intermittent) / 925°C (continuous). For long-term use between 425°C and 870°C, be aware of the risk of intergranular corrosion (using 1.4307/304L or applying stabilization treatment is recommended).

 

What welding consumables should be used for 1.4301?

Typically, E308 / ER308 (AWS A5.9/A5.9) electrodes or filler wires are used. If no solution treatment is performed after welding, E308L / ER308L (low-carbon consumables) should be used, and the base material should be switched to 1.4307 (304L).

 

What is the difference between 1.4301 and 202 stainless steel?

Grade 202 (1.4373 / X2CrNiN18-10) partially substitutes nickel (Ni) with manganese (Mn: 7.5–10.5%) and nitrogen (N: 0.25–0.5%), resulting in a nickel content of only 4.0–6.0%. The corrosion resistance of 202 is significantly lower than that of 1.4301, particularly regarding resistance to pitting and stress corrosion cracking. Grade 202 is suitable only for cost-sensitive applications where there is no risk of corrosion (such as interior decoration).

 

1.4301 / AISI 304 Stainless Steel Applications

Industry	Specific Applications
Food Processing	Conveyor belts, mixing tanks, worktables, kitchen equipment, food handling systems
Architecture & Decoration	Elevator cabins, curtain walls, handrails, roofing panels, decorative structures
Chemical Industry (Mild Conditions)	Storage tanks, piping systems, valves (without high chloride exposure)
Pharmaceutical Industry	Purified water systems, non-sterile processing equipment, general pharmaceutical components
Home Appliances	Washing machine drums, oven components, microwave oven parts
Automotive Industry	Exhaust system components, decorative parts, trim components
General Industry	Structural components, fasteners, containers, machinery parts

To help determine whether 1.4301 material is suitable for your specific project, could you please provide the following information?
What is the operating environment (indoor, outdoor, exposure to chemicals, or marine environment)?
Does the component require welding or heavy machining?
Do you require a specific product form (such as sheet, tube, bar, or finished component)?

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