1.4401 VS. 1.4404 Stainless Steel plate : Carbon Content

When selecting a corrosion-resistant stainless steel for demanding environments, choosing between 1.4401 and 1.4404 often comes down to one key factor: carbon content. Both grades belong to the AISI 316 stainless steel family, but their slight chemical difference can have significant implications in applications involving welding, corrosive media, and precision fabrication.

 

 

What is 1.4401 and 1.4404 SS Cold Rolled Plates?

The "L" in 316L / 1.4404 stands for "low carbon." This lower carbon content helps reduce the risk of intergranular corrosion after welding or high-temperature processing.

Grade	EN Name	AISI Equivalent	Carbon Content (C max)
1.4401	X5CrNiMo17-12-2	AISI 316	0.07%
1.4404	X2CrNiMo17-12-2	AISI 316L	0.03%

 

Why is carbon content so important for 1.4401 thick stainless steel sheet?

High temperature and strength
The higher carbon content of 1.4401 stainless steel has better high temperature stability. The tensile strength retention rate is still ≥65% at 550℃, and the short-term heat resistance limit is 850℃. It has become the first choice for high-temperature equipment such as power station boiler superheater tubes and chemical reactors.
At the same time, the annual corrosion rate in 10% sulfuric acid solution is ≤0.03mm, and the chloride pitting resistance is significantly better than 304 stainless steel. It is suitable for manufacturing marine engineering components such as ship propellers and seawater desalination equipment.
Welding and corrosion resistance
1.4401 needs to be solution treated at 1040-1150℃ after welding to eliminate the risk of intergranular corrosion, while 1.4404 can be directly welded without subsequent treatment due to its low carbon characteristics. This difference greatly reduces the cost of 1.4404 in the manufacture of large structural parts.
The characteristics of 1.4404 low-carbon stainless steel make it have outstanding resistance to intergranular corrosion after welding, making it the standard for medical implants (such as artificial joints), food processing equipment (such as sterile storage tanks), pharmaceutical reactors and other fields with strict requirements on welding quality. In the chemical industry, its resistance to chloride ion corrosion makes it widely used in highly corrosive environments such as hydrochloric acid storage tanks and dye reactors.
Cold workability
The low-carbon design of 1.4404 makes it less prone to cold work hardening and more suitable for complex forming processes such as deep drawing and bending. It is often used to manufacture thin-walled parts such as thermos liner and automobile exhaust pipe.

 

 

Are you looking for EN 1.4401 and 1.4404 stainless steel sheets?

We supply EN 1.4401 and 1.4404 stainless steel sheets, coils, and welded/seamless pipes with full EN 10204 3.1 certificates, surface options (2B, BA, No.4), and global export services.

(EN 1.4401 vs EN 1.4404) Stainless Steel Plate Price List 

Thickness (mm)	Width x Length (mm)	EN 1.4401 (316) Price	EN 1.4404 (316L) Price
3.0	1500 x 6000	$2,750 / ton	$2,800 / ton
5.0	1500 x 6000	$2,720 / ton	$2,770 / ton
6.0	1500 x 6000	$2,700 / ton	$2,750 / ton
8.0	1500 x 6000	$2,690 / ton	$2,740 / ton
10.0	1500 x 6000	$2,680 / ton	$2,730 / ton
12.0	1500 x 6000	$2,670 / ton	$2,720 / ton
16.0	1500 x 6000	$2,660 / ton	$2,710 / ton
20.0	1500 x 6000	$2,650 / ton	$2,700 / ton

Notes:
For polished surfaces or cut-to-size orders, please request a custom quote
All prices are based on EN 10088-2 standards, with EN 10204 3.1 MTC

Click to obtain the 1.4401 stainless steel MTC certificate.