Chemical Composition of Stainless Steel 1.4401 (EN Standard)

1.4401 stainless steel, also known as X5CrNiMo17-12-2, is the European standard designation equivalent to AISI 316 stainless steel. It is widely used in chemical processing, marine equipment, pharmaceutical production, and food industry applications due to its excellent corrosion resistance and mechanical strength.

To help engineers, procurement managers, and material specialists make informed decisions, here is the detailed chemical composition of EN 1.4401 stainless steel based on the European (EN 10088-1) standard.

1.4401 stainless steel Equivalent Grades

Standard	Equivalent Grade
AISI / ASTM	316
DIN	X5CrNiMo17-12-2
UNS	S31600
JIS	SUS316

 Chemical Composition of 1.4401 Stainless Steel (EN Standard)

Element	Symbol	Content (wt.%)
Carbon	C	≤ 0.07
Silicon	Si	≤ 1.00
Manganese	Mn	≤ 2.00
Phosphorus	P	≤ 0.045
Sulfur	S	≤ 0.015
Chromium	Cr	16.5 – 18.5
Nickel	Ni	10.0 – 13.0
Molybdenum	Mo	2.0 – 2.5
Nitrogen	N	≤ 0.11
Iron	Fe	Balance

 Key Characteristics of 1.4401 Stainless Steel

Excellent resistance to pitting and crevice corrosion thanks to the presence of molybdenum (Mo).

Suitable for high-humidity, saline, and mild chemical environments.

Offers good weldability and formability, making it ideal for fabricated components.

Often selected as the material of choice for marine-grade stainless steel components.

1.4401 Stainless Steel Applications

Heat exchangers, pressure vessels, and piping systems

Food and beverage processing equipment

Marine fasteners and structural parts

Pharmaceutical and cosmetic manufacturing lines