18/8 Stainless Steel vs. 304: What’s the Difference?
Apr 21, 2025
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What is 18/8 Stainless Steel?
18-8 stainless steel is a chromium-nickel alloy stainless steel, which consists of 18% chromium and 8% nickel. This stainless steel has an austenitic structure at room temperature, so it is also called austenitic stainless steel. Due to the high nickel content, it has a single austenitic structure at room temperature, is non-magnetic (may have weak magnetism after cold working), and can be strengthened by cold deformation.
304 vs 18/8 Stainless Steel: What's the Difference?
In the industrial world (AISI system), it is called Type 304. In the European system, it is known as 1.4301. While there are tiny differences in the allowable carbon or manganese, for 99% of users, 18/8 and 304 are identical.
18/8 stainless steel vs 304：Chemical Composition
| Feature | AISI 304 (Industrial Standard) | 18/8 Stainless Steel (Common Name) |
| Nomenclature | Official designation (ASTM/AISI) | Descriptive / Commercial name |
| UNS Number | S30400 | N/A (General Classification) |
| EN Standard | 1.4301 | Equivalent to 1.4301 |
| Chromium (Cr) % | 17.50% – 19.50% | Approx. 18.00% |
| Nickel (Ni) % | 8.00% – 10.50% | Approx. 8.00% |
| Carbon (C) % | ≤ 0.07% (Standard 304) | ≤ 0.08% |
18-8 Stainless Steel Mechanical Properties (Annealed Condition)
| Property | Typical Value |
|---|---|
| Tensile Strength | ≥ 515 MPa (75 ksi) |
| Yield Strength (0.2% offset) | ≥ 205 MPa (30 ksi) |
| Elongation (in 50 mm) | ≥ 40% |
| Hardness (Brinell) | ≤ 201 HB |
| Hardness (Rockwell B) | ≤ 92 HRB |
| Modulus of Elasticity | ~193 GPa (28 x 10⁶ psi) |
| Poisson's Ratio | ~0.29 |
| Density | 7.93 g/cm³ (0.286 lb/in³) |
Is 18/8 Stainless Steel magnetic?
Because of the high nickel content, 18/8 (304) is an Austenitic steel, which is inherently non-magnetic. However, if the steel is cold-worked (stamped into a bowl or bent into a fork), the crystal structure can change slightly, making it weakly magnetic at the corners or bends.
Is 18/8 Stainless Steel food safe?
Although 18-8 stainless steel has good corrosion resistance and high temperature resistance, it is not food-grade stainless steel. Food-grade stainless steel usually refers to 304 stainless steel, which is a type of 18-8 stainless steel, but it emphasizes its safety and meets food safety standards
Therefore, although 18-8 stainless steel can be used to make food contact products such as tableware, it is necessary to ensure that it meets specific food safety standards.
18/8 Stainless Steel: Application
Cooking and Kitchenware: Commonly used in cookware, refrigerators, sinks, commercial food processing equipment, and brewing and beverage machinery.
Architecture and Construction: Widely used for handrails, door and window frames, exterior cladding, and structural supports.
Fasteners and Hardware: Used for heavy-duty screws, bolts, nuts, and washers requiring long-term exposure to humid environments.
Medical and Pharmaceutical: Commonly used to manufacture surgical instruments, sterilization trays, and medical cabinetry.
Automotive and Aerospace: Applied in exhaust systems, trim components, housings, and fuel lines.
18/8 stainless steel vs 303
303 stainless steel is actually a highly specialized variant within the broader 18-8 stainless steel family. While standard 18-8 stainless steel (most commonly Grade 304) is optimized for superior corrosion resistance, weldability, and formability, Grade 303 introduces added sulfur or selenium to maximize machinability for high-volume part production.
18/8 vs. 18/10 vs. 18/0 Stainless Steels: What Are the Differences?
| Feature | 18/8 (Type 304) | 18/0 (Type 430) | 18/10/2 (Type 316) |
| Chromium | 18% | 18% | 18% |
| Nickel | 8% | 0% | 10% |
| Molybdenum | 0% | 0% | 2% |
| Magnetism | Non-Magnetic | Strongly Magnetic | Non-Magnetic |
| Common Use | Mixing bowls, cutlery, sinks | Cheap knives, cafeteria trays | Boat fittings, high-end watches |
18/8, 18/10, and 18/0 Stainless Steel Suppliers and Manufacturers
As a leading global supplier of stainless steel coils and sheets, we maintain substantial long-term inventory and offer rapid delivery within 7–15 days.
We supply Deep Drawing Quality (DDQ) materials. Our 18/10 and 18/8 grades offer excellent ductility, capable of withstanding multiple drawing operations without cracking. For consumer electronics and high-end cookware, our BA (Bright Annealed) and 8K (Mirror Finish) products are free from scratches, roll marks, and color variations, meeting stringent aesthetic standards.
In addition, we provide slitting, shearing, laser cutting, and PVC coating services.
| Specific Form | Technical Description | Common Dimensions | Available Surface Finishes |
| Cold Rolled Sheets/Coils | High-precision thin material for stamping and forming. |
Thickness: 0.3mm – 6.0mm Width: 1000mm – 1500mm |
2B, BA, No.4, HL, 8K (Mirror) |
| Hot Rolled Plates | Structural grade for heavy-duty industrial use. |
Thickness: 3.0mm – 100mm Width: 1500mm – 2500mm |
No.1 (Pickled), Sand-blasted |
| Precision Strips | Narrow coils with tight tolerances for deep drawing. |
Thickness: 0.05mm – 2.0mm Width: 5.0mm – 600mm |
BA, Polished, Brushed |
| Stainless Steel Circles | Pre-cut disks for the cookware industry (Pots/Pans). |
Thickness: 0.4mm – 3.0mm Diameter: 100mm – 800mm |
2B, BA, DDQ (Deep Drawing Quality) |
Every batch comes with a Material Test Certificate (MTC). We guarantee a consistent nickel content of over 10% for our 18/10 grade, ensuring superior corrosion resistance and lasting luster.
Packaging and Shipping
Packaging: Each sheet or coil is wrapped in moisture-proof paper with a plastic film lining and secured with steel strapping. The exterior is protected by wooden pallets or wooden crates to ensure safety during international transport.
Labeling: Each package is marked with the heat number, grade, dimensions, and standard specifications.
Delivery Time: Typically within 7–15 working days after receipt of the advance payment.
Shipping Method: Sea freight (FCL/LCL), air freight, or express delivery, depending on customer requirements.
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