What is A2 stainless steel equivalent to?

What is A2 stainless steel?
A2 stainless steel is an austenitic stainless steel, also known as Type 304 or 18/8 stainless steel. It is non-magnetic, tough, and contains 18-20% chromium and 8-10.5% nickel. It has good corrosion resistance to many chemicals, but its resistance to chlorides is not as good as A4 (316) stainless steel. Common uses include kitchen equipment, building components, automotive parts, and chemical containers.

 

What is A2 stainless steel equivalent to?

A2 stainless steel is most commonly equivalent to Type 304 stainless steel (ASTM A276/A240), also known as 18-8 stainless steel, recognized by its 18% chromium and 8% nickel content for good corrosion resistance in general use, with metric grades like X5CrNi18-10 (1.4301) in Europe being direct counterparts for common applications. While A2 is a general classification, specific A2 fasteners (A2-70) are cold-worked for higher strength, differing slightly in mechanical properties but fundamentally sharing the 304 composition.

Country/Region	Standard/Specification	Equivalent Grade
China	GB/T 1220, GB/T 20878	06Cr19Ni10 (or 304)
USA	ASTM A276, ASTM A240	304
EU	EN 10088-2	X5CrNi18-10 (1.4301)
Germany	DIN EN 10088-2	X5CrNi18-10
Japan	JIS G4303	SUS304
England	BS EN 10088-2	304S15

 

What is the difference between A2 and A4 stainless steel?

A2 (Type 304) is general-purpose stainless steel, great for everyday use, while A4 (Type 316) is "marine grade," offering superior corrosion resistance due to added molybdenum, making it ideal for coastal, chemical, or harsh environments. Choose A2 for cost-effective indoor/outdoor use and A4 for saltwater, de-icing salt, or chemical exposure where longevity is critical, despite its higher price.

 

Composition of A2 Stainless Steel

Element	Cr	Ni	C	Mn	P	S	Si	N
wt%	18.0 – 20.0	8.0 – 10.5	≤ 0.08	≤ 2.0	≤ 0.045	≤ 0.03	≤ 1.0	≤ 0.10

 

Mechanical Properties of A2 Stainless Steel

Property	Value
Tensile Strength	515 – 740 MPa
Yield Strength	205 MPa (min)
Brinell Hardness (HB)	123 – 201 HB
Rockwell Hardness (HRC)	70 – 88 HRC
Vickers Hardness (HV)	129 – 200 HV
Elongation	40% (in 50mm)
Elastic Modulus	193 GPa

 

Physical Properties of A2 Stainless Steel

Property	Typical Value (Metric)	Typical Value (Imperial)
Density	7.75 g/cm³	0.280 lb/in³
Melting Point	1,480°C	2,696°F
Thermal Conductivity	24.9 W/m·K	173 BTU·in/hr·ft²·°F
Thermal Expansion	10.2 µm/m·°C	5.7 µin/in·°F
Electrical Conductivity	1.25 x 10⁶ S/m	2.15% IACS

 

Is A2 Stainless Steel Magnetic?
In its annealed state, A2 stainless steel is not magnetic. But it can be slightly magnetic when cold-worked or welded. This is important in applications where magnetic properties are a factor.

 

Is A2 harder than D2?

D2 steel is harder and more wear-resistant, making it ideal for high-precision molds and cutting tools. A2 steel is tougher, offering better resistance to chipping and cracking, perfect for tools that experience impact.

 

Is A4 stainless steel corrosion resistance than A2 stainless steel?

Yes, A4 (AISI 316) stainless steel has significantly better corrosion resistance than A2 (AISI 304) stainless steel. According to the ISO 9227 neutral salt spray test, A2 stainless steel typically shows significant pitting corrosion after 200 to 500 hours of exposure to a 3.5% sodium chloride solution, while A4 stainless steel can withstand 1000 to 2000 hours under the same test conditions without significant corrosion damage. A2 is only suitable for inland environments with low chloride ion concentrations (≤500 ppm Cl⁻) and has a service life of 10-20 years, while A4 can withstand chloride ion concentrations as high as 10,000-20,000 ppm in marine splash zones and maintain structural integrity for 15-25 years. Therefore, A4 is the preferred material for coastal, offshore, and chemical applications.

 

GNEE supplies high-quality A2 stainless steel fasteners and threaded products, manufactured from AISI 304 / ISO 3506-A2 material. All products undergo rigorous dimensional inspection (tolerances within ±0.1 mm), surface finish inspection, and mechanical property testing, and are certified to the ISO 9001 quality management system. Third-party testing reports (e.g., SGS/BV) are available upon request to ensure product traceability.

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In terms of logistics, GNEE uses export-standard packaging, including protective caps, moisture-proof film, and reinforced wooden crates or pallets, to ensure that products arrive safely and undamaged via sea or air freight.