what material is 1.4404 equivalent to？

What Material Is 1.4404 Equivalent To? | 316L Stainless Steel Explained

When sourcing stainless steel for critical applications-especially in chemical processing, marine environments, or food-grade equipment-you may come across the designation EN 1.4404. But what is 1.4404 equivalent to in other international standards, and how does it relate to 316L stainless steel?

In this article, we break down the international equivalents of 1.4404, its chemical composition, and common applications to help engineers, procurement specialists, and designers choose the right material with confidence.

 

 

What Is 1.4404 Stainless Steel?

1.4404 (also known as AISI 316L or X2CrNiMo17-12-2) is a low-carbon, molybdenum-alloyed austenitic stainless steel. It offers excellent corrosion resistance, particularly against chloride-induced pitting, and is highly weldable without needing post-weld annealing, making it ideal for marine, pharmaceutical, and chemical industries.

 

what material is 1.4404 equivalent to?

Standard System	Equivalent Grade
UNS (ASTM/ASME)	S31603
AISI/SAE	316L
JIS (Japan)	SUS316L
ISO/DIN	X2CrNiMo17-12-2
GB (China)	022Cr17Ni12Mo2

Conclusion: 1.4404 ≈ 316L ≈ S31603, depending on the regional or industry standard.

 

EN 1.4404 vs ASTM 316L Chemical Composition (Typical)

Element	Content (%)
Chromium (Cr)	16.5 – 18.5
Nickel (Ni)	10.0 – 13.0
Molybdenum (Mo)	2.0 – 2.5
Carbon (C)	≤ 0.03
Nitrogen (N)	≤ 0.11

The low carbon content (≤ 0.03%) improves weldability and reduces the risk of intergranular corrosion after welding.

 

Mechanical Properties (Typical Values at Room Temperature)​​

(Per EN 10088-2 / ASTM A240)

​​Property​​	​​1.4401 (316)​​	​​1.4404 (316L)​​
​​Tensile Strength (MPa)​​	515–795	485–795
​​Yield Strength (0.2% Offset, MPa)​​	205–515	205–515
​​Elongation (% in 50mm)​​	≥40	≥40
​​Hardness (HRB)​​	≤95	≤95
​​Density (g/cm³)​​	8.0	8.0

 

What is the difference between 1.4401 and 1.4301 stainless steel?

The primary difference between 1.4401 (AISI 316) and 1.4301 (AISI 304) stainless steel is that 1.4401 contains 2–3% molybdenum, providing superior resistance to chloride-driven corrosion and pitting compared to 1.4301, which has none. 1.4401 is better suited for marine, chemical, and harsh environments, while 1.4301 is best for general, less corrosive applications.

 

What is the difference between 1.4571 and 1.4404 stainless steel?

Both 1.4571 (316Ti) and 1.4404 (316L) are acid-resistant austenitic stainless steels with similar corrosion resistance. The main difference is that 1.4571 contains titanium, thus exhibiting higher high-temperature resistance (up to 400°C) and better resistance to intergranular corrosion, while 1.4404 (lower carbon content) is easier to machine and polish.

 

Applications of UNS S31603 vs 1.4404 Stainless Steel

Chemical processing and storage tanks

Marine fittings and offshore structures

Pharmaceutical and food-grade equipment

Heat exchangers, pumps, and valves

Medical devices and surgical instruments