What Is The Difference Between 430 Vs 304 Stainless Steel ?

Like other forms of steel, stainless steel is an alloy of iron and carbon. What distinguishes is the stainless steel is must contain at least 10% chromium by weight. The chromium gives stainless steel its non-corrosive characteristics, which help lengthen the metal’s lifespan. Stainless steel comes in many different grade, each grade brings its own unique chemical composition, tensile strength, and other characteristics. Let’s compare the two most popular grades of stainless steel—430 and 304.

What is 430 stainless steeland 304 stainless steel?

Grade 430 stainless steel is a mild, corrosion-resistant metal that can be easily bent, stretched, or drawn. It has a minimum yield strength of 30 ksi and a minimum tensile strength of 65 ksi. Its relatively high carbon content and lack of stabilizing elements make this grade difficult to weld. Most commonly used in cosmetic applications that require more aesthetic appeal than strength. It is available in 430 stainless steel sheet.

Grade 304 stainless steel is the most widely used of all stainless steel grades. It has a minimum yield strength of 30 ksi and a minimum tensile strength of 75 ksi. Grade 304 stainless steel can be welded to plain carbon steel using TIG or MIG welding. It generally appears in kitchen equipment and industrial applications. This stainless steel is routinely stocked in various formats, including: 304 stainless steel plate, 304 stainless steel coil, and 304 stainless steel strip.

Grade 430 is ferritic stainless steel while grade 304 is austenitic stainless steel. Austenitic stainless steel has a relatively high chromium content, making it especially corrosion-resistant and non-magnetic (although it may become magnetic after cold working), is the most common. However, due to ferritic stainless steel has lower nickel content, they are less expensive than austenitic, but they are magnetic and can be hardened through cold working.

Is 430 or 304-grade stainless steel rustproof?

All grades of stainless steel resist corrosion, but because of grade 304 is high nickel content, it is particularly rustproof. This addition to the alloy makes grade 304 considerably more expensive than grade 430 stainless steel, so it serves buyers with an eye for the long term, while 430 works best for budget-conscious buyers.

Is 304 or 430-grade stainless steel magnetic?

Grade 304 stainless steel is austenitic, it is not magnetic. All austenitic stainless steels are not magnetic. However, ferritic stainless steel grades are magnetic. Thus, grade 430 is magnetic. Most kitchen knives are made from the 400 grades of stainless steel, which is why they can be stored on a magnetic strip.

What is the hardness of 430 and 304 stainless steel?

Brinell Hardness Number (BHN) is measured for stainless steel’s hardness. It is also a measure of an alloy’s ability to resist permanent indentation. The higher the BHN, the harder the alloy. Grade 430 stainless steel’s BHN is 183, and grade 304 stainless steel’s BHN is 201. So the grade 304 is harder than grade 430.

Is grade 304 or grade 430 stainless steel better?

In general, Each grade of stainless steel brings its own benefits and drawbacks. In corrosion resistance, due to grade 304 stainless steel has higher nickel content, type 304 offers more corrosion resistance than grade 430, put simply, grade 304 offers higher malleability and greater longevity. The nickel also makes grade 304 easier to draw or press, however, also raises the price of grade 304 steel, and grade 430 offers a less expensive steel option. Grade 430 stainless steel is magnetic, and easy to weld, press, and stretch. It offers good weldability. Both are widely used grades of stainless steel.