French 
English 
German 
Spanish 
Portuguese 
Arabic 
Japanese 
Korean 
Stainless steel can be divided into different grades, the most common ones are 201, 304 and 316 stainless steel. Different grades have different compositions and performance characteristics, suitable for various applications. As a professional stainless steel lunch box manufacturer, MOYA will introduce you to the difference between 201 and 304 stainless steel
What are 201 and 304 Stainless Steel
Stainless steel is a very durable material because it does not rust easily. 201 and 304 are the two most common types. 201 stainless steel is relatively cheap, but has poor corrosion resistance and is suitable for economical products. However, 304 stainless steel contains more chromium and nickel, which has better anti-rust effect and is widely used in food processing, chemical industry and construction.
Chemical Composition And Properties
The chemical composition of 201 stainless steel and 304 stainless steel is the main reason for their different performance.
The chromium content of 304 stainless steel is between 18-20% and the nickel content is between 8-10.5%, which makes 304 stainless steel extremely corrosion-resistant and durable. It performs well in harsh environments and is not easy to rust.
In contrast, 201 stainless steel has a chromium content of 16-18%, a lower nickel content of 3.5-5.5%, and a higher manganese content of 5.5-7.5%. Although it also has certain rust resistance, it is not as good as 304 stainless steel in corrosive environments.
Application Of 201 And 304 Stainless Steel
Because 304 stainless steel has better anti-corrosion performance, it is widely used in kitchen utensils, medical equipment, marine facilities and other fields with high anti-corrosion requirements. For example, many of the stainless steel sinks, cookware, boîtes à lunch, and medical surgical instruments at home are made of 304 stainless steel.
And 201 stainless steel is often used in home decoration, home appliance shells and some food industries due to its lower cost. For example, many of the stainless steel pots and refrigerator shells at home are made of 201 stainless steel.
Health and Safety
In food contact applications, 304 stainless steel is a better choice because it meets more international standards and ensures that no harmful substances are released when in contact with food. Therefore, tableware, cookware, lunch boxes and food processing equipment mainly use 304 stainless steel.
Durability And Price
304 stainless steel is not only corrosion-resistant, but also very durable, so the price is also higher. For some equipment that needs to be used for a long time, it is very cost-effective to choose 304 stainless steel because it has a longer service life and reduces the cost of replacement and maintenance.
The price advantage of 201 stainless steel makes it the first choice for projects with limited budgets. Although it may not be as durable as 304 in some extreme environments, it is still a good choice in scenarios where corrosion resistance is not required.
How To Choose 201 Stainless Steel or 304 Stainless Steel
1.If you are choosing utensils that are in direct contact with food, such as lunch boxes, stainless steel plates and bowls, food grade 304 stainless steel is the best choice. It has good chemical stability, does not produce harmful substances, and is very friendly to health.
2.If you need a material that is highly corrosion resistant and durable, especially in wet or chemically aggressive nvironments, then 304 stainless steel is an ideal choice.
3.If you’re on a budget and your usage environment isn’t too demanding, 201 stainless steel is also a good choice.