Introduction to popular stainless steel grades under international standards

Grade

USA (ASTM)

China (GB/T)

Europe (EN)

Japan (JIS)

Germany (DIN)

304

06Cr19Ni10

1.4301

SUS304

X5CrNi18-10

316

022Cr17Ni12Mo2

1.4401

SUS316

X5CrNiMo17-12-2

316L

022Cr17Ni12Mo2

1.4404

SUS316L

X2CrNiMo17-12-2

430

1Cr17

1.4016

SUS430

X6Cr17

301

301

1Cr18Ni9

1.4310

SUS301

X12CrNi17-7

904L

00Cr20Ni25Mo4.5Cu

1.4539

SUS904L

X1NiCrMoCu25-20-5

Grade

Main Components

Properties

Applications

304

18% Chromium, 8% Nickel

Excellent corrosion resistance, good formability and weldability, suitable for low-temperature environments

Cutlery, kitchen equipment, architectural decoration, industrial equipment, food processing equipment, medical devices

316

16% Chromium, 10% Nickel, 2-3% Molybdenum

Contains molybdenum for enhanced corrosion resistance, especially against chloride environments, excellent high-temperature oxidation resistance

Marine environments, chemical equipment, medical devices, food industry, pharmaceutical equipment, fasteners in highly corrosive environments

316L

16% Chromium, 10% Nickel, 2-3% Molybdenum, Low Carbon Content

Low carbon content improves resistance to intergranular corrosion after welding, maintains good toughness at low temperatures

Applications requiring good weldability, such as pressure vessels, chemical, petroleum, and natural gas industries, medical implant materials

430

16-18% Chromium, Essentially Nickel-Free

Ferritic stainless steel with magnetic properties, good oxidation resistance and corrosion resistance, good formability

Household appliance panels, kitchen equipment, automotive trim, indoor architectural decoration materials

301

17% Chromium, 7% Nickel

Significantly increased strength and hardness after cold working, high fatigue resistance, suitable for stamping

Railway vehicles, aerospace springs and fasteners, structural components, springs, gaskets, corrugated pipes

904L

20-23% Chromium, 25% Nickel, 4.5% Molybdenum, 1.5% Copper

Super-austenitic stainless steel with extremely high corrosion resistance, especially in acidic environments, very high oxidation resistance, good weldability

Acidic environments in chemical, petroleum, and natural gas industries, paper and dyeing equipment, marine environment components, power equipment