304 stainless steel is a popular grade of austenitic stainless steel with excellent corrosion resistance, high strength, and good formability. It is composed of 18% chromium and 8% nickel, with small amounts of carbon, manganese, silicon, phosphorus, sulfur, and nitrogen.
430 stainless steel is a ferritic stainless steel with good corrosion resistance, moderate strength, and excellent formability. It is composed of 16% to 18% chromium and up to 0.75% nickel, with small amounts of carbon, manganese, phosphorus, sulfur, and silicon.
304 and 430 are both popular grades of stainless steel with distinct properties and applications. The main differences between 304 and 430 stainless steel are:
| United Stated | China | China(New Grade) | Europe | Japan | US code |
| 304 | 0Cr18Ni9 | 06Cr19Ni10 | 1.4301 | SUS304 | S30400 |
| 430 | 1Cr17 | 10Cr17 | 1.4016 | SUS430 | S43000 |
| UNS | Grade | C | Mn | P | S | Si | Cr | Ni | Mo | N |
| S30400 | 304 (0Cr18Ni9) | 0.07 | 2 | 0.045 | 0.03 | 0.75 | 17.5-19.5 | 8.0-10.5 | … | 0.1 |
| S30451 | 304N | 0.08 | 2 | 0.045 | 0.03 | 0.75 | 18.0-20.0 | 8.0-10.5 | … | 0.10-0.16 |
| S43000 | 430 | 0.05 | 0.5-1.0 | 0.03 | 0.03 | 0.6 | 11.5-14.0 | 3.5-5.5 | 0.50-1.00 | … |
430 stainless steel contains less chromium than 304 stainless steel. It is not as corrosion-resistant as 304 stainless steel. 304 stainless steel, on the other hand, contains more chromium and nickel than 430 stainless steel, making it highly resistant to corrosion and oxidation.
Due to the higher nickel content, 304 stainless steel is more corrosion resistant than 430 stainless steel, especially in acidic or chloride-containing environments. 430 stainless steel is more susceptible to corrosion and rust.
304 stainless steel is stronger than 430 stainless steel, making it a better choice for applications requiring high strength and durability.
304 stainless steel can withstand high temperatures, while 430 stainless steel may warp or distort under high heat.
304 stainless steel has a bright, shiny appearance, while 430 stainless steel has a duller, matte finish.
430 stainless steel is magnetic, while 304 stainless steel is not. This makes 430 stainless steel more suitable for applications where magnetism is important, such as in some electronic components.
304 stainless steel is widely used in a variety of applications, including food processing equipment, kitchen appliances, chemical processing equipment, and medical equipment. It is also used in architectural and structural applications, such as roofing sheets.
430 stainless steel is commonly used in applications such as automotive trim, kitchen appliances, and decorative trim. It is also used in industrial applications, such as furnace components and electrical equipment.
304 stainless steel is a better choice for applications requiring high strength, corrosion resistance, and heat resistance. 430 stainless steel is suitable for less demanding applications where cost is a primary consideration, and corrosion resistance is less critical.
