There are many types of stainless steel pipes. Relatively speaking, the two common pipes in the decorative pipe field are 304 and 201 pipes.

Maybe some customers don’t know the difference between these two pipes. Next, KAYSUNS will introduce the difference between 304 and 201 stainless steel pipes.

304 and 201 pipes

1 different grades
It is simple and clear to mark 201 or 304 in the American or Japanese standard, but the Chinese grade is different. 304 stainless steel grade: 06Cr19Ni10 (or OCr18Ni9), 201 stainless steel grade: 1Cr17Mn6Ni5N.

2 Difference in composition
There are two types of 201 and 304 stainless steel pipes commonly used, but they are actually different in composition. 201 stainless steel contains 15% chromium and 5% nickel. 201 stainless steel is an alternative to 304 stainless steel. Standard 304 stainless steel contains 18% chromium and 9% nickel.

3 Differences in corrosion resistance
Because the content of nickel is different, the corrosion resistance of 201 is far less than that of 304; the acid and alkali resistance of stainless steel pipe 201 is not as good as 304. 201 is high in manganese, the surface is very bright with dark and bright, and high in manganese is easy to rust. 304 contains more chromium, the surface is matte, and it is not easy to rust.

Stainless steel is not easy to rust because the formation of chromium-rich oxides on the surface of the steel body can protect the steel body. Material 201 is a high-manganese stainless steel with a higher hardness than 304, high carbon and low nickel.

4 Moisture resistance
Stainless steel 201 contains manganese, which will rust in humid and high-salt air for a long time, but 304 will not rust so easily and has good stability. It will not rust easily even if it is placed in a humid environment for a long time.

5 Applications
201 and 304 stainless steel pipes have relatively poor corrosion resistance compared with 201 stainless steel pipes. It is not recommended to be used in long-term humid environments or coastal areas. It can be used in relatively dry areas and some decorative areas with low quality requirements, such as indoor staircase handrails, guardrails, stainless steel anti-theft doors, stainless steel lighting, furniture, etc.
The 304 stainless steel pipe has better corrosion resistance and can be used in humid places or coastal areas.

6 Price
201 stainless steel has low nickel content and poor corrosion resistance, so the price will be lower than 304 stainless steel.