How to distinguish between 304 and 201 stainless steel

304 stainless steel is currently one of the more widely used mainstream steel, because of its obvious corrosion resistance, and 201 stainless steel because of its relatively poor corrosion resistance, resulting in a wide range of different applications and prices are not the same, 201 than 304 prices are low, the reality is that there are often some opportunistic bad manufacturers pretending to be 304 to promote sales to the public, in order to obtain high 

 High nickel content means high rust resistance and also means that 304 is more expensive than 201, so the uninformed will be deceived by unscrupulous merchants. So how do you distinguish between 201 and 304?

Firstly, the conventional method, we identify it by looking at it with the naked eye and touching it with our hands. The naked eye 304 stainless steel has a good luster shiny, hand touch is very silky; 201 stainless steel is dark colour without luster, touch has a rougher and not smooth feeling. In addition, wet your hands with water, respectively, touch 2 kinds of stainless steel plate, touch the water stains on the 304 plate handprint is relatively easy to erase, 201 is not easy to erase.

Secondly, using the test tool, apply the stainless steel pickling paste to the stainless steel plate one by one. Leave it for two minutes and check the change in colour of the stainless steel where it is applied. It is recommended to try this method.

Thirdly, using mechanical operation, use a grinding machine fitted with a grinding wheel to gently polish the two types of plate, when polishing the 201 plate sparks are longer, thicker and more, and conversely the 304 plate sparks are shorter, thinner and less. Note: sanding needs to be light and consistent force to facilitate the difference, requiring a certain amount of experience in control.

Fourth, the chemical composition, due to the 201 carbon content than 304 high, so 201 than 304 than to be more hard and more brittle, 304 better toughness, with a hard knife in 201 surface scratch will generally have a very obvious scratch, 304 on the scratch is not very obvious.

 Zhejiang Bewell Steel Industry Co.,Ltd. is a professional manufacturer, processor and seller of seamless pipes, welded pipes, pipe fittings, flanges, steel rods and other finished products made of Bewell® stainless steel, duplex steel, high nickel alloy and other materials in China. We have specialized in steel manufacturing for nearly 10 years, and have won the trust of our customers with strong technical support, good quality and service timely and accurate delivery, and have developed a business pattern of dual-driven foreign trade and domestic sales.