304 Stainless Steel vs X2CrNiN18-7: 40% composition overlap. Significantly different materials serving different application areas.
304 Stainless Steel vs X2CrNiN18-7
Side-by-side chemical composition and mechanical property comparison.
Overview
304 Stainless Steel
1.4301
The most widely used austenitic stainless steel. Excellent corrosion resistance, good formability and weldability. Standard choice for food processing, chemical, and architectural applications.
X2CrNiN18-7
1.4318
Nitrogen-alloyed work-hardening austenitic — AISI 301LN. Lower Ni (6-8%) than 304 makes it metastable: cold work transforms austenite to martensite → UTS up to 1400 MPa in full-hard condition. N addition compensates low C for corrosion and strength. Used for rail car bodies, springs, structural parts requiring high strength-to-weight ratio, and architectural cladding.
| 304 Stainless Steel | X2CrNiN18-7 | |
|---|---|---|
| Material Number | 1.4301 | 1.4318 |
| Category | Stainless Steel | Stainless Steel |
| Standard | EN 10088-2 | EN 10088-2 |
Chemical composition (wt%)
| Element | 304 Stainless Steel | X2CrNiN18-7 | Overlap |
|---|---|---|---|
| C | 0–0.07% | 0–0.03% | OK |
| Si | 0–1% | 0–1% | OK |
| Mn | 0–2% | 0–2% | OK |
| P | 0–0.045% | — | — |
Mechanical properties
| Property | 304 Stainless Steel | X2CrNiN18-7 | Unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| tensile_strength | 520–720 | 550–750 | MPa |
| yield_strength | ≥ 210 | ≥ 250 | MPa |
| elongation | ≥ 45 | ≥ 40 | % |
Compatibility Assessment
304 Stainless Steel and X2CrNiN18-7 have significantly different compositions (40% overlap). These materials are not interchangeable and serve different application areas.
Automated assessment based on composition analysis
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 304 Stainless Steel the same as X2CrNiN18-7?
304 Stainless Steel and X2CrNiN18-7 have a 40% composition overlap. They are generally not directly interchangeable.
Can I replace 304 Stainless Steel with X2CrNiN18-7?
Generally not recommended. The compositions differ significantly (40% overlap). These materials have different alloying concepts and are intended for different applications.
What is the difference between 304 Stainless Steel and X2CrNiN18-7?
The main differences are in the following elements: Cr, Ni, N. 304 Stainless Steel is a Stainless Steel grade, while X2CrNiN18-7 is a Stainless Steel grade.
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Data provided for reference only. Always verify against the applicable specification for critical applications.
All data is for reference only. Equivalents indicate similarity, not identity. Always verify against the applicable specification for safety-critical applications. materialref.com accepts no liability for decisions based on this data.