304 vs 410 vs 201 vs 420 stainless steel

304 vs. 410 vs. 201 vs. 420 Stainless Steel: A Detailed Comparison

At Gangsteel, a leading manufacturer and exporter of stainless steel products, we supply high-quality SA 240 GR 304, SA 240 GR 410, SA 240 GR 201, and SA 240 GR 420 stainless steel plates compliant with ASME SA 240 and ASTM A240 standards. These grades—304 (UNS S30400), 410 (UNS S41000), 201 (UNS S20100), and 420 (UNS S42000)—represent different stainless steel families with distinct properties suited for various applications.

This article compares 304, 410, 201, and 420 in terms of chemical composition, mechanical properties, corrosion resistance, weldability, cost, and applications to help you choose the right material for uses like plat stainless 304 and SA 240 GR 304 pipe. For inquiries, contact us at admin@gangsteel.com or explore our ASME SA 240 stainless steel plate offerings.

Overview of 304, 410, 201, and 420 Stainless Steel

• SA 240 GR 304 (AISI 304, 1.4301): An austenitic stainless steel with excellent corrosion resistance, formability, and non-magnetic properties, ideal for food processing and general applications.
• SA 240 GR 410 (AISI 410, 1.4006): A martensitic stainless steel with high strength, moderate corrosion resistance, and magnetic properties, used in cutlery and valves.
• SA 240 GR 201 (AISI 201, 1.4372): A low-nickel, high-manganese austenitic stainless steel, cost-effective with moderate corrosion resistance, suitable for indoor applications.
• SA 240 GR 420 (AISI 420, 1.4021): A martensitic stainless steel with higher carbon for increased hardness, used in applications requiring wear resistance like surgical tools.

304 and 201 are austenitic (non-magnetic), while 410 and 420 are martensitic (magnetic). All are specified under ASME SA 240 for plates, sheets, and strips.

Chemical Composition Comparison

• 304: High chromium and nickel for excellent corrosion resistance and SA 240 304 non magnetic properties.
• 410: Lower chromium, minimal nickel, and higher carbon for strength and hardness; magnetic.
• 201: High manganese and nitrogen, low nickel to reduce cost; moderate corrosion resistance.
• 420: Higher carbon for maximum hardness; lower chromium limits corrosion resistance.

Mechanical Properties Comparison

• Strength: 420 offers the highest tensile and yield strength due to high carbon; 201 has higher yield than 304/410.
• Ductility: 304 and 201 are more formable (higher elongation); 410/420 are less ductile due to martensitic structure.
• Hardness: 420 achieves high hardness (up to 500 HB when hardened), suitable for wear-resistant applications.

Corrosion Resistance Comparison

• 304: Excellent in atmospheric, freshwater, and mild acid environments (food-grade); outperforms SS204 vs SS 304. Less resistant to chloride pitting. See sa 240 gr 304.
• 316: Superior pitting and crevice corrosion resistance in chloride environments (e.g., marine, chemical) due to molybdenum. See sa 240 gr 316l.
• 201: Moderate corrosion resistance, suitable for indoor/dry environments; prone to pitting in chlorides.
• 410/420: Limited corrosion resistance due to lower chromium and no nickel; suitable for mild environments but prone to rust in harsh conditions.

For harsher environments, explore sa 240 gr 317l.

Weldability Comparison

• 304: Good weldability with ER308 fillers; SA 240 GR 304L preferred for critical welds to avoid sensitization. See sa 240 gr 304l.
• 410: Poor weldability due to martensitic structure; requires preheating and post-weld treatment to prevent cracking.
• 201: Fair weldability; higher carbon (≤0.15%) increases sensitization risk, needing careful heat control.
• 420: Very poor weldability due to high carbon; requires specialized procedures and post-weld annealing.

Magnetic Properties

• 304/201: Non-magnetic (austenitic) in annealed state, ideal for applications requiring SA 240 304 non magnetic properties. Slight magnetism possible after cold-working.
• 410/420: Magnetic (martensitic), unsuitable for non-magnetic applications like medical devices.

Cost Comparison

As of October 15, 2025:

Gangsteel offers 304 at $1.60/kg FOB, 410/201/420 on request (MOQ 1 ton). Contact admin@gangsteel.com.

Applications

• 304: Food processing (tanks, plat stainless 304), chemical equipment, architecture (plate 2 mm SUS 304), medical devices. See sa 240 gr 304.
• 410: Cutlery, valves, pump shafts, turbine blades requiring moderate corrosion resistance and high strength.
• 201: Indoor appliances, decorative trim, low-cost utensils where corrosion exposure is minimal. See sa 240 gr 201.
• 420: Surgical instruments, blades, molds requiring high hardness and wear resistance.

For high-temperature applications, explore sa 240 gr 304h.

Which is Better?

• Choose 304for general-purpose applications requiring corrosion resistance, formability, and non-magnetic properties.
• Choose 410for high-strength, moderate-corrosion applications where magnetism and cost are not concerns.
• Choose 201for cost-sensitive, indoor applications with moderate corrosion resistance.
• Choose 420for high-hardness, wear-resistant applications with minimal corrosion requirements.

Why Choose Gangsteel?

Gangsteel provides certified SA 240 GR 304, 410, 201, and 420 plates with competitive SS 304 plate price starting at $1.60/kg FOB for 304. Our 600+ ton inventory supports global delivery for applications from plat stainless 304 to heavy plates. For quotes or to learn more, visit our astm a 240 stainless plate page or email admin@gangsteel.com.