430 2B vs 304 2B stainless steel sheet

430 2B vs 304 2B Stainless Steel Sheet

Gangsteel produces both 430 2B and 304 2B stainless steel sheet in full compliance with the leading international standards. We can manufacture to any of the following major specifications to meet your exact project requirements:

• JIS G4305 SUS430 / SUS304(Japan)
• ASTM A240 Type 430 / Type 304(USA)
• EN 10088-2 1.4016 / 1.4301(Europe)
• DIN EN 1.4016 / 1.4301(Germany)
• GB/T 3280 10Cr17 / 0Cr18Ni9(China)
• BS 1449 430S17 / 304S31(United Kingdom)
• ISO 4954 X6Cr17 / X5CrNi18-10(International)

Whether you need 430 2B, 304 2B, or both for direct comparison, Gangsteel delivers consistent quality, full traceability, and competitive pricing from our advanced Chinese production facilities.

430 2B vs 304 2B Stainless Steel Sheet: Quick Overview

The 2B finish is the most common industrial surface for both grades — smooth, slightly reflective matte silver-gray (Ra 0.1–0.5 μm), produced by cold rolling, annealing, pickling, and a light skin-pass. It offers excellent cleanability and corrosion resistance while remaining cost-effective.

• 430 2Bis a nickel-free ferritic grade: lower cost, magnetic, superior thermal conductivity, good for mild environments.
• 304 2Bis a nickel-bearing austenitic grade: superior corrosion resistance, non-magnetic, higher ductility, the premium choice for harsher conditions.

Chemical Composition Comparison

Mechanical Properties Comparison (Annealed Condition)

304 offers significantly better ductility for severe deep drawing, while 430 is easier to form in simpler operations and remains fully magnetic.

Corrosion Resistance

• 430 2B: Good in rural/urban atmospheres, fresh water, and mild acids. Susceptible to pitting in chlorides or salt spray.
• 304 2B: Excellent in most atmospheric and many chemical environments, with far superior resistance to chlorides and acids.

For mild indoor or dry outdoor use, 430 2B is often sufficient and much more economical. For coastal, food processing, or chemical exposure, 304 2B is the better long-term choice.

Thermal Properties

430 has a clear advantage:

• Thermal conductivity: ≈26 W/m·K (430) vs ≈16 W/m·K (304)
• Thermal expansion: 10.5 × 10⁻⁶/°C(430) vs 16–17 × 10⁻⁶/°C(304)

This makes 430 2B preferred for heat exchangers, appliance panels, and parts that must stay dimensionally stable when heated.

Weldability and Fabrication

Both grades are highly formable in 2B finish.

• 430: Good weldability but may require post-weld annealing to restore corrosion resistance.
• 304: Excellent weldability with no post-weld heat treatment needed in most cases.

Cost and Availability

430 2B sheet is typically 30–50% cheaper than 304 2B due to the absence of nickel. Pricing is also more stable over time. Both are readily available from Gangsteel in sheet and coil form.

Applications: When to Choose Each

Choose 430 2B when you need:

• Lower cost
• Magnetic properties
• High thermal conductivity
• Mild corrosion environments (appliances, trim, cladding)

Choose 304 2B when you need:

• Superior corrosion resistance (chlorides, acids, marine)
• Non-magnetic properties
• Excellent deep-draw formability

For detailed product pages, please see our:

• a240 Type_430 stainless steel sheet
• EN10088 2 X6Cr17 stainless steel sheet
• DIN 1.4016 stainless steel sheet
• GB/T 10Cr17 1Cr17 stainless steel sheet
• JIS G4305 SUS 430 stainless steel sheet

FAQ

Which is cheaper?430 2B is significantly cheaper than 304 2B.

Which has better corrosion resistance?304 2B, especially in chlorides or acids.

Which is magnetic?430 2B is fully magnetic; 304 2B is non-magnetic.

Which has better thermal conductivity?430 2B (almost 60% higher than 304).

Can Gangsteel supply both?Yes — we produce and export both grades in sheet and coil form with short lead times.

Contact our technical sales team today for current pricing, samples, or application-specific advice. Let Gangsteel be your reliable partner for 430 and 304 cold rolled stainless steel sheet 2B finish.