AISI 430 vs 304 cold rolled stainless steel coil

AISI 430 vs 304 Cold Rolled Stainless Steel Coil

Gangsteel produces both AISI 430 and 304 cold rolled stainless steel coil 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(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 or 304, or both for side-by-side comparison, Gangsteel delivers consistent quality, full traceability, and competitive pricing from our advanced Chinese production facilities.

Introduction to AISI 430 vs 304 Cold Rolled Stainless Steel Coil

AISI 430 and AISI 304 are two of the most widely used stainless steel grades in coil form, but they belong to different families: 430 is a nickel-free ferritic grade, while 304 is a nickel-bearing austenitic grade.

• 430offers excellent value, high thermal conductivity, and magnetism at a much lower cost.
• 304provides superior corrosion resistance and non-magnetic properties, making it the premium choice for harsher environments.

The choice between 430 and 304 cold rolled stainless steel coil often comes down to budget, corrosion requirements, magnetism, and thermal performance.

Chemical Composition Comparison

430 is nickel-free, which keeps costs low and stable. 304’s nickel content gives it the austenitic structure and superior corrosion resistance.

Mechanical Properties Comparison (Annealed Condition)

304 offers higher ductility and better deep-drawing performance, while 430 is easier to form in simpler operations and remains magnetic.

Equivalent Materials

Corrosion Resistance

• 430: Good in mild atmospheres, fresh water, and nitric acid. Susceptible to pitting in chlorides and salt environments.
• 304: Excellent in most atmospheric and many chemical environments, with far better resistance to chlorides and acids.

Thermal Properties

• 430: Thermal conductivity ≈ 26 W/m·K (much higher than 304)
• Thermal expansion: 10.5 × 10⁻⁶/°C (lower than 304’s 16–17 ×10⁻⁶/°C) This makes 430 ideal for heat exchangers and parts that must stay dimensionally stable when heated.

Weldability and Fabrication

• 430: Good weldability but may require post-weld annealing to restore corrosion resistance in the HAZ.
• 304: Excellent weldability with no need for post-weld annealing in most cases.

Both grades are highly formable, but 304 is preferred for severe deep drawing.

Cost and Availability

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

Choosing Between 430 and 304 Cold Rolled Stainless Steel Coil

Choose 430 when you need:

• Lower cost
• High thermal conductivity
• Magnetic properties
• Mild corrosion environments

Choose 304 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 is significantly cheaper than 304.

Which is more corrosion resistant?304, especially in chloride or acidic environments.

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

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

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

Contact our technical sales team today for current pricing, samples, or technical advice. Let Gangsteel be your reliable partner for 430 and 304 cold rolled stainless steel coil.