Difference between 301 stainless steel and 304 stainless steel

Compared with 304 stainless steel, 301 stainless steel has higher C content (304 carbon content 0.08%, 301 carbon content 0.15%), less Cr and Ni content, higher tensile strength and hardness during cold processing, and magnetism after processing.

304 is a universal stainless steel with a wide range of applications. 301 stainless steel is used for products with higher hardness.

301 stainless steel has good compressive capacity. 301 stainless steel can reach 120 Ksi (kilopounds per square inch). 304 stainless steel is only 90ksi.