1.4301 and 1.4404 are the two most common stainless steels. They look the same but behave differently in salty or acidic environments.
What distinguishes the grades
1.4301 (X5CrNi18-10) contains about 18 percent chromium and 10 percent nickel. It forms and welds well and is sufficient for many applications in dry or slightly humid environments.
1.4404 (X2CrNiMo17-12-2) also contains about 2 percent molybdenum and less carbon. Molybdenum improves resistance to pitting by chlorides, for example from salt, cleaning agents and disinfectants. That is why 1.4404 is often preferred in the food and chemical industries. Both grades are standardised in EN 10088.
What a request for stainless steel should contain
- material number or steel name
- product form, dimensions and surface finish
- environment, if the grade is still open
- required inspection certificate
- quantity in pieces, metres or kilograms
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