304 VS 430 stainless steel: what's the difference?

304 stainless steel and 430 stainless steel are common stainless steel materials with significant differences in chemical composition, properties, and applications.

1. Chemical composition:
-304 stainless steel contains higher levels of nickel and chromium, typically 18% -20% chromium and 8% -10.5% nickel. 430 stainless steel contains less chromium (16% -18%) and very low or no nickel.

2. Corrosion resistance:
-304 stainless steel has excellent corrosion resistance and good resistance to corrosion in most environments. Relatively speaking, the corrosion resistance of 430 stainless steel is slightly inferior, and its corrosion performance in oxidizing acid and salt environments is poor.

3. Magnetic:
-304 stainless steel is usually non-magnetic, while 430 stainless steel is ferromagnetic and can be magnetized. This makes it different in some specific applications, such as those with magnetic requirements.