Difference between 430 and 304 Stainless Steel

What is the difference between 430 and 304 stainless steel?

The most distinguishing feature of both these stainless steels is the classes that they belong to. While grade 304 belongs to the austenitic class of stainless steels, grade 430 falls under the ferritic class. This means that their crystalline microstructure varies. The microstructure of grade 304 is an FCC kind, which is a closely packed type. This closely packed crystal makes this particular alloy soft, which is why it exhibits superior malleability and ductility. In the case of grade 430, the ferrite structure is a body centered cubic structure, which has a higher density as the interstices between the carbon atoms is very small. And so the BCC material is far less malleable than FCC austenite crystals. Due to its body centered cubic structure, the ferrite crystals in grade 430 makes them harder stainless steel. Grade 430 is a ferritic class non-hardenable stainless steel grade. This grade solely contains chromium, between 16% to 18% belongs to the ferritic group of steels, with very trace amounts of nickel, manganese, sulfur, phosphorus, and silicon. This is why grade 430 is referred to as a straight chromium alloy. Contrary to grade 430, alloy 304 has higher alloyants in the metal. The content of chromium is similar for both alloy grades. However, the inclusion of 8% nickel makes grade 304 a better grade for several reasons. For instance, the resistance of the alloy to corrosion is high, the ability to withstand higher temperatures are high as well.

430 and 304 stainless steel machinability

In comparison to conventional austenitic stainless steels such as grade 304, the machinability of the stainless steel grade 430 is a lot easier. However, there is still a possibility of the material undergoing galling. Generally, Lightly drawn components are easily machined as opposed to components in the annealed condition. Since grade 304 tends to work harden, optimum results are achieved by the use of heavier feeds, excellent lubrication, slower speeds,  sharp tooling in addition to a piece of powerful rigid equipment.

430 and 304 stainless steel magnetic properties

There is a reason why some stainless steels exhibit magnetic behavior whilst others do not. The first reason for steel to exhibit magnetic behavior is its chemical composition. The inclusion of elements such as Chromium, molybdenum, and silicon increases the likelihood of the alloy’s magnetic properties at room temperature. The second reason is the microstructure of its alloy, which of course is also linked to its elemental composition. Chromium, molybdenum, and silicon containing steels such as grade 430 tend to exhibit the bcc crystal structure at ambient temperature. Lastly in ferritic stainless steel grades, including straight chromium grades like 430, the metallic atoms are positioned on a body-centered lattice. Contrarily, the inclusion of elements such as nickel, carbon, manganese, and nitrogen are known to promote the stability of austenite crystals. This means grades like stainless steel 304, which contain nickel as high as 8% would by default have an FCC microstructure. And since the microstructure does not change at various temperatures, grade 304 is non-magnetic, unless it is worked, in which case it becomes a ferromagnetic alloy.

Stainless steel 304 vs 430 price

Like all nickel containing alloys, grade 304 is more expensive than grade 430. Commodity metals, including nickel, have high traded prices in exchanges, which makes the use of this element in metallurgy expensive, as compared to other metals. Straight chromium stainless steel alloys have a lower cost, which is why they are popular in applications that require high strength and lower resistance to corrosion.

Stainless steel 304 vs 430 weldability

Most austenitic alloys have good weldability, and they can be welded using any conventional techniques. Furthermore, the weld efficiency and quality could be increased by lowering the content of carbon to produce a dual certified stainless steel grade like  304/304L. The risk of carbide precipitation is lower and the susceptibility of intergranular corrosion is also lowered, The welding procedure for stainless steel grade 430 starts with its pre-heating treatment. The pre-heat temperature is to be kept between a range of 150 - 200°C. In the case of embrittlement in the welded area, the same region on grade 430 could be treated by the use of post-weld annealing treatment. Despite the use of a post weld annealing treatment, grain refinement of grade 430 is not possible. Manufacturers recommend the use of filler rods in any of the following grades 430, 308L, 309, or 310 to improve weldability.

AISI 430 Stainless Steel Mechanical Properties

	English	Metric
Ultimate Tensile Stress	75000 psi	517 MPa
Tensile Yield Stress	50000 psi	345 MPa
Hardness (Rockwell B)	85	85
Modulus of Elasticity	29000 ksi	200 GPa
Elongation at Break	25%	25%

Is 430 Stainless Steel Food Grade?

Yes, because it contains only 16 to 18 % chromium

Is 430 Stainless Steel Magnetic alloy?

Yes

Compare 304 and 430 Stainless Steel Chemical Composition

430 vs 430F Stainless Steel Chemical Composition

430 Stainless Steel Corrosion Resistance

• Good corrosion resistance
• Oxidation resistance & heat up to 1500 °F (816 °C) 

430 Stainless Steel Uses and Applications

• Dish washer linings
• Utensils
• Automotive trim
• Range hoods
• Refrigerator cabinet panels
• Chimney liners
• Stove trim rings
• Formed / Drawn parts
• Handling equipment for mining
• Industrial roofing & wall cladding
• Grade 430F used in machined parts
• and other Heat-resisting applications

Does 430 Stainless Steel Rust?

Can resist rusting in wet conditions.

SS 430 Finishes

Most 430 is used in the BA of N4 finishes. Flat products surface are protected with a white polyethylene (PE) film.

• BA (bright annealed)
• N4 (polished)
• 2B (cold rolled, skin passed)

AISI 430 Stainless Steel Equivalent

Stainless Steel 430 Electrical Resistivity

Grade	Electrical Resistivity (nΩ.m)
430	600
430F	600

Is 430 Stainless Steel Good For Knives?

Good for butter knives but not good for cutting blades knives.

430 Stainless Steel Heat Resistance

Grade	Specific Heat 0-100°C (J/kg.K)
430	460
430F	460

430 Stainless Steel Rockwell Hardness

Mechanical Properties	Metric	English
Hardness (Rockwell B)	85	85

Stainless Steel 430 Price Per Kg In India

Buy ready stock of stainless steel 430 in Chennai and Mumbai.

Physical Properties of 430 Stainless Steel

430 Stainless Steel Tensile Strength

Mechanical Properties	Metric	English
Ultimate Tensile Stress	517 MPa	75000 psi

430 Stainless Steel Yield Strength

	Metric	English
Tensile Yield Strength	345 MPa	50000 psi
Modulus of Elasticity	200 GPa	29000 ksi
Ultimate Tensile Stress	517 MPa	75000 psi
Elongation at Break	25%	25%

Stainless Steel 304 Chemical composition

SS 304 Mechanical properties

304 SS equivalent standard & specification

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