What is the difference between 201 and 321 stainless steel?

Stainless steel is a widely used alloy in which iron is the main component, while small amounts of carbon and other elements are added to improve its properties. Stainless steel is favored for its corrosion resistance, high strength and aesthetics, and is often used in construction, chemical, medical equipment and other fields. Among the types of stainless steel, 201 and 321 are the two common types, and there are some important differences between them.

First of all, the composition of 201 and 321 stainless steel is different.

201 stainless steel is a chromium-nickel-manganese austenitic stainless steel containing 16-18% chromium, 4-6% nickel and a small amount of manganese. 321 stainless steel is a chromium-nickel austenitic stainless steel containing 17-19% chromium, 9-12% nickel, and small amounts of titanium or niobium. Due to the different composition, the performance and use of these two kinds of stainless steel are also different.

Secondly, the corrosion resistance of 201 and 321 stainless steels is also different.

201 stainless steel has relatively poor corrosion resistance and is susceptible to oxidation and corrosion, so its use in some demanding environments will be limited. 321 stainless steel has better corrosion resistance, especially in high temperature and strong acid and alkali environment, its corrosion resistance is more excellent.

In addition, there are differences in the use of 201 and 321 stainless steel.

Due to the poor corrosion resistance and aesthetics of 201 stainless steel, it is mainly used in some occasions with low requirements, such as furniture, doors and Windows. 321 stainless steel is widely used in chemical, petroleum, medical and other fields because of its excellent corrosion resistance and high temperature properties, especially in the need to withstand high temperature and strong corrosion occasions, such as chemical reactors, high temperature stoves and so on.

In short, 201 and 321 stainless steel are both stainless steel, but there are obvious differences in their composition, corrosion resistance and use. When choosing stainless steel materials, it is necessary to select the appropriate type according to the specific use environment and requirements to ensure that it can meet the use requirements and has good performance.