What is the difference between stainless steel of 403 and 304

Release Time:

2025-07-16

The difference between stainless steel 304 and 403 is mainly reflected in corrosion resistance and hardness. 304 stainless steel has better corrosion resistance and toughness, and is suitable for food processing, medical equipment and other occasions; The hardness and strength of 403 stainless steel are higher, which is suitable for making knives, bearings and other applications.

The specific differences are as follows:

The structure is different: 304 is an austenitic stainless steel, with good toughness and strong corrosion resistance; 403 is a martensitic stainless steel with high hardness and strength.

Corrosion resistance: 304 stainless steel contains a higher proportion of nickel and chromium, which provides better corrosion resistance and can remain stable in humid or high pH environments. Although 403 stainless steel also has some corrosion resistance, it may be slightly inferior to 304 in some specific media.

Processability: 304 stainless steel is easier to machine, whether it is cutting, welding or forming, it is relatively simple. Whereas, 403 stainless steel is easier to harden during the processing process and requires more skill and attention.

Fields of application: Due to the above differences, the two are also different in the field of application. 304 is widely used in chemical, food, pharmaceutical and other fields; The 403 is more used in industries such as automotive, medical equipment, and kitchenware.