304 Stainless vs 430 Stainless
304 and 430 are the two most common stainless grades, but they belong to different families: 304 is an austenitic 18/8 chromium-nickel alloy, while 430 is a ferritic straight-chromium (~16-18% Cr, no nickel) grade. Engineers weigh them when balancing corrosion resistance, formability and cost — 430 is cheaper and magnetic, 304 is more corrosion-resistant, more ductile and non-magnetic.
The verdict
Choose 304 for general corrosion resistance, deep forming and weldability — its austenitic structure and ~8% nickel give it a higher corrosion rating, 40% elongation and easy welding. Choose 430 when cost is the priority and the environment is mild/indoor — it is ferritic, magnetic, nickel-free and noticeably cheaper, but less corrosion-resistant and far less ductile (22% elong).
Side-by-side data
| Property | 304 Stainless | 430 Stainless |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Stainless Steel | Stainless Steel |
| Density (g/cm³) | 8.0 | 7.7 |
| Tensile strength (MPa) | 515 | 480 |
| Yield strength (MPa) | 215 | 275 |
| Elongation (%) | 40 | 22 |
| Hardness | 201 HB | 85 HRB |
| Max service temp (°C) | 870 | 815 |
| Machinability | ●●●●● | ●●●●● |
| Corrosion resistance | ●●●●● | ●●●●● |
| Relative cost | ●●●●● | ●●●●● |
| Thermal cond. (W/m·K) | 16 | 26 |
| Typically used for | General corrosion-resistant parts | Low-cost decorative trim & appliances |
Which should you choose?
Choose 304 Stainless when…
- You need broad corrosion resistance for kitchens, food equipment, outdoor or wet service
- The part is deep-drawn or heavily formed — 304's 40% elongation handles severe bending
- You need reliable, crack-free welding without the embrittlement risk of ferritics
- A non-magnetic part is required (annealed 304 is essentially non-magnetic)
- The part sees elevated temperature up to ~870°C max service
- You want a single proven grade that suits most general corrosion-resistant parts
Choose 430 Stainless when…
- Cost is the main driver and you want to avoid nickel-price exposure (430 is nickel-free)
- The application is decorative trim, appliance panels or indoor hardware in a mild environment
- A magnetic stainless is needed (ferritic 430 is ferromagnetic)
- Good oxidation resistance at moderate heat matters more than aqueous corrosion (815°C max)
- The part is mostly flat or lightly formed sheet metal, not deep-drawn
- You need better thermal conductivity than 304 (26 vs 16 W/m·K)
Key differences that matter
- 304 is austenitic (18% Cr / ~8% Ni); 430 is ferritic (~16-18% Cr, no nickel) — this drives nearly every difference
- 430 is magnetic; annealed 304 is essentially non-magnetic
- 304 has higher corrosion resistance; 430's lower chromium and no nickel make it more prone to staining in wet/chloride service
- 304 is far more ductile (40% vs 22% elongation), so it deep-draws and bends without cracking
- 430 is cheaper (lower relative cost) and not subject to nickel-price swings
- 430 conducts heat better (26 vs 16 W/m·K); both share ~515/480 MPa tensile range
- Neither is hardenable by heat treatment — 304 work-hardens, 430 stays soft ferritic
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Open the Material SelectorGet a Quote →Frequently asked questions
Is 304 more corrosion resistant than 430?
Yes. 304 carries a higher corrosion rating because its ~8% nickel stabilizes the protective austenitic structure and supports a more robust passive film. 430 relies on chromium alone, so in damp, salty or food-acid environments it stains and pits more readily. For outdoor, marine-adjacent or wet service, 304 is the safer default.
Why is 430 magnetic but 304 is not?
430 is ferritic — its body-centered-cubic iron-chromium structure is ferromagnetic, so it sticks to a magnet. 304 is austenitic, a face-centered-cubic structure stabilized by nickel, which is essentially non-magnetic in the annealed condition. Heavy cold working can make 304 slightly magnetic, but it never matches 430's response.
Is 430 cheaper than 304?
Yes. 430 contains no nickel, which is the most expensive alloying element in 304, so 430 carries a lower relative cost and is insulated from nickel-price volatility. That cost advantage is the main reason 430 is used for appliance trim and decorative panels where corrosion demands are modest.
Can both 304 and 430 be welded?
Both are weldable, but 304 welds more reliably. Austenitic 304 stays tough through the weld with minimal precautions. Ferritic 430 can suffer grain coarsening and reduced ductility in the heat-affected zone, so welds are more brittle and usually limited to lighter-duty or non-structural joints.
Which is easier to form?
304 by a wide margin. Its 40% elongation lets it deep-draw, roll and bend into complex shapes without cracking, which is why it dominates sinks and formed vessels. 430's 22% elongation suits flat or lightly bent sheet but tends to crack in severe draws.
Property values are typical/nominal figures for early-stage guidance only and vary by temper, grade, supplier and heat treatment. Confirm critical specifications against a certified datasheet or with an mfgiq engineer before production.