In many consumer’s eyes, there’s nothing difference between stainless steel #201 and #304. It’s hard to distinguish by our eyes, here some useful info to distinguish them.
Compared to 304 stainless steel, 201 stainless steel nickel and chromium element content is lower than 304, and because 201 stainless steel contains a lot of manganese, 304 stainless steel manganese content of less than 2%, used to say no manganese, and strictly called low manganese. However, the color point of view, 201 stainless steel manganese element, the color will be darker than 304, 304 to light some, but it is not easily distinguishable to the naked eye.
-
Because of the difference in nickel content, 201 stainless steel corrosion resistance and acid-base resistance are lower than 304. And because the carbon content of 201 is higher than 304, so 201 to 304 than the hard and brittle, a little steel, more easily cracked, while the 304 is better toughness. If you use a hard knife in the 201 stainless steel surface scratched the surface will have obvious scratches, but the scratches 304 will not be particularly evident.
-
Because 201 stainless steel contains manganese, if long-term in the wet and salty air will rust, but 304 stainless steel will not rust. Some people may say that 304 stainless steel will rust, it is probably not 304 stainless steel.
-
Now on the market there is a detection of stainless steel reagent, as long as a few drops can be a few seconds What is the difference between the material Stainless steel, the principle is very simple: the elements contained in the material reacts with the reagent to produce colored material. Reagent itself is very low cost, and accurate and convenient, is a good way to distinguish.
-
You can also use professional testing equipment – spectrometer detection. This method is the fastest and most accurate, but the instrument is expensive. If the material is very important, you can find a special testing company, they will have a spectrometer.