Stainless steel and its price are directly proportional. The price of 201 stainless steel is relatively low than 304 stainless steel, but it is also easy to rust. 304 serious is the most commonly used stainless steel at present which has good quality and is not easy to rust.

Different ingredients. 201 stainless steel has high manganese so that the surface is dark with bright. However, 304 stainless steel has more chromium so the surface is matte.

Overall, the corrosion resistance of 304 stainless steel is better than 201 stainless steel.

How to distinguish between 201 stainless steel and 304 stainless steel?

Observe and touch

201 stainless steel looks nice and bright and feels smooth when touched. However, 304 stainless steel looks darker and less lustrous and feels rough when touched. If you wipe these two stainless steel with clean water, as you can see the water-stained and fingerprints of 304 are easier to erase than 201 stainless steel.

Watching the sparks when polishing

If using the same polishing force, as you can see the sparks of 201 stainless steel will be longer ,thicker and more sparks. However, the sparks of 304 stainless steel will be shorter ,thinner and less sparks.

Watching the color after using pickling cream

Watching the color change after using the pickling cream on the stainless steel. 201 stainless steel’s color will turn black however 304 stainless steel’s color will turn white or doesn’t change any color.