When people talk about stainless steel, they usually mean grade 1.4301. The common trade name for this stainless steel, developed by Friedrich Krupp AG in 1912, is V2A. Screws and brackets sold in DIY stores are typically offered under this designation.
Professionals also refer to stainless steel 1.4301 as X5CrNi18-10 or AISI 304 (the American designation). What matters is always the alloy composition, which originally contained 18% chromium and 8% nickel. These proportions have since been adjusted. For stainless steel 1.4301 to remain corrosion-resistant, however, a chromium content of at least 13% is always required.
The material is heat-resistant up to 600 degrees Celsius and at the same time highly corrosion-resistant. Because it is a relatively soft metal, it is very easy to process further - both for professional fabricators and for skilled DIY users.
Where is stainless steel 1.4301 used?
Almost everywhere. Because the price of stainless steel 1.4301 is moderate compared with other high-grade metals and it can be produced in large quantities, 1.4301 V2A is used in nearly every sector. Typical examples are work surfaces in commercial kitchens and the food industry.
Stainless steel 1.4301 is also widely used in the automotive industry, in surgery and in the chemical industry. In architecture, surfaces and elements made of high-quality stainless steel are used more and more frequently, with weather resistance naturally playing a major role. End consumers know it from stainless steel pots and kitchen sinks, which are made of grade 1.4301.
There are, however, areas where 1.4301 V2A should not be used. It must not come into contact with seawater, which is why it is not used on sailing boats or in seawater swimming pools.
What is the difference between V2A and V4A?
Stainless steel 1.4301 V4A is a slightly modified variant. Molybdenum is added as an additional alloying element. This makes the stainless steel resistant to chlorides as well. Use in areas that come into contact with seawater is no problem for V4A.
All stainless steel components for motor and sailing boats are therefore made of V4A.
In terms of further processing, there are no notable differences between V2A and V4A. Both can be cold formed and are therefore suitable for stamping, deep drawing and bending. Milling, on the other hand, is difficult to carry out on either of these materials.
Ideally suited for welding
If sheets are to be joined by welding, stainless steel 1.4301 is the ideal material. It can be welded with or without filler metal. With a high carbon content, it is advisable to solution-anneal the sheet afterwards. Post-weld heat treatment can generally be dispensed with.
All standard welding processes can be used. Stainless steel 1.4301 can be processed by TIG, MIG with solid wire, MIG with flux-cored wire, manual arc welding, submerged arc welding and laser beam welding. Both thin sheets and genuinely heavy plates of 1.4301 V2A can be welded.
Can stainless steel 1.4301 be hardened?
If you want to make it particularly corrosion-resistant, various hardening processes are available. If the thermal process is chosen, martensite forms through heating and rapid quenching, protecting the material against external influences.
Another option is the thermochemical diffusion process, in which a surface layer is created using nitrogen, chromium, carbon or boron. Alternatively, a protective coating can be applied - referred to as chrome or nickel plating.
The last widely used method of hardening stainless steel is work hardening. The common process in the metalworking industry is shot peening. This requires appropriate equipment, which is why the process only pays off with regular use.
Is stainless steel 1.4301 magnetic?
To be clear from the outset: unfortunately, there is no blanket answer to whether stainless steel is magnetic or not. This is why you should pay particular attention to which stainless steel you buy if magnetism is a criterion.
Austenitic materials, which include stainless steel 1.4301, are essentially non-magnetic due to their composition. Ferritic stainless steel, on the other hand, is magnetic. If you need a magnetic stainless grade, you can use stainless steel 1.4016, for example - as is done for pots used on induction hobs.
Sourcing stainless steel 1.4301 from the experts
Naturally, such a specialised sheet cannot be bought in any DIY store. You need a specialist company set up for both the storage and the processing of stainless steel sheets. That is exactly what we do at ESC Burg. We offer individually produced sheets made of stainless steel and other metals.
And you do not have to wait long for them. A stock of more than 2,000 tonnes of stainless steel ensures that no supply bottlenecks occur. Our self-imposed target of producing every order within 48 hours also plays its part in customers receiving their individual sheet within a few days.
ESC Burg does not only handle large orders
The production site in Burg (near Magdeburg) is built to handle large order volumes. However, a deliberate decision was made not only to accept very large orders but also to serve smaller, private customers. Nevertheless, the series production of sheets and stainless steel products remains the core competence.
In addition to cutting stainless steel 1.4301 in various thicknesses, forming and surface treatment can be commissioned at the same time. This ensures that your sheet is produced on professional machinery by well-trained and experienced staff. As a customer, all you have to do is wait for the delivery and can put the sheet straight to use.
The price of stainless steel 1.4301 is significantly more attractive - and above all transparent - compared with local suppliers who only purchase smaller raw material volumes. A team of experienced sales staff will be happy to advise you and take your requirements on board.
Individual solutions for stainless steel 1.4301
If you want to leave nothing to chance, try ESC Burg. Adherence to deadlines and quality are a matter of course here. All employees are aware that only high-quality stainless steels are processed and that there is zero tolerance regarding compliance with customer dimensions.
Only a perfectly cut and processed stainless steel sheet meets the company's standards. This expressly includes the fact that we do not just manufacture our own product series, but exactly what the customer orders.
We process ferritic, austenitic and duplex steel in various thicknesses. Sourcing steels to foreign standards is no problem for us either. Our sales staff are available for any questions. We will be happy to prepare a non-binding quotation and are confident that our fast delivery times and our 1.4301 pricing will win you over.
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