304 stainless steel Vs En8

The economy, employment, and steel are inter-related. Steel has impacted the world. The global wealth is investing and flourishing.

Steel has two major classifications of carbon steel and stainless steel. These both are steel, but not stainless steel

En8 is carbon steel, and grade 304 is austenitic stainless steel. Selecting the best type of steel is the most important aspect of any project. Deep knowledge of similarities and disparities will lead to the best decisions.

En8

En8 is unalloyed medium carbon steel. It offers intermediate strength with good tensile properties. En8 can be hardened through the induction process and improves wear resistance. It is usually supplied in the normalized condition.

En8 is a good substitution for applications that require better mechanical properties than mild steel but not to the cost of stainless steel. En8 is popular for its machinability and appropriately used in the manufacturing of axles, shafts, pins, studs, bolts, keys, etc.

304 stainless steel

304 Grade is chromium-nickel stainless steel. It is the most versatile and commercially available stainless steel. 304 Stainless steel offer excellent corrosion, mechanical properties, heat resistance with good mechanical properties. It works great at cryogenic temperature. Grade 304 stainless steel is admirably known for forming and welding characteristics. It cannot be hardened by heat treatment.

304 is an excellent choice for applications requiring corrosion resistance coupled with strength and forming capabilities. It is widely used in food processing equipment, architectural paneling, etc.

Difference between En8 and 304

Grade 304 offers superior strength, corrosion resistance, durability, and appearance over En8. But En8 shows comparable machinability and tensile strength to grade 304. En8 is malleable and cheaper than grade 304, which makes it extensively ideal for big projects. Stainless steel is costly but ideal for its application. For example, cutlery requires perfect shine with corrosion resistance abilities and durability. En8 is a misfit for such applications and grade 304 is the supreme choice.

EN 8 Chemical Composition Vs 304 Chemical Composition

En8 is medium carbon steel with no alloys. 304 is low carbon stainless steel with chromium and nickel as an alloying agent in the composition.

Grade Carbon Chromium Nickel Manganese Phosphorus Sulfur Silicon
304 0.08

max

18-20% 8-10.50 2.0

max

0.045

max

0.030

max

1.0 max
en 8 chemical Composition 0.35-0.45 0.60-1.00 0.05 max 0.005 max 010-0.40

Physical and mechanical properties

Grades Tensile strength Yield strength Hardness
304 515 205 201 HB
En8 550 280 207HB

Applications

En8 is general-purpose engineering steel and used commercially in hydraulic rams, axles, connecting rods, screws, bolts, and automotive components.

Grade 304 is mainly used in commercial food processing units, home appliances, heat exchangers, water filtration systems, fasteners, etc.

Conclusion

En8 and grade 304 are incomparable in terms of composition, qualities, and applications. En8 is the substitution for stainless steel in some choice but the addictive properties of stainless steel are perfect of their own.

Ambica Steels is a leading company with decades of expertise in producing stainless steel products. Kindly contact the sales team for any assistance.

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