Stainless steel and carbon steel both are highly demandable material used in Industrial sectors such as oil and gas, construction, pipelines, petrochemical plants and many others. Refer most common queries when comparing Stainless Steel vs Carbon Steel asked by the projects engineers.
Table of contents
- Rust & Acid Resistant Stainless Steel Material
- Difference Between Stainless Steel vs Carbon Steel
- Advantages of Stainless Steel and Carbon Steel
- Density of Carbon Steel
- Mechanical Properties Comparison for Stainless Steel and Carbon Steel
- Comparison of Structural Design in SS and CS
- Density of Stainless Steel
- Which Steel Is Best for Me ?
- Surface Finish Types of Stainless Steel
- Benefits of Stainless Steel
- Stainless Steel Families
- Which Factors to Consider When Choosing Between Stainless Steel and Carbon Steel Pipes ?
Categories and Grades of Stainless Steel at a Glance
ASTM Standard of Carbon and Stainless Steel Products
| ASME SA312 /ASTM A312 | Standard Specification for Stainless Steel Pipes | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Material Grade | S31653 | S31609 | TP316LN | S31651 | TP316N | |
| NO8367 | NO8904 | NO8926 | ||||
| S21900 | S20400 | TPXM-11 | S20910 | TPXM-19 | ||
| TP347H | S31060 | S31635 | S31272 | S31254 | ||
| TP310H | S30941 | S31008 | TP310S | S31002 | ||
| TP347 | S30403 | S30415 | S30409 | TP304H | ||
| TP321H | S31725 | S32100 | TP321 | S31726 | ||
| S34565 | S32109 | S33228 | S32654 | S32615 | ||
| TP304L | TPXM-29 | S30400 | TP304 | S21904 | ||
| TP309H | S30615 | S30908 | TP309S | S30815 | ||
| S38100 | S34809 | TPXM-15 | S35315 | S35045 | ||
| TP348H | TP347LN | S34800 | TP348 | S34751 | ||
| S34700 | S30909 | TP309HCb | S30940 | TP309Cb | ||
| TP316H | TP316 | S31603 | TP316L | S31600 | ||
| S31041 | S31009 | TP310HCb | S31040 | TP310Cb | ||
| S34709 | TP317 | S31703 | TP317L | S31700 | ||
| S30600 | TP304N | S30453 | TP304LN | S30451 | ||
| Length | As per your requirement. | |||||
| Size | 1/2”~48” | |||||
| End | Beveled End,Plain End | |||||
| Thickness | SCH5~SCHXXS | |||||
Rust & Acid Resistant Stainless Steel Material
| 1.4410 | X2CrNiMoN25-7-4 | |
| 1.4404 | SAF 2507 | X2CrNiMo17-12-2 |
| 1.4580 | X6CrNiMoNb17-12-2 | |
| Werkstoff No. | Mark/Brand Name | Short Name |
|---|---|---|
| 1.4006 | X12Cr13 | |
| 1.4586 | X5NiCrMoCuNb2218 | |
| 1.4016 | AISI 420 | X6Cr17 |
| 1.4578 | X3CrNiCuMo17-11-3-2 | |
| 1.4021 | X20Cr13 | |
| 1.4563 | AISI 316 Ti | X1NiCrMoCu31-27-4 |
| 1.4024 | X15Cr13 | |
| 1.4550 | Alloy 31 | X6CrNiNb18-10 |
| 1.4028 | X30Cr13 | |
| 1.4571 | X6CrNiMoTi17-12-2 | |
| 1.4034 | AISI 431 | X46Cr13 |
| 1.4562 | Sanicro 28 | X1NiCrMoCu32-28-7 |
| 1.4460 | SAF 2507 | X3CrNiMoN27-5-2 |
| 1.4057 | AISI 430F | X17CrNi16-2 |
| 1.4547 | AISI 347/348 | X1CrNiMoCuN20-18-7 |
| 1.4104 | X14CrMoS17 | |
| 1.4542 | 254SMO | X5CrNiCuNb16-4 |
| 1.4112 | X90CrMoV18 | |
| 1.4541 | 17-4PH | X6CrNiTi18-10 |
| 1.4122 | AISI 304 | X35CrMo17-1 |
| 1.4539 | AISI 321 | X1NiCrMoCu25-20-5 |
| 1.4301 | AISI 303 | X5CrNi18-10 |
| 1.4529 | Uranus B6 | X1NiCrMoCuN25-20-7 |
| 1.4305 | AISI 304L | X8CrNiS18-9 |
| 1.4507 | Alloy 926 | X2CrNiMoCuN25-7-4 |
| 1.4306 | X2CrNi19-11 | |
| 1.4501 | X2CrNiMoCuWN25-7-4 | |
| 1.4310 | X10CrNi18-8 | |
| 1.4462 | Zeron 100 | X2CrNiMoN22-5-3 |
| 1.4418 | AISI 316LN | X4CrNiMo16-5-1 |
| 1.4313 | X3CrNiMo13-4 | |
| 1.4439 | AISI 329 | X2CrNiMoN17-13-5 |
| 1.4361 | SAF 2304 | X1CrNiSi18-15-4 |
| 1.4438 | AISI 317LNM | X2CrNiMo18-15-4 |
| 1.4362 | X2CrNiN23-4 | |
| 1.4436 | AISI 317L | X3CrNiMo17-13-3 |
| 1.4371 | AISI 316 | X2CrMnNiN17-7-5 |
| 1.4435 | AISI 316 | X2CrNiMo18-14-3 |
| 1.4401 | AISI 316L | X5CrNiMo17-12-2 |
| 1.4429 | AISI 316L | X2CrNiMoN17-13-3 |
Difference Between Stainless Steel vs Carbon Steel
| Property | Stainless Steel (SS) | Carbon Steel (CS) |
|---|---|---|
| Strength of Tensile | High (varies by grade) | Higher than Stainless |
| Cost | Higher | Lower |
| Fatigue Resistance | Superior | Good (varies by grade) |
| Abrasion Resistance | Moderate | High |
| Maintenance Requirements | Low | Moderate to High |
| Shear Strength | Good (varies by grade) | High |
| Heat Treatment Capabilities | Limited | Excellent |
| Aesthetic Appeal | High | Moderate to Low |
| Welding Capabilities | Good (varies by grade) | Good (varies by grade) |
Advantages of Stainless Steel and Carbon Steel
Complete Grades of Carbon Steel and Their Equivalent
| Internal Standard | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SAE/AISI (United States) | BS (United Kingdom) | EN (Europe) | DIN (German) | |
| C35 | 1035 | – | – | C35 |
| EN8 | – | – | – | – |
| EN15B | 1536 | 150M36 | EN15B | 36Mn5 |
| EN43B | 1045 | 080A47 | EN43B | CK45 |
| EN9 | 1055 | 070M55 | EN9 | CK55 |
| EN32B | 101,510,161,018 | – | EN32B | CK15 |
| EN43 | 1055 | 080M50 | EN43 | C55 |
| 1038 | 1038 | – | – | CK38 |
| EN43C | 1050 | – | EN43C | – |
| EN42B | 1065 | – | EN42B | C67 |
| CK45 | – | – | 1045 | CK45 |
| EN42 | 1074 | – | EN42 | CK75 |
Refer Carbon Steel Material Mechanical Properties and Yield Strength
| Mechanical Properties | English | Metric | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hardness, Brinell | 163 | 163 | |
| Shear Modulus | 11600 ksi | 80 GPa | Common for Steel |
| Bulk Modulus | 20300 ksi | 140 GPa | Common for Steel |
| Hardness, Rockwell B | 84 | 84 | Brinell Hardness Conversion |
| Elongation at Break | 10% | 10% | |
| Machinability | 160% | 160% | Based on AISI 1212 Steel’s 100% Machinability |
| Tensile Strength, Ultimate | 78300 psi | 540 MPa | |
| Modulus of Elasticity | 29000 ksi | 200 GPa | Common for Steel |
| Poisson’s Ratio | 0.29 | 0.29 | Common for Steel |
| Reduction of Area | 35% | 35% | |
| Tensile Strength, Yield | 60200 psi | 415 MPa |
| Material | Value |
|---|---|
| Carbon Steel | 7.8 g/cm3 (0.284 lb/in3) |
Mechanical Properties of Most Common Stainless Steel Material
| Tensile Strength | Yield Strength | |
|---|---|---|
| Ferritic | 500 | 280 |
| Precipitation Hardening | 1100 | 1000 |
| Austenitic | 600 | 250 |
| Martensitic | 650 | 350 |
| Duplex | 700 | 450 |
Mechanical Properties Comparison for Stainless Steel and Carbon Steel
| Grade | Elongation in (%) | Design strength in (N/mm2) | Young’s Modulus in (N/mm2) | Tensile Strength in (N/mm2) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SS | ||||
| 316, (1.4401) | 40 % | 220 | 200000 | 520 |
| 304, (1.4301) | 45 % | 210 | 200000 | 520 |
| CS | ||||
| S355 | 22 % | 355 | 20500 | 490 |
| S275 | 22 % | 275 | 205000 | 410 |
Comparison of Structural Design in SS and CS
| STAINLESS STEEL | DENSITY ( KG / M3) | DENSITY ( Lb / In3) | DENSITY ( G / CM3) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 201 | 7930 | 0.286 | 7.93 |
| S32750 | 7850 | 0.284 | 7.85 |
| 202 | 7930 | 0.286 | 7.93 |
| S31803 | 7800 | 0.282 | 7.8 |
| 301 | 7930 | 0.286 | 7.93 |
| 904L | 7980 | 0.288 | 7.98 |
| 302 | 7930 | 0.286 | 7.93 |
| 431 | 7750 | 0.28 | 7.75 |
| 440C | 7620 | 0.275 | 7.62 |
| 303 | 7930 | 0.286 | 7.93 |
| 440A | 7740 | 0.28 | 7.74 |
| 304 | 7930 | 0.286 | 7.93 |
| 430F | 7700 | 0.278 | 7.7 |
| 305 | 7930 | 0.286 | 7.93 |
| 410S | 7750 | 0.28 | 7.75 |
| 316 | 7980 | 0.288 | 7.98 |
| 434 | 7740 | 0.28 | 7.74 |
| 317L | 7980 | 0.288 | 7.98 |
| 321 | 7930 | 0.286 | 7.93 |
| 316Ti | 7980 | 0.288 | 7.98 |
| 347 | 7980 | 0.288 | 7.98 |
| 316LN | 7980 | 0.288 | 7.98 |
| 444 | 7750 | 0.28 | 7.75 |
| 317 | 7980 | 0.288 | 7.98 |
| 316L | 7980 | 0.288 | 7.98 |
| 403 | 7750 | 0.28 | 7.75 |
| 310S | 7980 | 0.288 | 7.98 |
| 405 | 7720 | 0.279 | 7.72 |
| 439 | 7700 | 0.278 | 7.7 |
| 309S | 7980 | 0.288 | 7.98 |
| 410 | 7750 | 0.28 | 7.75 |
| 304LN | 7930 | 0.286 | 7.93 |
| 416 | 7750 | 0.28 | 7.75 |
| 304L | 7930 | 0.286 | 7.93 |
| 420 | 7730 | 0.28 | 7.73 |
| 2205 | 7800 | 0.282 | 7.8 |
| 430 | 7700 | 0.278 | 7.7 |
Surface Finish Types of Stainless Steel
- Mill Finishes
- Mechanically Polished Finishes
- Bright Annealed Finish
- Custom Finishes
| Family | Ductability | Weldability | Operating Temperature Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Martensitic Stainless Steel | Low | Low | 300°C – 700°C |
| Precipitation hardening Stainless Steel | Medium | Low | 316°C |
| Austenitic Stainless Steel | High | High | 870°C |
| Duplex Stainless Steel | Medium | High | 250°C – 316°C |
| Ferritic Stainless Steel | Medium | Low | 550°C – 850°C |
Austenitic Stainless Steel
Ferritic Stainless Steel
Martensitic stainless steel
Which Factors to Consider When Choosing Between Stainless Steel and Carbon Steel Pipes ?
- Temperature Considerations
- Aesthetic Considerations
- Transported Substance
- Cost Comparison