What is 1.4301 stainless steel and where is V2A used?

The designations for 1.4301 – V2A, AISI 304, X5CrNi18-10

The same material has different names depending on the country and standards system. In practice, this regularly leads to confusion. Here is an overview of the most important designations:

V2A

V2A is the most commonly used designation in German-speaking countries. It dates back to 1912—the inventors’ second attempt to produce an austenitic alloy with the desired properties. “V” stands for Versuch (trial), while “A” stands for austenite. The designation remains in use today, although it has formally been replaced by material number 1.4301.

AISI 304

AISI 304 is the American designation according to the American Iron and Steel Institute. The “3” denotes austenitic stainless steels, while the following digits indicate the series number within the group. One variant is AISI 304L – the low-carbon version containing less than 0.03% carbon. 304L is particularly suitable for welding and resistant to intergranular corrosion, but less heat-resistant than 304.

X5CrNi18-10

The DIN designation X5CrNi18-10 directly describes the chemical composition: X5 indicates a carbon content below 0.07%, Cr stands for chromium (18%) and Ni for nickel (10%). Today, this designation is used primarily in technical and scientific contexts.

Chemical composition of 1.4301

The alloy consists of the following elements (maximum values in percent by weight):

• Carbon (C): max. 0.07%
• Silicon (Si): max. 1.00%
• Manganese (Mn): max. 2.00%
• Phosphorus (P): max. 0.045%
• Sulfur (S): max. 0.015%
• Chromium (Cr): 17.50–19.50%
• Nickel (Ni): 8.00–10.50%

Properties of stainless steel 1.4301

Mechanical properties

• 0.2% proof strength (Rp 0.2): ≥ 230 N/mm²
• Tensile strength (Rm): 500–700 N/mm²
• Elongation at break (A5): 35% (longitudinal/transverse)
• Charpy impact energy ISO-V: 60 J (up to 75 mm)

Physical properties

• Density: 7.9 kg/dm³
• Hardness: 160–190 HB
• Magnetizable: No – slight change possible during cold forming
• Polishability: Yes, very good
• Electrical resistivity at 20 °C: 0.73 Ω mm²/m

Behavior at Elevated Temperatures

1.4301 is suitable for use at high temperatures. Tensile strength decreases as the temperature rises:

• At 100 °C: Rm 450 N/mm²
• At 200 °C: Rm 400 N/mm²
• At 300 °C: Rm 380 N/mm²
• At 400 °C: Rm 380 N/mm²

Is 1.4301 magnetic?

No – 1.4301 is non-magnetic in its initial state. As an austenitic steel with a nickel content of 8–10 %, it remains paramagnetic under normal conditions. Cold working can slightly alter the microstructure, potentially resulting in weak magnetic properties.

Corrosion resistance

1.4301 is resistant to intergranular corrosion up to a sheet thickness of 5.0 mm – except in the as-welded condition. For welded applications with higher corrosion resistance requirements, the use of 1.4307 or 1.4404 is recommended.

Applications and industries

1.4301 is the standard material across a wide range of industries – wherever corrosion resistance, hygiene and aesthetics are equally important:

• Architecture: façade cladding, elevator cabins, escalators, interior fit-outs
• Mechanical engineering: vessels, silos, tanks, industrial furniture
• Food and beverage industry: piping, production facilities, cleanrooms
• Medical technology and pharmaceuticals: disinfection chambers, operating room equipment
• Shipbuilding: railings, handrails, guardrails
• Building services: chimneys, piping systems

Overview of international standard designations

• EN (Europe): X5CrNi18-10
• AISI (USA): AISI 304 / S 30400
• UNS: S 30400
• AFNOR (France): X5CrNi18-10 / NF EN 10088-1
• BS (Great Britain): X5CrNi18-10 / B.S. EN 10088-1
• Mill designation (DE): V2A

Finishing 1.4301 – what mirrorINOX makes of it

1.4301 is the most widely processed base material at mirrorINOX. We grind, polish, blast, coat and finish this material across a range unmatched by any other manufacturer in Europe – from HAIRLINE and VIBES to Perfect Mirror No. 10® and PVD colour coatings in Gold, Rose Gold, Black and Bronze. All surfaces are produced in-house in Cleebronn, documented and supplied with reproducible quality – from individual sheets to major projects spanning tens of thousands of square metres.