303 vs X2CrNiMoCuN25-6-3: 35% composition overlap. Significantly different materials serving different application areas.
303 vs X2CrNiMoCuN25-6-3
Side-by-side chemical composition and mechanical property comparison.
Overview
303
1.4305
Free-machining austenitic stainless steel — the most machinable of all austenitic grades. 0.15-0.35% S (as MnS inclusions) provides excellent chip-breaking. Trade-off: lower corrosion resistance than 304, poor weldability (hot cracking risk), and not suitable for cold forming. Used for high-volume automatic lathe parts: fittings, valves, screws, shafts, and precision components.
X2CrNiMoCuN25-6-3
1.4507
Super duplex stainless steel — SAF 2507 / UNS S32750. PREN >40 giving outstanding resistance to pitting, crevice corrosion, and stress corrosion cracking in chloride environments including hot seawater. 50/50 austenite-ferrite microstructure. UTS >800 MPa — roughly 2x the strength of 316L. Used for offshore oil/gas, desalination, chemical tankers, flue gas desulfurization, and subsea equipment.
| 303 | X2CrNiMoCuN25-6-3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Material Number | 1.4305 | 1.4507 |
| Category | Stainless Steel | Stainless Steel |
| Standard | EN 10088-3 | EN 10088-3 |
Chemical composition (wt%)
| Element | 303 | X2CrNiMoCuN25-6-3 | Overlap |
|---|---|---|---|
| C | 0–0.1% | 0–0.03% | OK |
| Si | 0–1% | 0–0.8% | OK |
| Mn | 0–2% | 0–1.2% | OK |
| P | 0–0.045% | 0–0.035% | OK |
Mechanical properties
| Property | 303 | X2CrNiMoCuN25-6-3 | Unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| tensile_strength | 500–750 | ≥ 800 | MPa |
| yield_strength | ≥ 190 | ≥ 530 | MPa |
| elongation | ≥ 35 | ≥ 20 | % |
Compatibility Assessment
303 and X2CrNiMoCuN25-6-3 have significantly different compositions (35% overlap). These materials are not interchangeable and serve different application areas.
Automated assessment based on composition analysis
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 303 the same as X2CrNiMoCuN25-6-3?
303 and X2CrNiMoCuN25-6-3 have a 35% composition overlap. They are generally not directly interchangeable.
Can I replace 303 with X2CrNiMoCuN25-6-3?
Generally not recommended. The compositions differ significantly (35% overlap). These materials have different alloying concepts and are intended for different applications.
What is the difference between 303 and X2CrNiMoCuN25-6-3?
The main differences are in the following elements: S, Cr, Ni. 303 is a Stainless Steel grade, while X2CrNiMoCuN25-6-3 is a Stainless Steel grade.
Related Comparisons
View full data for each material:
Data provided for reference only. Always verify against the applicable specification for critical applications.
All data is for reference only. Equivalents indicate similarity, not identity. Always verify against the applicable specification for safety-critical applications. materialref.com accepts no liability for decisions based on this data.