304 / X5CrNi18-10 vs X50CrMoV15: 56% composition overlap. Moderate differences, generally not direct substitutes.
304 / X5CrNi18-10 vs X50CrMoV15
Side-by-side chemical composition and mechanical property comparison.
Overview
304 / X5CrNi18-10
1.4301
The world's most widely used stainless steel — the original 18/8 austenitic. Good corrosion resistance in atmospheric, organic, and inorganic environments. Excellent formability and weldability. Not recommended for chloride-rich or marine environments (use 316L). Used in food processing, kitchen equipment, architecture, tanks, and general engineering.
X50CrMoV15
1.4116
Premium martensitic stainless steel with 0.50% C, 15% Cr, Mo and V additions. The signature blade steel of German knife manufacturers (Wüsthof, Zwilling J.A. Henckels, Victorinox Swiss Army). Mo and V improve corrosion resistance, hardenability, and toughness beyond basic Cr13 grades. Achieves 55-57 HRC. Excellent rust resistance, easy sharpening, and good edge retention. Also known as Krupp 4116. Equivalent to 5Cr15MoV (Chinese).
| 304 / X5CrNi18-10 | X50CrMoV15 | |
|---|---|---|
| Material Number | 1.4301 | 1.4116 |
| Category | Stainless Steel | Stainless Steel |
| Standard | EN 10088-2 | EN 10088-2 |
Chemical composition (wt%)
| Element | 304 / X5CrNi18-10 | X50CrMoV15 | Overlap |
|---|---|---|---|
| C | 0–0.07% | 0.45–0.55% | No overlap |
| Si | 0–1% | ≤ 1% | OK |
| Mn | 0–2% | ≤ 1% | OK |
| P | 0–0.045% | ≤ 0.04% | OK |
Mechanical properties
| Property | 304 / X5CrNi18-10 | X50CrMoV15 | Unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| tensile_strength | 500–700 | ≥ 900 | MPa |
| yield_strength | ≥ 190 | ≥ 700 | MPa |
| elongation | ≥ 45 | ≥ 8 | % |
Compatibility Assessment
304 / X5CrNi18-10 and X50CrMoV15 have moderate differences (56% overlap). They are generally not direct substitutes. Consider the specific requirements of your application.
Automated assessment based on composition analysis
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 304 / X5CrNi18-10 the same as X50CrMoV15?
304 / X5CrNi18-10 and X50CrMoV15 have a 56% composition overlap. They are generally not directly interchangeable.
Can I replace 304 / X5CrNi18-10 with X50CrMoV15?
Generally not recommended. The compositions differ significantly (56% overlap). These materials have different alloying concepts and are intended for different applications.
What is the difference between 304 / X5CrNi18-10 and X50CrMoV15?
The main differences are in the following elements: C, Cr. 304 / X5CrNi18-10 is a Stainless Steel grade, while X50CrMoV15 is a Stainless Steel grade.
Related Comparisons
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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.