In stainless steel products,Precision castingIn the procurement of machined parts or industrial components,Metal Material Grade Comparison TableThis is often the first step in communication. The same material might be written as […] on Chinese blueprints. 06Cr19Ni10American customers are accustomed to labeling 304 / S30400European materials are more common 1.4301If the standards system and product form are not clarified first, deviations may occur in pricing, material selection, and quality acceptance.
This article summarizes the common metallic materials in GB/T, ASTM/UNS/SAE/AA, EN/DIN and JIS The system includes commonly used comparison relationships covering stainless steel, carbon steel and alloy steel, cast steel and stainless steel castings, aluminum alloys, copper alloys, titanium alloys and nickel-based alloys, facilitating quick retrieval during procurement inquiries, drawing reviews and preliminary material selection.
Usage reminder:The same row in the table below represents similar grades or applications that are frequently compared in engineering procurement. This does not mean that they can be directly interchanged without review. Before formal replacement, the material standard version, chemical composition, mechanical properties, supply status, heat treatment, product form, testing requirements, and written approval from the customer should still be verified.
How to interpret the International Metallic Materials Designation System
GB/T and EN designations typically reflect some compositional characteristics; UNS is the United States Uniform Numbering System; ASTM often specifies both product form and acceptance rules; SAE/AISI is commonly used for carbon steel and alloy steel; AA designations are widely used for wrought aluminum alloys. Therefore, similar names do not necessarily mean that the delivery requirements for plates, bars, tubes, forgings, or castings are the same.
| Standards system | Common annotation methods | Examples mentioned in this article |
|---|---|---|
| China | GB/T Material or Alloy Grade | 06Cr19Ni10, Q235B, 6061, TA2G |
| USA | ASTM designation, UNS number, SAE/AISI or AA designation | 304/S30400, A36, 4140, AA 6061 |
| Europe/Germany | EN symbols for grades and material numbers are used, but DIN designations are still commonly seen in trade. | X5CrNi18-10/1.4301, S235JR, EN AW-6061 |
| Japan | JIS designation | SUS304, SS400, SCM440, A6061 |
1. Stainless Steel Grade Conversion Table
Stainless steel is widely used in pump and valve parts, food processing equipment, marine hardware, building hardware, and corrosion-resistant fasteners. Austenitic stainless steel is easy to process and weld, while duplex and super duplex stainless steels, under proper manufacturing conditions, offer higher strength and better resistance to chloride corrosion.
| China GB/T | ASTM / UNS | EN / DIN | JIS | Typical application directions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 06Cr19Ni10 / S30408 | 304 / S30400 | X5CrNi18-10 / 1.4301 | SUS304 | General corrosion-resistant parts, food and building hardware |
| 022Cr19Ni10 / S304O3 | 304L / S30403 | X2CrNi18-9 / 1.4307 | SUS304L | Welding components requiring low carbon grade |
| 06Cr17Ni12Mo2 / S31608 | 316 / S31600 | X5CrNiMo17-12-2 / 1.4401 | SUS316 | Process equipment and components requiring high resistance to pitting corrosion |
| 022Cr17Ni12Mo2 / S316O3 | 316L / S31603 | X2CrNiMo17-12-2 / 1.4404 | SUS316L | Welding castings or processing equipment in corrosive environments |
| 06Cr18Ni11Ti | 321 / S32100 | X6CrNiTi18-10 / 1.4541 | SUS321 | Stabilized stainless steel for high-temperature welding applications |
| 06Cr18Ni11Nb | 347 / S34700 | X6CrNiNb18-10 / 1.4550 | SUS347 | Niobium-stabilized heat resistance and welding conditions |
| 10Cr17 / S11710 | 430 / S43000 | X6Cr17 / 1.4016 | SUS430 | Ferritic plate parts in moderately corrosive environments |
| 12Cr13 / S41010 | 410 / S41000 | X12Cr13 / 1.4006 | SUS410 | Martensitic fittings, shafts and hardware requiring hardness |
| 20Cr13 / S42020 | 420 / S42000 | X20Cr13 / 1.4021 | SUS420J1 | Hardenable and wear-resistant stainless steel parts |
| 022Cr23Ni5Mo3N / S22053 | 2205 / S32205 (S31803 may also be specified) | X2CrNiMoN22-5-3 / 1.4462 | SUS329J3L | Duplex pumps and valves, chemical and marine equipment |
| 022Cr25Ni7Mo4N / S25073 | 2507 / S32750 | X2CrNiMoN25-7-4 / 1.4410 | SUS327L1 | Super dual-phase materials for seawater, desalination and marine engineering |
For stainless steel castings, the casting grade and the wrought material grade should be reviewed separately. For example, CF8 is often interpreted in the same way as 304, and CF8M is often interpreted in the same way as 316, but the actual delivery must still be based on the casting standard and its performance requirements.
2. Comparison Table of Carbon Steel and Structural Steel Grades
Carbon steel and structural steel are commonly used in welded frames, supports, bases, flanges, general machined parts, and engineered hardware. When comparing these materials, yield strength grade, impact test results, thickness range, and delivery condition are just as important as the grade name.
| China GB/T | ASTM / SAE-AISI | EN / DIN | JIS | Application Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Q235B | ASTM A36 (Common Comparison Directions) | S235JR / 1.0038 | SS400 | For general structural steel, the limits are not entirely the same across different standards. |
| Q355B | ASTM A572 Grade 50 (Comparison of common strength grades) | S355JR / 1.0045 | SM490A | High-strength welded structure |
| 08 / 08Al | SAE 1008 | The DC01 series comparison needs to be considered in conjunction with the requirements for thin plates. | SPCC Series Comparison | For cold-formed sheet metal, the stamping or deep-drawing requirements should be specified. |
| 20 | SAE/AISI 1020 | C22E / 1.1151 | S20C | Low-carbon machining and carburized parts |
| 35 | SAE/AISI 1035 | C35E / 1.1181 | S35C | Medium carbon shafts and mechanical parts |
| 45 | SAE/AISI 1045 | C45E / 1.1191 | S45C | Commonly used shafts, pins, gears and quenched and tempered parts |
3. Comparison table of alloy steel, bearing steel and tool steel
The selection of alloy steel is closely related to heat treatment. For bolts, transmission parts, molds, and wear-resistant parts, in addition to the material quality certificate, the hardness, core properties, diffusion layer depth when necessary, and final testing methods should also be specified.
| Material Category | China GB/T | SAE / AISI / ASTM directions | EN / DIN | JIS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chromium-molybdenum alloy steel | 20CrMo | SAE 4118 / 4120 Comparison Direction | 20CrMo5 / 1.7264 Comparison Direction | SCM420 |
| Chromium-molybdenum alloy steel | 35CrMo | SAE/AISI 4135 | 34CrMo4 / 1.7220 | SCM435 |
| Chromium-molybdenum alloy steel | 42CrMo | SAE/AISI 4140 | 42CrMo4 / 1.7225 | SCM440 |
| Nickel-chromium-molybdenum high-strength steel | 40CrNiMoA | SAE/AISI 4340 | 34CrNiMo6 / 1.6582 | SNCM439 |
| bearing steel | GCr15 | AISI 52100 | 100Cr6 / 1.3505 | SUJ2 |
| Cold work tool steel | Cr12Mo1V1 | AISI D2 | X153CrMoV12 / 1.2379 | SKD11 |
| Hot work tool steel | 4Cr5MoSiV1 | AISI H13 | X40CrMoV5-1 / 1.2344 | SKD61 |
| High-speed tool steel | W6Mo5Cr4V2 | AISI M2 | HS6-5-2 / 1.3343 | SKH51 |
4. Comparison of Cast Steel and Stainless Steel Casting Grades
In precision casting procurement, a common question arises: "Is the casting grade equivalent to the bar or plate grade?" A more accurate expression is...Application-related corresponding directionsCastings are subject to casting material standards, and their permissible composition, mechanical properties, and inspection requirements may differ from those of wrought iron.
| Chinese casting grade direction | ASTM casting grade | Reference directions for relevant deformable materials | Typical casting applications |
|---|---|---|---|
| ZG250-485 (GB/T 12229 Valve Cast Steel Direction) | A216 WCB direction | Carbon steel working condition categories are not directly equivalent to wrought iron. | Valve body, housing, general pressure-bearing parts |
| ZG07Cr19Ni10 Direction | A351 CF8 | 304 / S30400 direction | Food equipment and general stainless steel casting hardware |
| ZG03Cr19Ni11 Direction | A351 CF3 | 304L / S30403 Direction | Low-carbon stainless steel casting components for welding |
| ZG07Cr19Ni11Mo2 Direction | A351 CF8M | 316 / S31600 direction | PumpsimpellerValves and marine hardware |
| ZG03Cr19Ni11Mo2 Direction | A351 CF3M | 316L / S31603 Direction | Corrosion-resistant welded or chemical-resistant components |
| Duplex Stainless Steel Castings Series | A890 / A995 Grade 4A | 2205 / S32205 direction | Duplex valve and pump castings |
| Super Dual-Phase Casting Series | A890 / A995 Grade 5A | 2507 / S32750 direction | Seawater and high chloride ion conditions castings |
5. Aluminum and Aluminum Alloy Grade Comparison Table
Aluminum materials are suitable for lightweight machined parts, housings, extruded profiles, heat dissipation components, and transportation industry parts. The temper designation of aluminum alloys, such as T5, T6, or O, significantly affects their mechanical properties and must be included in quotations and drawings.
| Alloy Series / Applications | China GB/T | AA / ASTM grade | EN grade | JIS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Industrial pure aluminum | 1060 | AA 1060 | EN AW-1060 (Al99.6) | A1060 |
| Aluminum-manganese general forming | 3003 | AA 3003 | EN AW-3003 | A3003 |
| Aluminum-magnesium marine engineering/forming | 5052 | AA 5052 | EN AW-5052 | A5052 |
| Marine engineering sheets with high magnesium content | 5083 | AA 5083 | EN AW-5083 | A5083 |
| Machining/Extrusion Structural Parts | 6061 | AA 6061 | EN AW-6061 | A6061 |
| Extrusion and building profiles | 6063 | AA 6063 | EN AW-6063 | A6063 |
| High-strength aerospace materials | 7075 | AA 7075 | EN AW-7075 | A7075 |
Die-cast aluminum alloys should be compared within the casting material standard system and cannot be directly replaced by wrought aluminum alloy grades. Series such as ADC12, A380, and EN AC-AlSi require further verification according to specific product standards.
6. Copper and Copper Alloy Grade Comparison Table
The selection of copper alloys typically involves considerations of electrical and thermal conductivity, corrosion resistance, machinability, bearing performance, or aesthetic requirements. The common names for brass and bronze do not fully account for compositional differences, especially when lead content restrictions are involved; precise composition and regulatory requirements should be verified.
| Materials | China GB/T | UNS / US Reference | EN reference | JIS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| High-purity copper | T2 | C11000 Electrolytic Tough Copper Direction | Cu-ETP / CW004A | C1100 |
| Phosphorus deoxidized copper | TP2 | C12200 | Cu-DHP / CW024A | C1220 |
| cartridge brass | H70 | C26000 | CuZn30 / CW505L | C2600 |
| Free-cutting brass | HPb62-3 / C36000 | C36000 | CuZn39Pb3 / CW614N Direction | C3604 direction |
| Tin bronze | QSn6.5-0.1 direction | C51900 direction | CuSn6 / CW452K Direction | C5191 direction |
| Cast aluminum bronze | ZCuAl10Fe3 (GB/T 1176 Direction) | C95400 (ASTM B148 direction) | CuAl10Fe3 / CC331G direction | CAC702 Direction |
7. Titanium and Titanium Alloy Grade Comparison Table
Titanium is characterized by its low density, corrosion resistance, and high specific strength, making it commonly used in marine, chemical, medical, and aerospace supply chains. In these projects, material traceability, the applicable product standards, and approval procedures are particularly important.
| China GB/T | ASTM/UNS Common References | EN / Material Number Direction | JIS | Typical application directions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TA1G (current industrial pure titanium grade direction) | Industrial pure titanium Grade 1 / R50250 orientation | 3.7025 direction | TP270 direction | Highly formable corrosion-resistant sheet |
| TA2G (current industrial pure titanium grade direction) | Industrial pure titanium Grade 2 / R50400 orientation | 3.7035 direction | TP340 direction | Common Chemical and Marine Equipment Materials |
| TA9 (Ti-0.2Pd) | Titanium Grade 7 / R52400 Direction | 3.7235 direction | TP340Pd Direction | It has stronger corrosion resistance in reducing media. |
| TC4 | Ti-6Al-4V, Grade 5 / R56400 | 3.7165 | TAP6400 Direction | High-strength titanium structural components |
8. Nickel-based and heat-resistant alloy grade comparison table
Nickel-based alloys are commonly used in applications requiring chemical corrosion resistance, high-temperature strength, oxidation resistance, or harsh fastener conditions. While commercial names for these materials are relatively common, procurement and acceptance documents should still clearly specify the UNS number and applicable product standards.
| Chinese brand direction | UNS / Common Alloy Names | EN material number direction | Typical application directions |
|---|---|---|---|
| NS5200 / H02200 direction | N02200 / Nickel 200 | 2.4060 direction | Chemical conveying and conductive nickel components |
| NS3306 direction | N06625 / Alloy 625 | 2.4856 | Marine engineering, chemical industry and high temperature corrosion resistant hardware |
| GH4169 direction | N07718 / Alloy 718 | 2.4668 | High-strength high-temperature bolts and components |
| GH4145 direction | N07750 / Alloy X-750 | 2.4669 | High-temperature resistant springs and fasteners |
| NS3304 direction | N10276 / Alloy C-276 | 2.4819 | Highly corrosive chemical environment |
Why can't brands with similar names be directly substituted?
Metal material grade reference tables are suitable for finding candidate materials, but the actual substitution decision must be supported by both engineering conditions and standard requirements. When selecting materials across standards, it is recommended to focus on the following items:
- Product Standards:Plates, bars, tubes, castings, forgings, and fasteners may each have different requirements.
- Chemical composition:The ranges of corresponding grades may overlap, but the limits for carbon, nitrogen, molybdenum, residual elements, or stabilizing elements will still differ.
- Mechanical properties:Yield strength, tensile strength, elongation, hardness, and impact properties are affected by thickness and supply conditions.
- Heat treatment or condition:Tempered steel, precipitation hardening alloys, and aluminum alloys in different states cannot be compared solely based on their composition.
- Corrosion and Temperature Conditions:Chloride ions, acidic media, operating temperature, gap and weld condition can all affect the material selection results.
- Manufacturing route:Casting, forging, rolling, welding and machining parts should adopt standards that match the machining process.
- Verification file:Obtain material certificates, batch traceability, PMI spectral verification, and relevant performance or corrosion test records as required by the project.
Practical process for procurement and engineering confirmation
- Confirm the required grade, product form, applicable standards, dimensions, and operating conditions from the drawings or quotations.
- Instead of directly issuing a substitution conclusion, use a grade comparison table to screen for potentially applicable international corresponding materials.
- Compare the differences in composition, performance, heat treatment, surface condition and inspection requirements in the current standards.
- Confirm manufacturing feasibility by combining precision casting, CNC machining, forging, stamping, welding, or fastener forming processes.
- Before production, submit suggested grades and any technical deviations to the customer and obtain written approval.
- Maintain traceability of furnace batch numbers and provide agreed inspection and material documentation with delivery.
How to select materials for precision casting and machined parts
For precision-cast and subsequently CNC-machined parts, suitable materials need to balance corrosion resistance, strength, castability, machinability, surface treatment requirements, and cost. 304, 316L, duplex 2205, and super duplex 2507 stainless steels are commonly used in pump valves, marine hardware, and process equipment parts. After proper heat treatment, load-bearing mechanical parts can also utilize cost-effective alloy steels. Aluminum and copper alloys are suitable for products with requirements regarding weight, conductivity, or appearance. Titanium and nickel-based alloys are more suitable for harsh environments such as high corrosion or high temperatures.
Haijin Stainless Steel can assist with material communication and parts processing requirements assessment based on drawings, specified grades, usage environment, quantity, and testing requirements. Providing clear execution standards and recognized international equivalent grades during the inquiry process helps shorten technical confirmation time and reduce procurement risks caused by misunderstandings of materials.
Reference standards and instructions for use
The tables in this document are for initial searches in common international procurement and technical communications. For production finalization and alternative approvals, the current version of the standard, customer drawings, and mutually agreed-upon inspection documents should be used as the basis.
- GB/T 20878-2024 Stainless Steel Grades and Chemical Compositions.
- GB/T 2100-2017 General Corrosion-Resistant Steel Castings.
- GB/T 3620.1-2016 "Titanium and Titanium Alloys: Grades and Chemical Compositions".
- GB/T 5231-2022 "Grades and Chemical Compositions of Processed Copper and Copper Alloys"; for cast copper alloys, please refer to GB/T 1176.
- GB/T 15007-2017 "Corrosion-resistant alloy grades".
- Relevant ASTM, UNS, EN/DIN and JIS product standards and the latest version of technical documents.
Disclaimer: This document is for material identification, cross-standard communication, and preliminary material selection reference only. Final material approval should be based on specific project specifications, current standards, engineering review, and mutually agreed-upon inspection data.
