In the kitchenware industry, the choice of stainless steel material is always a game of quality and cost. In recent years, a new material named 443 stainless steel is quietly changing the market pattern -- it gradually replaces traditional 304 stainless steel with lower cost and better corrosion resistance, becoming the new favorite of cookware, tableware and kitchen equipment. This article will be from the technical breakthroughs, performance comparisons, market applications and other dimensions, to unveil the “stainless steel revolution” of the logic behind the scenes.
First, 443 stainless steel: the rise of the king of cost performance
443 stainless steel belongs to ferritic stainless steel, through the high chromium (21%) + titanium elements of the formula design, to achieve a double breakthrough in corrosion resistance and cost. Compared with 304 stainless steel (18% chromium + 8% nickel), its core advantages are reflected in:
Significant price advantage: Due to the absence of precious metals such as nickel and molybdenum, the price of Stainless Steel 443 is about 30%-40% lower than 304. Taking the market data in 2025 as an example, the price of 0.8mm thickness 443 cold rolled plate is about RMB 16.600/ton, while the price of 304 plate with the same specification is as high as RMB 22.200/ton.
Performance close to 304: Laboratory data show that the pore corrosion resistance index (300mV) of 443 stainless steel is comparable to that of 304. and the corrosion resistance is even better than that of 304 in the salt spray test. its thermal conductivity is 30% higher than that of 304. which is more suitable for cookware scenarios that require fast thermal conductivity, such as special pots and pans for induction cooktops.
Environmentally sustainable: nickel- and molybdenum-free properties make the production process less energy-consuming and 100% recyclable, in line with the global trend of green manufacturing.
Comparison of performance: what makes 443 challenge 304?
From the chemical composition to the actual application, 443 stainless steel shows the competitiveness of “better than blue”:
Corrosion resistance: 443 is stabilized by titanium to suppress chromium depletion at grain boundaries, and maintains excellent corrosion resistance after welding.The Kanda Moe's Yukihira cookware is made of 443 stainless steel, which is 99.9% antimicrobial in laboratory tests and can be used in direct contact with foodstuffs.
Processing performance: The elongation of 443 (31%) is slightly lower than that of 304 (60%), but by optimizing the rolling process, its deep-drawn performance is close to that of 304. which meets the demand for complex kitchenware shapes. For example, TISCO developed TTS443 material, through the furnace refining technology to achieve the same molding properties with 304. has been applied to a batch of range hoods, oven liners and other products.
Thermal stability: the coefficient of thermal expansion of 443 (10.5×10-⁶/°C) is only 60% of that of 304. so it is not easy to be deformed under high temperature environment, and it is suitable for the production of steamer, fondue pot and other cookware that requires frequent heating.
Market application: full penetration from cookware to commercial equipment
The technical advantages of 443 stainless steel are being transformed into market competitiveness:
Household cookware: 443 stainless steel snow pan and milk pan launched by Japanese Kanda, Chinese Supor and other brands have become explosive models on the e-commerce platform by virtue of such features as “non-stick mallet eye pattern” and “fast heat conduction”. For example, Kanda snow pan is made of 443 material, and it takes only 2 minutes and 15 seconds to boil 2 liters of water, which is 30% faster than traditional 304 pots and pans.
Commercial equipment: In the catering kitchen, 443 stainless steel has been widely used in dishwasher liners, food processing machinery and other scenarios. A restaurant chain uses 443 stainless steel steam cabinets, whose salt spray corrosion resistance is 50% higher than that of 304 equipment, and whose service life is extended to more than 8 years.
Environmental Trend: With the promotion of “dual carbon” policy, kitchenware companies prioritize 443 stainless steel to reduce carbon emissions. For example, Haier's commercial freezers use 443 stainless steel housings to reduce carbon emissions by 30% over the entire life cycle, in line with the EU's ERP Energy Efficiency Directive.
Challenges and future: technological breakthroughs and industry adaptation
Despite the promising future, 443 stainless steel still needs to break through two bottlenecks:
Market awareness: consumers have doubts about “nickel-free stainless steel”.Enterprises need to strengthen the popularization of science, such as through food-grade certification (such as FDA, GB 4806.9) to eliminate safety concerns.
Processing optimization: 443 stainless steel has high hardness, and some molds need to adjust the R angle design to avoid cracking.TISCO and other companies have reduced the processing failure rate from 15% to less than 3% through continuous annealing technology.
In the future, as intelligence and greening become the core trends in the kitchenware industry, the potential of 443 stainless steel will be further released. For example, combined with nano-coating technology, 443 stainless steel can realize “self-cleaning” function; through the 3D printing process, it can be customized with complex structure of kitchen accessories.
Conclusion: a quiet material revolution
The rise of 443 stainless steel is essentially the result of the resonance between technological innovation and market demand.It not only meets consumers' expectations for cost-effective kitchenware, but also responds to the industry's call for low-carbon transformation. As TISCO engineers say: “443 is not a substitute for 304. but a new standard that redefines the material of kitchenware.” This material revolution is not only about stainless steel itself, but also heralds a paradigm shift from “performance first” to “sustainable value” in the entire manufacturing industry.
