To understand how duplex stainless steel works, first compare the composition of two familiar steel austenitic 304 (1.4301) and ferritic 430 (1.4016).
| Structure | Grade | EN Number | C | Si | Mn | P | S | N | Cr | Ni | Mo |
| Ferritic | 430 | 1.4016 | 0.08 | 1.00 | 1.00 | 0.040 | 0.015 | - | 16.0/18.0 | - | - |
| Austenitic | 304 | 1.4301 | 0.07 | 1.00 | 2.00 | 0.045 | 0.015 | 0.11 | 17.5/19.5 | 8.0/10.5 | - |
The important elements in stainless steel can be classified into ferritisers and austenitisers. Each element favours one structure or the other:



