Type 304 stainless steel is a T 300 Series Stainless Steel austenitic. It has a minimum of 18% chromium and 8% nickel, combined with a maximum of 0.08% carbon. It is defined as a Chromium-Nickel austenitic alloy. Grade 304 is the standard "18/8" stainless that you will probably see in your pans and cookery tools.
Type 304L is the low-carbon version of 304. It is used in heavy gauge components for improved weldability. Some products such as plates and pipes may be available as “dual certified” material that meets the criteria for both 304 and 304L. 304H, a high carbon content variant, is also available for use at high temperatures.
Corrosion Resistance: Type 304 stainless steel has excellent corrosion resistance in a wide range of environments. It can withstand exposure to water, chemicals, and other corrosive substances without corroding or rusting.
Strength: Type 304 stainless steel has high tensile strength and can withstand heavy loads without bending or breaking. It has a minimum tensile strength of 515 MPa and a minimum yield strength of 205 MPa.
Ductility: Type 304 stainless steel has good ductility, which means that it can be easily formed and shaped without cracking or breaking. This property makes it ideal for applications that require complex shapes or designs.
Weldability: Type 304 stainless steel is easily weldable, making it an excellent choice for applications that require welding. It can be welded using common welding techniques, such as TIG, MIG, and resistance welding.
Magnetic Properties: Type 304 stainless steel is non-magnetic in the annealed condition and becomes slightly magnetic after cold working. This property makes it suitable for applications that require non-magnetic properties.
Heat Resistance: Type 304 stainless steel has good heat resistance and can withstand high temperatures without losing its strength or corrosion resistance. It can withstand temperatures up to 870°C (1600°F) without undergoing any significant change in its properties.
Stainless steel 304 also corresponds to the following standard designations and specifications:
| Grade Series | Steel Grade |
| 304 Stainless steel | 06Cr19Ni10 |
| 07Cr19Ni10 | GB/T4237-2007 |
| SUS403(304) | JIS G 4304 |
| S30409(304H) | ASTM A240/A240MASME SA-240/SA-240M |
| X5CrNi18-10(1.4301) | EN 10088-2 |
| AISI (UNS) | C | Mn | P | S | Si | Cr | Ni | N |
| 304 (S30400) | ≤0.07 | ≤2.00 | ≤0.045 | ≤0.030 | ≤0.75 | 17.5-19.5 | 8.0-10.5 | ≤0.10 |
| Tensile Strength
(MPa) | Yield Strength
(MPa) | Elongation
(%) | Toughness | Density | Melting Point |
| ≥515-1035 | ≥205 | ≥40 | ≤210 | 7.93 | 1398~1454 |
Stainless steel 304 has good machinability. Machining can be enhanced by using the following rules:
Fusion welding performance for Stainless steel 304 is excellent both with and without fillers. Recommended filler rods and electrodes for stainless steel 304 is grade 308 stainless steel. For 304L the recommended filler is 308L. Heavy welded sections may require post-weld annealing. This step is not required for 304L. Grade 321 may be used if post-weld heat treatment is not possible.
304 stainless steel is used in a huge variety of applications, including:
Qinghe Steel is a full line supplier and processer of 304 stainless steel coil, sheet, plate, bar, and strip products. We stock many grades of stainless steel, including 300 and 400 series stainless, annealed and in various tempers and high temperature grades, for shipments worldwide. View our steel center here
Contact us today to discuss stainless steel for your project needs.
Read More:
Down to Composition: Factors Influencing 304 and 420 Stainless Grades
What’s The Difference: 304 Vs 316 Stainless Steel
What Is The Difference : Grade 304 Vs Grade 309?
What’s the difference: Stainless Steel 201 vs 304
Does 304 stainless steel rust?
304 stainless steel generally rusts. If 304 stainless steel is used or stored in a humid place for a long time, its surface is prone to rust. Only when used in a dry environment, it is not easy to rust. If you are worried about rusting of 304 stainless steel, it is recommended to keep it in a dry and clean place. in the environment.
How do I check the grade of stainless steel 304 or 202?
If you want to do spot check of SS, just take a random piece from the raw material and do a spark test. Run a grinder on it, if the sparks are reddish orange, thin and don't fly much it's SS304. If the sparks are yellow, thick and fly lot further it is SS 202.
Is 304 stainless steel magnetic?
The austenitic stainless steel grade 304 is not magnetic but it may become a little magnetic in areas that have been cold working (bending, deforming, etc.)
Can you weld 304 to 316 stainless steel?
The general rule with Welding Stainless Steel is to weld it with either the same grade of Welding Rod, Tig Wire or Mig Wire, or a higher grade. So you could weld 304 Stainless Steel with a 308 or 316 Rod/Wire, but you shouldn't weld 316 with a 308 Rod/Wire. What’s The Difference: 304 Vs 316 Stainless Steel
Can you heat treat 304 stainless steel?
Stainless steel 304 cannot be hardened by heat treatment. Solution treatment or annealing can be done by rapid cooling after heating to 1010-1120°C.
Is 304 stainless steel food grade?
Food grade stainless steel is steel that met all criteria to be deemed safe for food preparation, storage, and dining. The most common food grade stainless steel is Type 304.
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