Stainless Steel - Grade 304 (UNS S30400)

Chemical Formula
Fe, <0.08% C, 17.5-20% Cr, 8-11% Ni, <2% Mn, <1% Si, <0.045% P, <0.03% S

Topics Covered
Background
Key Properties
Composition
Mechanical Properties
Physical Properties
Grade Specification Comparison
Possible Alternative Grades
Corrosion Resistance
Heat Resistance
Heat Treatment
Welding
Machining
Dual Certification
Applications

Background
Grade 304 is the standard "18/8" stainless; it is the most versatile and most widely used
stainless steel, available in a wider range of products, forms and finishes than any other. It
has excellent forming and welding characteristics. The balanced austenitic structure of
Grade 304 enables it to be severely deep drawn without intermediate annealing, which has
made this grade dominant in the manufacture of drawn stainless parts such as sinks,
hollow-ware and saucepans. For these applications it is common to use special "304DDQ"
(Deep Drawing Quality) variants. Grade 304 is readily brake or roll formed into a variety of
components for applications in the industrial, architectural, and transportation fields. Grade
304 also has outstanding welding characteristics. Post-weld annealing is not required when
welding thin sections.

Grade 304L, the low carbon version of 304, does not require post-weld annealing and so is
extensively used in heavy gauge components (over about 6mm). Grade 304H with its
higher carbon content finds application at elevated temperatures. The austenitic structure
also gives these grades excellent toughness, even down to cryogenic temperatures.

Key Properties
These properties are specified for flat rolled product (plate, sheet and coil) in ASTM
A240/A240M. Similar but not necessarily identical properties are specified for other products
such as pipe and bar in their respective specifications.

Composition

Typical compositional ranges for grade 304 stainless steels are given in table 1.
 Table 1. Composition ranges for 304 grade stainless steel

Grade C Mn Si P S Cr Mo Ni N
min. - - - - - 18.0 8.0 -
304 -
max. 0.08 2.0 0.75 0.045 0.030 20.0 10.5 0.10
min. - - - - - 18.0 8.0 -
304L -
max. 0.030 2.0 0.75 0.045 0.030 20.0 12.0 0.10
min. 0.04 - - - 18.0 8.0
-
304H - -
0.045
max. 0.10 2.0 0.75 0.030 20.0 10.5

Mechanical Properties

Typical mechanical properties for grade 304 stainless steels are given in table 2.

Table 2. Mechanical properties of 304 grade stainless steel

Tensile Yield Strength Hardness

Elongation (%
Grade Strength (MPa) 0.2% Proof Rockwell B
in 50mm) min Brinell (HB) max
min (MPa) min (HR B) max
304 515 205 40 92 201
304L 485 170 40 92 201
304H 515 205 40 92 201
304H also has a requirement for a grain size of ASTM No 7 or coarser.

Physical Properties

Typical physical properties for annealed grade 304 stainless steels are given in table 3.

Table 3. Physical properties of 304 grade stainless steel in the annealed condition

Mean Coefficient of Thermal Thermal Conductivity Specific

Elastic Electrical
Density Expansion (m/m/°C) (W/m.K) Heat 0-
Grade Modulus Resistivity
(kg/m3) 100°C
(GPa) 0-100°C 0-315°C 0-538°C at 100°C at 500°C (n.m)
(J/kg.K)
304/L/H 8000 193 17.2 17.8 18.4 16.2 21.5 500 720

Grade Specification Comparison

Approximate grade comparisons for 304 stainless steels are given in table 4.

Table 4. Grade specifications for 304 grade stainless steel

 Old British Euronorm Swedish
Grade UNS No Japanese JIS
BS En No Name SS
304 S30400 304S31 58E 1.4301 X5CrNi18-10 2332 SUS 304
304L S30403 304S11 - 1.4306 X2CrNi19-11 2352 SUS 304L
304H S30409 304S51 - 1.4948 X6CrNi18-11 - -
These comparisons are approximate only. The list is intended as a comparison of functionally similar
materials not as a schedule of contractual equivalents. If exact equivalents are needed original specifications
must be consulted.

Possible Alternative Grades

Possible alternative grades to grade 304 stainless steels are given in table 5.

Table 5. Possible alternative grades to 304 grade stainless steel

Grade Why it might be chosen instead of 304

301L A higher work hardening rate grade is required for certain roll formed or stretch formed components.
302HQ Lower work hardening rate is needed for cold forging of screws, bolts and rivets.
Higher machinability needed, and the lower corrosion resistance, formability and weldability are
303
acceptable.
316 Higher resistance to pitting and crevice corrosion is required, in chloride environments
321 Better resistance to temperatures of around 600-900°C is needed…321 has higher hot strength.
A lower cost is required, and the reduced corrosion resistance and resulting discolouration are
3CR12
acceptable.
A lower cost is required, and the reduced corrosion resistance and fabrication characteristics are
430
acceptable.

Corrosion Resistance

Excellent in a wide range of atmospheric environments and many corrosive media. Subject
to pitting and crevice corrosion in warm chloride environments, and to stress corrosion
cracking above about 60°C. Considered resistant to potable water with up to about 200mg/L
chlorides at ambient temperatures, reducing to about 150mg/L at 60°C.

Heat Resistance

Good oxidation resistance in intermittent service to 870°C and in continuous service to

925°C. Continuous use of 304 in the 425-860°C range is not recommended if subsequent
aqueous corrosion resistance is important. Grade 304L is more resistant to carbide
precipitation and can be heated into the above temperature range.

Grade 304H has higher strength at elevated temperatures so is often used for structural and
pressure-containing applications at temperatures above about 500°C and up to about
800°C. 304H will become sensitised in the temperature range of 425-860°C; this is not a
problem for high temperature applications, but will result in reduced aqueous corrosion
resistance.
Heat Treatment

Solution Treatment (Annealing) - Heat to 1010-1120°C and cool rapidly. These grades
cannot be hardened by thermal treatment.

Welding

Excellent weldability by all standard fusion methods, both with and without filler metals. AS
1554.6 pre-qualifies welding of 304 with Grade 308 and 304L with 308L rods or electrodes
(and with their high silicon equivalents). Heavy welded sections in Grade 304 may require
post-weld annealing for maximum corrosion resistance. This is not required for Grade 304L.
Grade 321 may also be used as an alternative to 304 if heavy section welding is required
and post-weld heat treatment is not possible.

Machining

A "Ugima" improved machinability version of grade 304 is available in bar products. "Ugima"
machines significantly better than standard 304 or 304L, giving higher machining rates and
lower tool wear in many operations.

Dual Certification

It is common for 304 and 304L to be stocked in "Dual Certified" form, particularly in plate
and pipe. These items have chemical and mechanical properties complying with both 304
and 304L specifications. Such dual certified product does not meet 304H specifications and
may be unacceptable for high temperature applications.

Applications

Typical applications include:

• Food processing equipment, particularly in beer brewing, milk processing & wine
making.

• Kitchen benches, sinks, troughs, equipment and appliances

• Architectural panelling, railings & trim

• Chemical containers, including for transport

• Heat Exchangers

• Woven or welded screens for mining, quarrying & water filtration

• Threaded fasteners

• Springs
Source: Atlas Steels Australia

Stain Steel 304

Material Notes

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.

These are some of its characteristics:

- Forming and welding properties
- Corrosion/ oxidation resistance thanks to the chromium content
- Deep drawing quality
- Excellent toughness, even down to cryonegic temperatures which are defined
as very low temperatures
- Low temperature properties responding well to hardening by cold working
- Ease of cleaning, ease of fabrication, beauty of appearance

Grade 304L is the low carbon version of 304. It does not require post-weld
annealing and so is extensively used in heavy gauge components (over about
6mm).
Grade 304H with its higher carbon content finds application at elevated
temperatures.

Applications

It is used for a wide variety of home and commercial applications, this is one of
the most familiar and most frequently used alloys in the stainless steel family.
Typical applications include tanks and containers for a large variety of liquids
and solids:
- Food industry
Food processing equipment, particularly in beer brewing, milk processing &
wine making.

For example it is highly suitable and applied in dairy equipment such as milking
machines, containers, homogenizers, sterilizers, and storage and hauling tanks,
including piping, valves, milk trucks and railroad cars.

Very common in the brewing industry where it is used in pipelines, yeast pans,
fermentation vats, storage and railway cars, etc.
The citrus and fruit juice industry also uses Type 304 for all their handling,
crushing, preparation, storage and hauling equipment.

- Domestic tools industry

Because of its ability to withstand the corrosive action of various acids found in
fruits, meats, milk, and vegetables, Type 304 is used for sinks, tabletops,
coffee urns, stoves, refrigerators, milk and cream dispensers, and steam
tables. It is also used in numerous other utensils such as cooking appliances,
pots, pans, and flatware.
- Architectural panelling, railings & trim

- Chemical containers, including for transport

- Heat Exchangers

- Woven or welded screens for mining, quarrying & water filtration

- Dyeing industry

- In the marine environment, because of it slightly higher strength and wear

resistance than type 316 it is also used for nuts, bolts, screws, and other
fasteners.
Chemistry % by Weight

Element
Type 302 Type 304 Type 304L Type 305
Fe 64.99-74%
Cr 17% 18% 18% 17%
Ni 8% 8% 8% 10.50%
Mn 2% 2% 2% 2%
N 0.10% 0.10% 0.10% -
S 0.03% 0.03% 0.03% 0.03%
C 0.15% 0.08% 0.03% 0.12%
Si 0.75% 0.75% 0.75% 0.75%
P 0.045% 0.045% 0.045% 0.045%
Possible Alternative Grades

Possible alternative grades to 304 grade stainless steel:

- Grade 301L: It is applicable for higher work hardening rate grade.

It could be required for certain roll formed or stretch formed components.

- Grade 302HQ: Lower work hardening rate grade. It could be needed for cold forging
of screws, bolts and rivets.

- Grade 303: Higher machinability needed; lower corrosion resistance;

acceptable formability and weldability.

- Grade 316: Used when higher resistance to pitting and crevice corrosion is
required, also in chloride environments

- Grade 321: Better resistance to temperatures of around 600-900°C. It has

higher hot strength.

- Grade 3CR12: It has lower cost; reduced corrosion resistance and resulting discoloration are
acceptable.

- Grade 430: It has lower cost; reduced corrosion resistance and fabrication characteristics are
acceptable.
Properties
Properties Value Comment
Physical Properties
Density 8.03 g/cc
Mechanical properties
Hardness, Rockwell B 82
Tensile Strength, Ultimate 621 Mpa (=90100psi)
Tensile Strength, Yield 290 Mpa (=42100psi) 0.2% YS
Elongation at Break 55% in 2 inches
Modulus of Elasticity 193 Gpa tension
Modulus of Elasticity 78 Gpa torsion
Electrical properties
Electrical Resistivity 0.000116 ohm-cm 659 °C
Electrical Resistivity 7.2e-005 ohm-cm
H = 200 Oersteds,
Magenetic permeability Max 1.02
Annealed
Thermal properties
CTE, linear 20°C 16.9 µm/m-°C 0 to 100°C
CTE, linear 20°C 18.7 µm/m-°C to 649°C
Heat Capacity 0.5 J/g-°C 0°C to 100°
Thermal Conductivity 16.2 W/m-K 100°C
Thermal Conductivity 21.4 W/m-K 500°C
Processing properties
Melt temperature 1371- 1399 °C
For information about the periodic table of elements

Read more:

Stainless Steel 304 Material Property Data Sheet

Do you need custom fasteners created with Stainless Steel 304? Since our inception, Vegas Fastener Manufacturing has met
every challenge of providing Quality, Timely, Cost-effective solutions for specialty fastener applications. Every product is built
to your specifications, using your prints if necessary.

Below are the technical specifications of the Stainless Steel 304 Bar Stock we have available to meet your needs.

AISI Type 304 Stainless Steel

Subcategory: Heat Resisting; Metal; Stainless Steel; T 300 Series Stainless Steel
Close Analogs: UNS S30400; AMS 5501, 5513, 5560, 5565; ASME SA182, SA194 (8), SA213, SA240; ASTM A167,
A182, A193, A194
Key Words: aisi304, aisi 304, T304, T 304, SUS304, SS304, 304SS, 304 SS, UNS S30400, AMS 5501, AMS 5513, AMS
5560, AMS 5565, AMS 5566, AMS 5567, AMS 5639, AMS 5697, ASME SA182, ASME SA194 (8), ASME SA213, ASME
SA240, ASME SA249, ASME SA312, ASME SA320 (B8), ASME SA358, ASME SA376, ASME SA403, ASME SA409,
ASME SA430, ASME SA479, ASME SA688, ASTM A167, ASTM A182, ASTM A193, ASTM A194, ASTM A666, FED
QQ-S-763, MILSPEC MIL-S-5059, SAE 30304, DIN 1.4301, X5CrNi189, B.S. 304 S 15, EN 58E, PN 86020 (Poland),
OH18N9, ISO 4954 X5CrNi189E, ISO 683/13 11, 18-8

Component Wt. %

C Max 0.08

Cr 18 - 20

Fe 66.345 - 74

Mn Max 2
 Ni 8 - 10.5

P Max 0.045

S Max 0.03

Si Max 1

Material Notes:
Austenitic Cr-Ni stainless steel. Better corrosion resistance than Type 302. High ductility, excellent
drawing, forming, and spinning properties. Essentially non-magnetic, becomes slightly magnetic when
cold worked. Low carbon content means less carbide precipitation in the heat-affected zone during
welding and a lower susceptibility to intergranular corrosion.
Applications: beer kegs, bellows, chemical equipment, coal hopper linings, cooking equipment,
cooling coils, cryogenic vessels, dairy equipment, evaporators, flatware utensils, feedwater tubing,
flexible metal hose, food processing equipment, hospital surgical equipment, hypodermic needles,
kitchen sinks, marine equipment and fasteners, nuclear vessels, oil well filter screens, refrigeration
equipment, paper industry, pots and pans, pressure vessels, sanitary fittings, valves, shipping drums,
spinning, still tubes, textile dyeing equipment, tubing.
Corrosion Resistance: resists most oxidizing acids and salt spray.
Physical Properties Metric English Comments

Density 8 g/cc 0.289 lb/in³

Mechanical Properties

Hardness, Brinell 123 123 Converted from Rockwell B hardness.

Hardness, Knoop 138 138 Converted from Rockwell B hardness.

Hardness, Rockwell B 70 70

Hardness, Vickers 129 129 Converted from Rockwell B hardness.

Tensile Strength, Ultimate 505 MPa 73200 psi

Tensile Strength, Yield 215 MPa 31200 psi at 0.2% offset

Elongation at Break 70 % 70 % in 50 mm
 Modulus of Elasticity 193 - 200 GPa 28000 - 29000 ksi

Poisson's Ratio 0.29 0.29

Charpy Impact 325 J 240 ft-lb

Shear Modulus 86 GPa 12500 ksi

Electrical Properties

Electrical Resistivity 7.2e-005 ohm-cm 7.2e-005 ohm-cm at 20°C (68°F); 1.16E-04 at 650°C (1200°F)

Magnetic Permeability 1.008 1.008 at RT

Thermal Properties

CTE, linear 20°C 17.3 µm/m-°C 9.61 µin/in-°F from from 0-100°C

CTE, linear 250°C 17.8 µm/m-°C 9.89 µin/in-°F at 0-315°C (32-600°F)

CTE, linear 500°C 18.7 µm/m-°C 10.4 µin/in-°F at 0-650°C

Heat Capacity 0.5 J/g-°C 0.12 BTU/lb-°F from 0-100°C (32-212°F)

Thermal Conductivity 16.2 W/m-K 112 BTU-in/hr-ft²-°F at 0-100°C, 21.5 W/m°C at 500°C

Melting Point 1400 - 1455 °C 2550 - 2650 °F

Solidus 1400 °C 2550 °F

Liquidus 1455 °C 2650 °F

References are available for this material.

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