TECHNICAL DATA SHEET

AISI 304 AISI 304L

Stainless Steel Structural Shapes: 304 and 304L Austenitic (Chromium-Nickel)

INTRODUCTION
There are many grades of austenitic stainless steels, the most popular of which are 304 and 304L. Those
two account for about half of the total stainless steel production in the United States. Those are the two
grades we will address on this data sheet. Other grades include 316 316L, 317, 317L, 321, 347. Stainless
Structurals can manufacture shapes in almost any of the austenitic grades, plus nickel, duplex and exotic
alloys. If you need a particular grade, ask your sales representative.

Stainless Structurals shapes are stripped from plate with lasers, laser fused together, straightened,
ground, de-twisted and passivated. They are produced to ASTM-A-1069, which also includes a number of
other specifications.

Austenitic (18-8) stainless steel alloys possess significant beneficial properties. They are strong, light,
ductile, aesthetically pleasing and readily available in a variety of forms. They resist corrosion and
oxidation; fabricate and clean easily; and prevent contamination of products. They have also exhibited
good strength and toughness when exposed to cryogenic conditions.

Stainless Structurals offers two variations of the 18-8 stainless steels:

AISI 304 (S30400)

AISI 304L (S30403)

Of the two types, 304 is the most widely used alloy, followed by 304L. 304L is typically used for welded
applications that must resist intergranular corrosion. The essential difference is in the carbon content,
which is required to be lower in 304L than 304. These two grades are frequently supplied dual certified as
304/304L. This means that the carbon content, which is expressed as a maximum in both grades, is in
compliance with the maximum carbon content called for by each specification. In addition the dual
certified material meets the minimum mechanical properties, which are required to be higher in 304.
Therefore, the dual certification means the material is in full compliance with both specifications, providing
the higher minimum strength requirements for one grade along with the better intergranular corrosion
resistance of the other.

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AISI 304 AISI 304L

Some popular applications of these two grades are in food processing, appliances and dairy. Standards
and specifications have been developed to guide the manufacture, construction and use of these grades.
The guidelines are listed herewith.

SPECIFICATIONS AND CERTIFICATIONS

The following table provides the list of US specifications for the two popular grades.

Table 1: ASTM and ASME Specifications

Specification
Product Form
ASTM ASME
Plate, Sheet and
A 240 SA-240
Strip
Laser Fused
A1069
Structural Shapes

The specifications stipulate allowable stresses for the various product forms of the alloys. Within the
ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code (Section II, Part D), the allowable stresses are given for 304 for
use up to a maximum temperature of 1500F (816C); and 304L up to 800F (426C).

In addition to ASTM and ASME, the National Sanitation Foundation accepts all alloy variations for food
preparation and storage; and the Dairy and Food Industries Supply Association (Sanitary Standards
Committee) approves all variations for contact with dairy products.

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 TECHNICAL DATA SHEET
AISI 304 AISI 304L

PROPERTIES
This section outlines the chemical composition, physical and mechanical properties of 304 amd 304L.

1.0 Chemical Composition

ASTM A240 provides the typical chemical compositions for the 18-8 stainless steel variations. Refer to
Table 2 below.
Table 2: Typical Chemical Compositions
1
Periodic Percentage (%) Weight
Element 304 304L
17.5 17.5
Chromium
19.5 19.5
8.0 8.0
Nickel
10.5 12.0
Manganese 2.00 2.00
Silicon 0.75 0.75
Carbon 0.07 0.030
Nitrogen 0.10 0.10
Phosphorus 0.045 0.045
Sulfur 0.030 0.030
1
Maximum value, unless range is specified

2.0 Physical Properties

The physical properties of austenitic stainless steel alloys are given below.

2.1 General
The following are accepted general physical properties of austenitic stainless steel alloys:
3 3
Density - 0.285 lb/in (7.90 g/cm )
Melting Range - 2550 - 2590F (1399 - 1421C)
Modulus of Elasticity - 29 Mpsi (200 GPa)
(in Tension)

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 TECHNICAL DATA SHEET
AISI 304 AISI 304L

2.2 Thermal
The following are accepted thermal properties of the alloys:
Specific Heat:

F C Btu/lb/F J/kg.K
32 - 212 0 - 100 0.12 500

Linear Coefficient of Thermal Expansion:

Temperature Range Coefficients

F C in/in/F cm/cm/C
-6 -6
68 - 212 20 - 100 9.2 x 10 16.6 x 10
-6 -6
68 - 212 20 - 100 11.0 x 10 19.8 x 10

Thermal Conductivity

Temperature Range
Btu/hr.ft.F W/m.K
F C
212 100 9.4 16.3
932 500 12.4 21.4

Although other metals exhibit higher thermal conductivities, the stainless steel alloys are able to more
efficiently transfer heat through the maintenance of smooth, clean surfaces.

2.3 Electrical
Electrical resistivity properties include:

Temperature Range
Microhm-in Microhm-cm
F C
68 20 28.3 72
212 100 30.7 78
392 200 33.8 86
752 400 39.4 100
1112 600 43.7 111
1472 800 47.6 121
1652 900 49.6 126

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 TECHNICAL DATA SHEET
AISI 304 AISI 304L

2.4 Magnetic
Austenitic stainless steel alloys are not typically magnetic in the annealed condition (magnetic
permeability <1.02 at 200H). While cold work will increase the magnetic permeability, Stainless
Structurals shapes are manufactured from annealed material.

Percent Cold Magnetic Permeability

Work 304 304L
0 1.005 1.015
10 1.009 1.064

3.0 Mechanical Properties

The mechanical properties of austenitic stainless steel alloys are as noted below.

3.1 At Room Temperature

ASTM A240 and ASME SA-240 require the following minimum properties for plate, sheet and strip forms
of the annealed alloy variations. A1069 laser fused structurals are in compliance.
Table 3: Minimum Mechanical Properties
1
Minimum Mechanical Properties
Property
304 304L
0.2% Offset Yield Strength:
psi 30,000 25,000
MPa 205 170
Ultimate Tensile Strength:
psi 75,000 70,000
MPa 515 485
Percent Elongation in
40.0 40.0
2 in. or 51 mm
Hardness, Max.:
Brinell 201 201
RB 92 92
1
In accordance with ASTM A240 and ASME SA-240

3.2 Cold Work

As the alloys are cold worked (deformed) at room temperature or thereabout, partial transformation of
austenite (in the alloys) to martensite can occur. As this happens, the alloys tend to increase in yield and

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 TECHNICAL DATA SHEET
AISI 304 AISI 304L

ultimate strength while decreasing in elongation. Austenitic stainless structural shapes are not supplied in
the cold worked condition. .

3.3 Properties at Low and Elevated Temperatures

The effects of low and elevated temperatures on short-term tensile properties are displayed below. Creep
and stress ruptures should be considered at temperatures equivalent to or higher than 100F (538C).
Typical information is as follows.
Table 4: Tensile Properties at Varying Temperatures

Test Temperature 0.2%Yield Strength Tensile Strength Elongation

Percent in 2" or
F C psi (MPa) psi (MPa)
51 mm

-423 -253 100,000 690 250,000 1725 25

-320 -196 70 000 485 230 000 1585 35

-100 -79 50 000 345 150 000 1035 50

70 21 35 000 240 90 000 620 60

400 205 23 000 160 70 000 485 50

800 427 19 000 130 66 000 455 43

1200 650 15 500 105 48 000 330 34

1500 815 13 000 90 23 000 160 46

3.4 Impact Resistance

Stainless steel, in the annealed condition, shows very high resistance to impact even at cryogenic levels.
This makes it a candidate for applications such as earthquake resistance, LNG facilities and cryogenics.
Typical results from Charpy V-notch impact tests are provided as follows:

Charpy V-Notch Energy

Temperature
Absorbed
F C Foot-pounds Joules
75 23 150 200
-320 -196 85 115
-425 -234 85 115

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 TECHNICAL DATA SHEET
AISI 304 AISI 304L

3.5 Fatigue Strength

The fatigue strength, or endurance limit, represents the maximum amount of stress below which the
material is unlikely to fail after 10 million cycles in the air environment. For the austenitic stainless steels,
this figure is typically 35% of the tensile strength. A number of factors affect fatigue strength. A smooth
surface will provide greater strength than a rough or corroded surface. Fatigue strength is dependent on
many factors, so the quoted value can vary significantly.

4.0 Corrosion Resistance

4.1 General Corrosion
All variations of the austenitic stainless steel alloys show desirable resistance to corrosion within
moderately oxidizing and reducing environments. This resistance is due to the high chromium content in
these alloys, in which a microscopic layer of chromium oxide seals the surface.

As a consequence, the applicability of the alloys range from food processing equipment and utensils in
food, beverage and dairy industries, to heat exchangers, piping, tanks and other process equipment for
human consumables. The alloys are used to contain household and industrial chemicals; and are used in
non-marine environments as architectural and structural materials such as handrails and building
facades.

Examples of 304/304L resistance to oxidizing (acidic) environments is given below

Temperature Corrosion Rate
% Nitric Acid
F (C) Mils/Yr (mm/a)
10 300 (149) 5.0 (0.13)
20 300 (149) 10.1 (0.25)
30 300 (149) 17.0 (0.43)

Other laboratory data for 304 and 304L in the table below illustrate that these alloys are also resistant to
moderately aggressive organic acids such as acetic, citric and even reducing acids such as phosphoric.
The relatively high nickel content of these alloys helps provide resistance to moderately reducing
environments. The more highly reducing environments such as boiling dilute hydrochloric and sulfuric
acids are too aggressive for these materials. Other grades such as 316/316L should be considered.
Boiling 50 percent caustic is likewise too aggressive for 304/304L. Consult your sales representative if
you need assistance.

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 TECHNICAL DATA SHEET
AISI 304 AISI 304L

General Corrosion in Boiling Chemicals

Boiling Corrosion Rate, Mils/Yr (mm/a)

Environment 304 304L
20% Acetic Acid: Base Metal 0.1 (<0.01) 0.1 (<0.01)
Welded* 1.0 (0.03) 0.1 (<0.01)
45% Formic Acid, Base Metal 55 (1.4) 15 (0.4)
Welded* 52 (1.3) 19 (0.5)
10% Sulfamic Acid, Base Metal 144 (3.7) 50 (1.3)
Welded* 144 (3.7) 57 (1.4)
1% Hydrochloric, Base Metal 98 (2.5) 85 (2.2)
Welded 112 (2.8) 143 (3.6)
20% Phosphoric Acid, Base Metal <1.0 (<0.03) -- --
Welded <1.0 (0.03) -- --
65% Nitric Acid, Base Metal 9.2 (0.2) 8.9 (0.2)
Welded 9.4 (0.2) 7.4 (0.2)
10% Sulfuric Acid, Base Metal 445 (11.3) 662 (16.8)
Welded 494 (12.5) 879 (22.3)
50% Sodium Hydroxide, Base Metal 118 (3.0) 71 (1.8)
Welded 130 (3.3) 87 (2.2)
*Autogenous weld on base metal sample.

In some cases, the low carbon 304L may show a lower corrosion rate than the higher carbon 304, as
shown by the data for formic acid, sulfamic acid and sodium hydroxides. Otherwise, the 304 and 304L
may be considered to perform equally in most corrosive environments. A notable exception is in
environments sufficiently corrosive to cause intergranular corrosion of welds and heat-affected zones on
susceptible alloys. 304L is preferred for use in such media in the welded condition since the low carbon
level resists carbide precipitation in the heat affected zone, and thereby enhances resistance to
intergranular corrosion.

4.2 Intergranular Corrosion

At high temperatures (800F - 1500F or 427C to 816C) during service conditions, these stainless steel
alloys may experience chromium carbide precipitation in the grain boundaries. This is typically referred to
sensitization and, when exposed to very harsh, aggressive conditions, the steel alloys may undergo
intergranular corrosion. It is the carbon content in 304 that causes sensitization under thermal processes;
as is the case for autogenous welds and heat-affected weld zones. Lower carbon content prolongs, but
does not eliminate, the likelihood for precipitation of harmful level of chromium carbides.

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AISI 304 AISI 304L

Consequently, 304L with its lower carbon content is better suited for situations where the alloy is
commissioned in the as-welded condition. Dual certified 304/304L will have the same maximum carbon
limits as 304L, and is therefore allowable. Refer to the evidence provided below.

Intergranular Corrosion Tests

ASTM A 262 Evaluation Corrosion Rate, Mils/Yr (mm/a)

Test 304 304L
Practice B Base Metal 20 (0.5) Intergranular 20 (0.5)
Welded 23 (0.6) Corrosion 20 (0.5)
No Fissures on Bend Some
Practice E Base Metal No Fissures
Fissures on Weld
Welded No Fissures
(unacceptable)
PracticeA Base Metal Step Structure Ditched Step Structure
Welded (unacceptable) Step Structure

4.3 Stress Corrosion Cracking (SCC)

The likelihood of stress corrosion cracking in the presence of halide ions is highest in 304 and 304L
alloys. This is due of their lower nickel content. Other conditions required for SCC include residual tensile
stress in the alloys and temperatures exceeding 120F (49C).

Residual stresses may occur from cold deformation during forming and thermal cycles during welding.
The stresses may be reduced via annealing or stress-relieving heat treatments following cold
deformation, although this is impractical for most shapes.

Refer to the table below for the behavior of the alloys during halide (chloride) stress corrosion testing.
Note that, although times are specified, failure is inevitable under these conditions.

Halide (Chloride) Stress Corrosion Tests

U-Bend (Highly Stressed) Samples
Test
304, 304L
42% Magnesium Base Metal Cracked, 1 to 20 hours
Chloride, Boiling Welded Cracked, to 21 hours
33% Lithium Base Metal Cracked, 24 to 96 hours
Chloride, Boiling Welded Cracked, 18 to 90 hours
26% Sodium Base Metal Cracked, 142 to 1004 hours
Chloride, Boiling Welded Cracked, 300 to 500 hours
40% Calcium Base Metal Cracked, 144 Hours

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 TECHNICAL DATA SHEET
AISI 304 AISI 304L

Halide (Chloride) Stress Corrosion Tests

U-Bend (Highly Stressed) Samples
Test
304, 304L
Chloride, Boiling --

Ambient Temperature Base Metal No Cracking

Seacoast Exposure Welded No Cracking

4.4 Pitting/ Crevice Corrosion

Although SCC occurs in concentrated halide conditions, the alloys are suitable for fresh water and low
halide applications. 304 has been successfully used in surface condensers for cooling water with
concentrations of 1000 ppm chloride in power plants. Careful maintenance, cleaning and constant flow
were necessary.

Therefore, the halide concentration limit is typically taken as 100 ppm chloride; especially when crevices
may be present in the alloys. Evidence for this stems from 304 and 304L alloys showing no signs of
rusting or staining after the 100 hour, 5 percent neutral salt spray tests (ASTM B117). However, 304
stainless building facades, when exposed to sea blast or salt mists, exhibit pitting, crevice corrosion and
discoloration. So, at concentrations higher than 100ppm, crevice corrosion and pitting may occur; which is
why these alloys are not suitable for marine environments. Alloys containing molybdenum, e.g.,
316/316L, 317/317L, AL-6XN or 254SMOare better suited for high chloride, acidic or heated
environments. . Stainless Structurals can provide all these grades, and more.

5.0 Weldability
Of all the high-alloy steels, the austenitic stainless steel alloys have been found to be the most weldable;
and all fusion and resistance welding processes may be used. However, care during welding must be
shown to prevent cracking and preserve the corrosion resistant properties of the alloys.

During welding, temperature gradients occur in the alloys. The temperatures range from the melting
temperature in the molten pool to the ambient temperature in the extremities. Higher carbon content in
the alloys means there is a greater chance that the welding thermal cycles will cause chromium carbide
precipitation. And this will reduce the corrosion resistant properties. To counteract precipitation, 304 or
304/304L dual should be used for applications in the welded condition. Conversely, full annealing can be
done to remove the precipitant and improve the corrosion resistance. In most cases, however, full
annealing is not practical for a structural shape or construct. Laser fused stainless structurals are not
generally susceptible to the temperature gradient problems as noted above. That is because the fusion is

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very quick, the heat affected zone is much smaller than a conventional weld, and the joint cools much
more quickly.

304 and 304L grades will typically re-solidify with a small amount of post-weld ferrite. This is to minimize
the cracking susceptibility that austenitic steels show during welding.

308 (20% Cr-11% Ni) alloy is the preferred filler metal for welding 304/304L as it does not produce
martensite following multi-pass welds. And, to decrease to the tendency for hot cracking, the welding
environment is controlled in order to ensure the formation of a small amount of ferrite. 309 alloy (23%
chromium, 13.5% nickel) or nickel based filler metals are recommended in joining the austenitic alloys to
carbon steel. No filler metal is used in the production of A1069 laser fused structurals. The joints are
autogenous.

6.0 Heat Treatment

Heat treating these alloys may be performed in order to remove the negative effects of cold forming
and/or to remove precipitated chromium carbides from their surfaces. To get both results, the alloys are
annealed, which occurs in the range of 1850F (1010C) to 2050F (1121C). To prevent the chromium
carbides from re-precipitating, cooling from these temperatures must be accomplished at high rates
through 1500-800F (816C 427C). As previously mentioned, heat treating is not practical for most
structural shapes due to their configuration and due also to their propensity for warping.

304 and 304L, like other austenitic grades, are not hardenable by heat treatment.

7.0 Cleaning
Special care must be undertaken when these stainless steel alloys are fabricated. Likewise, routine
maintenance must be conducted while in use to ensure the alloys remain aesthetically pleasing and
corrosion resistant.

Fabrication:
During fabrication, the following cleaning habits should be employed:
Use inert gas processes in welding.
Use only stainless steel wire brushes to remove scale and slag, as carbon steel brushes can lead
to rusting of the surface.
Use passivating (descaling) solutions (e.g. mixture of nitric and hydrofluoric acids) for more
severe scale build-up during welding. The solutions should be quickly washed off after
application. This removes free iron from the surface, which could lead to surface corrosion.

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Use:
Pressure washing is recommended for normal maintenance on inland, light industrial and mild
applications.
More frequent washing should be used for heavy industrial application to prevent deposits that
could lead to corrosion and dullness.
Use non-abrasive cleaners, fiber brushes, sponge, or stainless steel wool to scrub off spots and
other deposits. If the material is polished, or if the appearance is important, limit the force used
with the stainless steel wool as it can leave permanent scratches on the stainless steel.
Clean and sterilize surfaces accordingly for critical applications. Use specially designed caustic
soda, organic solvent or mild acid solutions for additional cleaning in areas such as food
processing or pharmaceutical manufacturing. All such solutions must be washed off quickly.

Note that the products designs can impact on cleaning of the stainless steel alloys. Having equipment
free from sharp corners, crevices and rough welds can make cleaning. Polishing the surface of the
product also has a similar impact on cleanliness.

8.0 Surface Finishes

Surface finishes for stainless steel structural shapes are noted below.

#1 Finish hot rolled, annealed, and de-scaled surface. This is the standard;
available in plate and sheet and all structural applications
used in applications where smooth, bright finishes are not mandatory.
Polished finishes on structurals are available but may be costly Consult your Stainless Structurals
sales person for the most economical solution for your end use.

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