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Grade 304 Stainless Steel:

Properties, Fabrication
and Applications
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Sponsored by Aalco - Ferrous and Non-Ferrous Metals

Stockist
May 18 2005

Stainless steel types 1.4301 and 1.4307 are also

known as grades 304 and 304L respectively.
Type 304 is the most versatile and widely used
stainless steel.

Stainless Steel Grades Explained

It is still sometimes referred to by its old name 18/8

which is derived from the nominal composition of
type 304 being 18% chromium and 8% nickel.

304 Stainless Steel

Stainless steel 304 is an austenitic grade that can be
severely deep drawn. This property has resulted in
304 being the dominant grade used in applications
like sinks and saucepans.

304L Stainless Steel

Type 304L is the low carbon version of Stainless
steel 304. It is used in heavy gauge components for
improved weldability. Some products such as plate
and pipe may be available as “dual certi!ed”
material that meets the criteria for both 304 and
304L.

304H Stainless Steel

304H, a high carbon content variant, is also
available for use at high temperatures.

Property data given in this document is typical for

bar products covered by EN 10269:2013. ASTM, EN
or other standards may cover products sold. It is
reasonable to expect speci!cations in these
standards to be similar but not necessarily identical
to those given in this datasheet.

Chemical Composition of
Stainless Steel 304
Table 1. Chemical composition for 304 stainless
steel alloys

% 304 304L 304H

C 0.0 - 0.07 0.0 - 0.03 0.04 - 0.08

Mn 0.0 - 2.0 0.0 - 2.00 0.0 - 2.0

Si 0.0 - 1.00 0.0 - 1.00 0.0 - 1.0

P 0.0 - 0.05 0.0 - 0.05 0.0 - 0.04

S 0.0 - 0.03 0.0 - 0.02 0.0 - 0.02

Cr 17.50 - 19.50 17.50 - 19.50 17.00 - 19.00

Ni 8.00 - 10.50 8.00 - 10.50 8.00 - 11.00

Fe Balance Balance Balance

N 0.0-0.11 0.0-0.11 0.0 - 0.10

Properties of Stainless Steel

304

Mechanical Properties of
Stainless Steel 304
Table 2a. Mechanical properties for 304 stainless
steel alloys - sheet up to 8 mm thick

Grade 304

Tensile Strength (MPa) 540 - 750 52

Proof Stress (MPa) 230 Min 22

Elongation A50 mm 45 Min % 45

Table 2b. Mechanical properties for 304 stainless

steel alloys - plate from 8 - 75 mm thick

Grade 304

Tensile Strength (MPa) 520 - 720 50

Proof Stress (MPa) 210 Min 2

Elongation A5 45 Min % 45

Table 2c. Mechanical properties for 304 stainless

steel alloys - bar and section up to 160 mm
diameter / thickness

Grade 304

Tensile Strength (MPa) 500 - 700 50

Proof Stress (MPa) 190 1

Elongation A50 mm 45 Min % 45

Hardness Brinell 215 Max HB 215

Physical Properties of Stainless

Steel 304
Table 3. Physical properties for 304 stainless steel
alloys

Property Value

Density 8.00 g/cm3

Melting Point 1450 °C

Modulus of Elasticity 193 GPa

Electrical Resistivity 0.72 x 10-6 Ω.m

Thermal Conductivity 16.2 W/m.K

Thermal Expansion 17.2 x 10-6/K

Alloy Designations
Stainless steel 304 also corresponds to the
following standard designations and speci!cations:

Euronorm UNS BS En Grade

304S15

1.4301 S30400 304S16 58E 304

304S31

1.4306 S30403 304S11 - 304L

1.4307 - 304S11 - 304L

1.4311 - 304S11 - 304L

1.4948 S30409 304S51 - 304H

Related Stories
Stainless Steel Tube Fittings
Treadplate in Aluminum and Stainless Steel
Stainless Steel as a Structural Material

Corrosion Resistance of
Stainless Steel 304
Stainless steel 304 has excellent corrosion
resistance in a wide variety of environments and
when in contact with di#erent corrosive media.
Pitting and crevice corrosion can occur in
environments containing chlorides. Stress corrosion
cracking can occur at temperatures over 60°C.

Heat Resistance of Stainless

Steel 304
Stainless steel 304 has good resistance to oxidation
in intermittent service up to 870°C and in
continuous service to 925°C. However, continuous
use at 425-860°C is not recommended if corrosion
resistance in water is required. In this instance 304L
is recommended due to its resistance to carbide
precipitation.

Where high strength is required at temperatures

above 500°C and up to 800°C, grade 304H is
recommended. This material will retain aqueous
corrosion resistance.

Fabrication of Stainless Steel

304
Fabrication of all stainless steels should be done
only with tools dedicated to stainless steel
materials. Tooling and work surfaces must be
thoroughly cleaned before use. These precautions
are necessary to avoid cross contamination of
stainless steel by easily corroded metals that may
discolour the surface of the fabricated product.

Cold Working of Stainless Steel

304
Stainless steel 304 readily work hardens.
Fabrication methods involving cold working may
require an intermediate annealing stage to alleviate
work hardening and avoid tearing or cracking. At
the completion of fabrication a full annealing
operation should be employed to reduce internal
stresses and optimise corrosion resistance.

Hot Working of Stainless Steel

304
Fabrication methods, like forging, that involve hot
working should occur after uniform heating to
1149-1260°C. The fabricated components should
then be rapidly cooled to ensure maximum
corrosion resistance.

Heat Treatment of Stainless

Steel 304
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.

Machinability
Stainless steel 304 has good machinability.
Machining can be enhanced by using the following
rules:

Cutting edges must be kept sharp. Dull edges

cause excess work hardening.
Cuts should be light but deep enough to
prevent work hardening by riding on the
surface of the material.
Chip breakers should be employed to assist in
ensuring swarf remains clear of the work
Low thermal conductivity of austenitic alloys
results in heat concentrating at the cutting
edges. This means coolants and lubricants are
necessary and must be used in large
quantities.

Welding of Stainless Steel 304

Fusion welding performance for Stainless steel 304
is excellent both with and without !llers.
Recommended !ller rods and electrodes for
stainless steel 304 is grade 308 stainless steel. For
304L the recommended !ller 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.

Applications of Stainless Steel

304
Stainless steel 304 is typically used in:

Sinks and splashbacks

Saucepans
Cutlery and $atware
Architectural panelling
Sanitaryware and troughs
Tubing
Brewery, dairy, food and pharmaceutical
production equipment
Springs, nuts, bolts and screws

Supplied Forms
Stainless steel 304 is typically supplied by Aalco in a
range of !nishes in the following forms:

Sheet
Strip
Tube
Quarto plate
Bar
Fittings & Flanges
Pipe
Plate

DISCLAIMER

This Data is indicative only and must not be seen as

a substitute for the full speci!cation from which it is
drawn. In particular, the mechanical property
requirements vary widely with temper, product and
product dimensions. The information is based on
our present knowledge and is given in good faith.
However, no liability will be accepted by the
Company is respect of any action taken by any third
party in reliance thereon.

As the products detailed may be used for a wide

variety of purposes and as the Company has no
control over their use; the Company speci!cally
excludes all conditions or warranties expressed or
implied by statute or otherwise as to dimensions,
properties and/or !tness for any particular
purpose.

Any advice given by the Company to any third party

is given for that party’s assistance only and without
liability on the part of the Company. Any contract
between the Company and a customer will be
subject to the company’s Conditions of Sale. The
extent of the Company’s liabilities to any customer
is clearly set out in those Conditions; a copy of
which is available on request.

This information has been sourced, reviewed and

adapted from materials provided by Aalco - Ferrous
and Non-Ferrous Metals Stockist.

For more information on this source, please visit

Aalco - Ferrous and Non-Ferrous Metals Stockist.

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Citations 

Comments

Ankit Khare says:

October 3, 2013 at 2:24 PM
Which material is batter between AISI 304, AISI
1020, AISI 202?

Reply 0 0

Ray Drury says:

April 11, 2017 at 11:07 AM
Can you please tell me how to soften stainless
steel as I wish to make and use as rivets.

Reply 0 0

niketan Manthani says:

March 9, 2019 at 1:21 AM
how to increase hardness of 304L grade upto
140 BHN min.? Solution treatmwnt is done at 1120.

Reply 0 0

Seyyed saber mir says:

October 10, 2019 at 4:17 AM
how to tint etch 304 St.St? can tint etch it in
room temp and without polarization light?

Reply 0 0

ken frigo says:

December 3, 2022 at 9:24 AM
Greetings,
Could you tell me chat weight in lbs. would an 18"x 18"
sq. 304 ss plate hold?
thank you,
ken

Reply 0 0

The opinions expressed here are the views of the writer

and do not necessarily re$ect the views and opinions of
AZoM.com.

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