Stainless Steel 304, is a widely used and versatile grade of stainless steel. It falls under the austenitic stainless steel category, which is characterized by its high corrosion resistance, excellent formability, and relatively good mechanical properties.
Stainless Steel 304 is one of the most common and widely used stainless steel alloys due to its combination of properties and broad applicability.
Stainless Steel 304 offers excellent corrosion resistance in a wide range of environments, including atmospheric, freshwater, and many mild acids and alkaline solutions. However, it has limited resistance to strong acids and chlorides at elevated temperatures.
While not as strong as some other stainless steel grades like 316, Stainless Steel 304 still offers good tensile and yield strength.
Available tube product forms
Typical Applications
Typical manufacturing specifications
- ASTM A240/A240M
- ASTM A276/A276M
- ASTM A312/A312M
Industries predominantly using this grade
Technical Data
Mechanical Properties
| Tensile Strength |
515 MPa (75,000 psi) |
| Yield Strength (0.2% Offset) |
205 MPa (30,000 psi) |
| Elongation |
40% (in 50 mm) |
| Hardness (Brinell) |
201 HB max |
Can be welded using various methods, including TIG, MIG, and resistance welding.
Physical Properties
| Density |
7.93 g/cm³ (0.286 lb/in³) |
Melting Point
|
1400 - 1450°C (2552 - 2642°F) |
| Electrical Conductivity |
1.45 x 10^6 S/m |
| Thermal Resistivity |
16.2 W/m·K (9.41 BTU·in/hr·ft²·°F) |
| Specific Heat Capacity |
0.50 J/g·°C (0.12 BTU/lb·°F) |
Chemical Composition (% by weight)
|
Element |
Min |
Max |
|
Cr |
18 |
20 |
|
Ni |
8 |
10.5 |
| C |
- |
0.08 |
|
Mn |
-
|
2 |
|
Si |
-
|
0.75 |
|
P |
- |
0.045 |
|
S |
- |
0.03 |