304 Stainless Steel (UNS S30400) Supplier
Properties and Appearance
Stainless Steel Grade 304, also known as UNS S30400 or AISI 304, is one of the most widely used and versatile stainless-steel grades. It belongs to the austenitic family of stainless steels and offers a combination of excellent corrosion resistance, versatility, and affordability. It typically has a shiny, silvery smooth nonporous surface, which can be prepared to a brushed, satin or polished finish.
Grade 304 has excellent toughness across all temperatures and in a wide range of atmospheric conditions and when exposed to acids, alkaline and chloride-containing solutions. It maintains good corrosion resistance at elevated temperatures and has moderate strength and high ductility, which allows for easy forming and fabrication. Grade 304 stainless steel being non-porous is easy to clean, and resistant to bacterial growth, making it suitable for use in food processing equipment. Type 304L variant does not require annealing after welding. Grade 304H has higher carbon so is useful at higher temperatures.
The following datasheet provides an overview of stainless steel-grade 304.
Chemical Composition
| Element | Content(%) |
| Chromium (Cr) | 18 – 20 |
| Nickel (Ni) | 8 – 12 |
| Manganese (Mn) | 2 |
| Silicon (Si) | 0.75 |
| Nitrogen (N) | 0.0 – 0.1 |
| Carbon (C) | 0.03 – 0.1 |
| Phosphorus (P) | 0.045 |
| Sulfur (S) | 0.03 |
Physical Properties
| Properties | Metric | Imperial |
| Density | 8000 kg/cm³ | lb./in³ |
Mechanical Properties
| Properties | Metric | Imperial |
| Tensile Strength | 485-515 MPa | 70 ksi |
| Yield Strength | 170 – 205MPa | 25 ksi |
| Elastic Modulus | 193 GPa | 24500 ksi |
| Poisson’s Ratio | ||
| Elongation at Break | ||
| Hardness, Rockwell B (converted from Brinell) | 92 | |
| Hardness, Brinell | 201 |
Thermal Properties
| Properties | Metric | Imperial |
| Thermal Expansion | 17.2 – 18.4 µm/m°-C | µin/in°F |
| Thermal Conductivity (100°C – 500°C) | 16.2 – 21.5W/mK | BTU in/hr.ft².°F |
Fabrication and Heat Treatment
Machinability
Grade 304 can be machined easily.
Welding
304 stainless steel can be welded using all standard fusion methods. No filler metals are needed, but they can be used. Post-welding annealing is recommended for maximum corrosion resistance.
Heat Treatment
Solution treat to anneal. Heat to 1010-1120 °C . Cool rapidly. Grade 304 cannot be hardened by thermal treatment.
Applications
Stainless Steel Grade 304 is a popular choice in a variety of applications and industries including:
- Food processing equipment
- Kitchen appliances
- Tanks
- Pipes
- Valves
- Surgical instruments
- Medical devices
- Pharmaceutical equipment
- Exhaust systems
- Sinks
- Handrails
- Balustrades
- Decorative panels
- Structural components
Formats supplied:
Vulcan Metal Group supplies Stainless Steel Grade 304 sheet, bar, plate, strip, forgings, wire, coil, rod, welding rod, tube, pipe and extrusion formats.
Custom machined and finished parts supplied to print.
Please contact us for a quote or more on how Vulcan Metal Group can help your business.
Address
Vulcan Metal Group LLC
23888 Madison Street
Torrance, CA 90505
United States
Phone / Fax
Phone: +1 310.882.6841
Fax: +1 310.893.0579
Cage Code
8FCY8
Quality Policy: Vulcan Metal Group, LLC. supplies mission critical, special purpose materials, and products at a competitive price. The company’s quality system is registered to ISO 9001 and AS9100 and follows its principles for the governance of the business. An active continual improvement program and compliance with all applicable OSHA, federal, and state regulations is maintained.