Grade 304 is ordinary “18/8” stainless steel. Despite a wide range of alternatives, it is the most versatile and widely used stainless steel available, and it has excellent forming and welding characteristics. Grade 304’s balanced austenitic structure allows it to be severely deep drawn without intermediate annealing. This means that this steel is commonly used in the production of drawn stainless parts such as sinks, hollowware, and saucepans. Special “304DDQ” (Deep Drawing Quality) variants are commonly used for these applications. Grade 304 can be easily braked or roll-formed into a variety of components for industrial, architectural, and transportation applications. It also has excellent welding properties. When welding thin sections, no post-weld annealing is required.
How Is It Made?
T 300 Series Stainless Steel austenitic type 304 stainless steel. It contains at least 18% chromium and 8% nickel, with a maximum of 0.08% carbon. It is classified as an austenitic alloy of chromium and nickel. The low-carbon version of 304 is grade 304L. Because it does not require post-weld annealing, it is widely used in heavy gauge components (over about 6mm). Grade 304H, with its higher carbon content, is used at high temperatures.
Properties Of Stainless Steel 304 Grade
Chemical composition of stainless steel 304
One of the most important properties of stainless steel 304 grade is its chemical composition. This alloy contains 18-20% chromium and 8-10.5% nickel, which gives it excellent corrosion resistance. Additionally, this alloy contains small amounts of carbon, silicon, manganese, and molybdenum, which further improve its corrosion resistance.
Physical Properties of Stainless Steel 304
Another important property of stainless steel 304 grade is its physical properties. This alloy has a density of 7.9 g/cm3 and a melting point of 1454°C. Additionally, this alloy is non-magnetic and has a good resistance to heat and wear.
Thermal Properties of Stainless Steel 304
The thermal properties of stainless steel 304 grade are also important to consider. This alloy has a good thermal conductivity and a low thermal expansion coefficient. Additionally, this alloy is resistant to scaling at high temperatures and has good oxidation resistance.
Electrical Properties of Stainless Steel 304
The electrical properties of stainless steel 304 grade are also worth considering. This alloy has a low resistivity and a high electrical conductivity. Additionally, this alloy is non-magnetic and has a low dielectric constant.
Optical Properties of Stainless Steel 304
The optical properties of stainless steel 304 grade are also important to consider. This alloy has a high reflectance and a low absorption coefficient. Additionally, this alloy is resistant to UV light and has a high index of refraction.
Mechanical Properties of Stainless Steel 304
The mechanical properties of stainless steel 304 grade are also important to consider. This alloy has good ductility, toughness, and strength. Additionally, this alloy is resistant to impact and abrasion and has good weldability
- The density of Stainless steel 304 Grade is 8.03 g/cc
- Melting point of Stainless steel 304 Grade is 1371- 1399 °C
- The tensile strength of 304 grade is 621 Mpa (=90100psi)
- The yield Strenght of steel is 290 Mpa (=42100psi)
Stainless Steel 304 Uses
- Food processing equipment, particularly in beer brewing, milk processing & winemaking
- Kitchen benches, sinks, troughs, equipment, and appliances
- Architectural paneling, railings & trim
- Chemical containers, including for transport
- Heat Exchangers
- Woven or welded screens for mining, quarrying & water filtration
- Threaded fasteners
- Springs
Pipingmart is a B2B portal that specializes in metal, industrial and piping items. Additionally, we share the latest information and information about materials, products and various types of grades to assist businesses that are involved in this business.
