304 Stainless Steel
304 stainless steel is the standard “18/8” stainless that you will probably see in your pans and cookery tools.

304 Stainless Steel accounts for more than 50% of all stainless steel production.
One of the most versatile and commonly used stainless steels available, Type 304 stainless steel is the most widely used alloy of this type. We stock both Type 304 and Type 304L stainless steel in Bar, Wire, Sheet, Strip and Billets.
Type 304 has excellent welding and deep drawing properties, making it ideal for fabrication, easy to clean and it’s asthetically pleasing looks make it ideal for many applications. Contact us today for the best prices.
304 Stainless Steel Properties and Specifications
The chromium content promotes the material’s considerable resistance to the effects of corrosion and oxidation. The stainless steel alloy resists most oxidizing acids and will withstand ordinary rusting though this does not mean that the steel will not tarnish over time.
- 304 stainless steel is basically the same as Type 302 except for a higher chromium and lower carbon content. Its lower carbon minimizes chromium carbide precipitation due to welding and its susceptibility to intergranular corrosion.
- Its lower carbon minimizes chromium carbide precipitation due to welding and its susceptibility to intergranular corrosion.
- In many instances, Type 304 can be used in the “as welded” condition while Type 302 must be annealed in order to retain adequate corrosion resistance.
- Type 304 has the same excellent combination of strength, corrosion resistance, and workability as Type 302, and it costs the same. Consequently, this type is widely used and is more popular than type 302.
Types 304 and 304L stainless steel are available in:
- Bar
- Wire
- Sheet
- Strip
- Billets
- Low carbon Content of 304 and 304L is more conducive to welding than type 302.
- 7Applications include architectural moldings and trim and kitchen equipment.
- 7Alloys are widely used for welded components of processing equipment for textiles.
- Type 304L is an extra low carbon variation of Type 302. The .03% maximum carbon content eliminates carbide precipitation due to welding.
- Consequently, the alloy can be used in the “as welded” condition even in severe corrosive conditions. In many cases, it eliminates the necessity of annealing weldments except for applications where stress relief is specified.
- Type 304L has slightly lower mechanical properties than Type 304.
Sheets and Plates
- MIL-S-5059
- AMS 5513
- ASTM A 167
- ASTM A 240
Bars, Wire, and Billets
- MIL-S-7720
- QQ-S-763
- AMS A 276
- ASTM A 276
- ASTM A 479
Type 304 Composition & Properties
Properties
Type 304%
Carbon
.08 max
Manganese
2.00 max
Phosphorus
.045 max
Sulfur
.030 max
Silicon
1.00 max
Chromium
18.0 – 20.0
Nickel
8.0 – 12.0
Type 304L Composition & Properties
Properties
Type 304L%
Carbon
.03 max
Manganese
2.00 max
Phosphorus
.045 max
Sulfur
.030 max
Silicon
1.00 max
Chromium
18.0 – 20.0
Nickel
8.0 – 12.0
304 Stainless Steel Properties
Properties
Sheet & Strip
Bar & Wire
Ultimate Tensile Strength, psi
85,000
85,000
.2% Yield strength, psi
35,000
35,000
Elongation, % om 2″
55
60
Rockwell Hardness
B80
B80
Reduction of area %
NA
70
Impact Strength, Izod V Notch, ft-lbs
NA
100-120
Endurance Limit, psi
NA
34,000
304L Stainless Steel
Properties
Sheet & Strip
Bar & Wire
Ultimate Tensile Strength, psi
80,000
80,000
.2% Yield strength, psi
30,000
30,000
Elongation, % om 2″
55
60
Rockwell Hardness
N75
B75
Reduction of area %
NA
70
Impact Strength, Izod V Notch, ft-lbs
NA
100-120
Endurance Limit, psi
NA
34,000