304 Stainless Steel

• 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