304/304L stainless steel plate is one of the most popular stainless grades and Kloeckner Metals is proud to stock it nationwide across our network of 40+ branches.
| Grade | Sizes routinely stocked | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Thickness | Width | Length | |
| 304 | inquire for sizes | ||
| 304L | inquire for sizes |
304/304L stainless steel plate is one of the most versatile and widely used stainless grades. Due to its lower carbon content and higher chromium composition, this grade is among the best in its class for strength, corrosion resistance, and formability. It is frequently utilized in pharmaceutical and chemical processing equipment, kitchen equipment. In applications where corrosion resistance and welding are required, the ultra low variant 304L is better suited.
This stainless steel grade is among the most common stainless steel grades, in part because it is so versatile and easy to fabricate. It shows good ductility in the annealed condition, and can be readily drawn and formed for complex shapes. High hardness and strength can be achieved through cold working. This grade demonstrates excellent corrosion resistance and will withstand rural and industrial atmospheric exposure, and weldments are less susceptible to intergranular fractures. One disadvantage is that 304 is non-hardenable by heat treatment.
This steel grade is used in the food service, textile, chemical processing, petroleum, pharmaceutical, and architecture industries.
304 stainless is often seen in kitchen equipment, chemical processing equipment, and architectural trim. 304L provides outstanding corrosion resistance and produces better weldments.
It is machinable.
It is weldable. However, austenitic stainless steels tend to be at greater risk for cracking at weld joints and sensitization on mechanical properties. Welding with common fusion and resistance methods are recommended for best results, or choosing 304L over 304 when welding is necessary.
It is not heat treatable.
This stainless steel grade is among the most common stainless steel grades, in part because it is so versatile and easy to fabricate. It shows good ductility in the annealed condition, and can be readily drawn and formed for complex shapes. High hardness and strength can be achieved through cold working. This grade demonstrates excellent corrosion resistance and will withstand rural and industrial atmospheric exposure, and weldments are less susceptible to intergranular fractures. One disadvantage is that 304 is non-hardenable by heat treatment.
This steel grade is used in the food service, textile, chemical processing, petroleum, pharmaceutical, and architecture industries.
304 stainless is often seen in kitchen equipment, chemical processing equipment, and architectural trim. 304L provides outstanding corrosion resistance and produces better weldments.
It is machinable.
It is weldable. However, austenitic stainless steels tend to be at greater risk for cracking at weld joints and sensitization on mechanical properties. Welding with common fusion and resistance methods are recommended for best results, or choosing 304L over 304 when welding is necessary.
It is not heat treatable.
| C | Mn | P | S | Si | Cr | Ni | N | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 304 | 0.08% max | 2% | 0.045% | 0.03% max | 0.75% max | 18 - 20% | 8 - 12% | 0.1% max |
| 304L | 0.03% max | 2% | 0.045% | 0.03% max | 0.75% max | 18 - 20% | 8 - 12% | 0.1% max |
| Mechanical Properties | ||
|---|---|---|
| Metric | Imperial | |
| Tensile Strength, Ultimate | 655 MPa | 95 ksi |
| Tensile Strength, Yield | 290 MPa | 42 ksi |
| Elongation at Break (in 2") | 55% | 55% |
| Rockwell Hardness | B84 | B84 |
ANSWER:
304L is the ultra low carbon variant of 304 stainless. Lower carbon content is the only chemical difference between these two grades, leading 304L to perform better in corrosive environments and be easier to weld.
ANSWER:
The lower carbon content in 304L eliminates chromium carbide precipitation caused during welding, putting 304L at lower risk for intergranular corrosion even in highly corrosive environments.
ANSWER:
The fatigue strength for 304 stainless is 241 MPa (35 ksi).
ANSWER:
304L is the ultra low carbon variant of 304 stainless. Lower carbon content is the only chemical difference between these two grades, leading 304L to perform better in corrosive environments and be easier to weld.
ANSWER:
The lower carbon content in 304L eliminates chromium carbide precipitation caused during welding, putting 304L at lower risk for intergranular corrosion even in highly corrosive environments.
ANSWER:
The fatigue strength for 304 stainless is 241 MPa (35 ksi).
Kloeckner’s metal roofing manufacturing showcases the flexibility,...
Chromium Stainless Steel plays a unique role in metallurgy. Stainless steels are first and...
When you think of chromium, you probably think of chromium plating, a.k.a. chrome. It...
Annealing is a specific process of heat treatment that alters the properties of metal....
To calculate the weight of a steel plate, you need to answer a few...
When looking at 304 stainless steel vs 316, it is hard to notice the...
Stainless steel and aluminum are two of the most popular metals used for manufacturing....
X
The Kloeckner Metals website uses modern technologies. Unfortunately, your browser doesn't support those technologies.
Download the latest version of one of these browsers to experience the site:
