304/304L Stainless Steel Sheet

304/304L stainless steel sheet is one of the most common and widely used stainless steel products. Kloeckner Metals is proud to stock it nationwide across our network of 40+ branches.

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Typical Standards

Grade Sizes routinely stocked
Thickness WidthLength
304 inquire for sizes
304Linquire for sizes

General Info About 304/304L

304/304L stainless steel sheet is one of the most versatile and widely used stainless products. Its low carbon content and high chromium composition leads to good strength, excellent corrosion resistance, and good ease of formability.

More Details About 304/304L

  • Advantages/Disadvantages

    This stainless steel grade shows good ductility in the annealed condition, and can be readily drawn and formed. Hardness and strength can be improved through cold working. 304/304L demonstrates excellent corrosion resistance. One disadvantage of 304 is that it is non-hardenable by heat treatment.

  • Industries

    304 stainless steel sheet is most commonly used in the food and dairy, textile, chemical processing, petroleum, pharmaceutical, and architecture industries for a range of applications.

  • Applications

    Kitchen equipment, chemical processing equipment, and architectural trim are some common applications for this grade.

  • Machining

    It is machinable.

  • Welding

    304 is weldable with common fusion and resistance methods. It is recommended that 304L be selected over 304 where weld quality is a major factor.

  • Heat Treatment

    It is not heat treatable.

Chemical Properties

CMnPSSiCrNiN
3040.08% max2%0.045%0.03% max0.75% max18 - 20%8 - 12%0.1% max
304L0.03% max2%0.045%0.03% max0.75% max18 - 20%8 - 12%0.1% max

Mechanical Properties

Mechanical Properties
MetricImperial
Tensile Strength, Ultimate655 MPa95 ksi
Tensile Strength, Yield290 MPa42 ksi
Elongation at Break (in 2")55%55%
Rockwell HardnessB84B84

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is the melting range of this grade stainless?

    ANSWER:

    The melting range is 2,550 – 2,650°F (1,399 – 1,454°C).

  • What are the main alloying elements for 304 stainless steel sheet?

    ANSWER:

    304 has a high chromium content (between 18% and 20%) as well a a nickel content between 8% and 12%. Additionally, the ultra low carbon variant of 304 has just slightly less carbon (.03% vs .08%).

  • What is the fatigue strength of this grade stainless steel when cold drawn?

    ANSWER:

    The fatigue strength for 304 stainless that has been cold drawn is 482 MPa (70 ksi).

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