304/304L Stainless Steel Tube

304/304L stainless steel tube is popular across a wide range of industries. 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 tube is one of the most widely used stainless steel grades. It has a low carbon content and high chromium and nickel composition. It is readily drawn and formed, and shows good strength and outstanding corrosion resistance, including protection against intergranular corrosion during welding.

More Details About 304/304L

  • Advantages/Disadvantages

    304 stainless is part of the austenitic steel family. One of the disadvantages of austenitic steels is that it cannot be hardened by heat treatment. This aside, 304 is an incredibly versatile stainless steel grade that can be readily drawn and formed. Both hardness and strength can be improved through cold working. It has good ductility in the annealed condition.  Additionally, 304L demonstrates excellent corrosion resistance given its ultra low carbon makeup.

  • Industries

    304 stainless steel tube can be seen in the aerospace, automotive, food and dairy, textile, pharmaceutical, and architecture industries, among others.

  • Applications

    This grade is frequently purposed in chemical processing equipment across industries, from food and dairy, to pharmaceutical and textiles. It is also utilized for heat exchangers, construction materials, and kitchen equipment.

  • Machining

    It is machinable.

  • Welding

    304 stainless is weldable. Due to added intergranular corrosion protection, 304L performs better where weld quality in a corrosive environment 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

  • Can you use 304 stainless steel tube in the "as welded" state?

    ANSWER:

    The “as welded” state eliminates the need for annealing prior to welding, which saves time and resources. While 304 stainless steel tube can sometimes be used in the “as welded” state, the ultra low carbon in 304L adds protection against intergranular corrosion to produce more durable weldments.

  • How does 304 perform in elevated temperature conditions?

    ANSWER:

    As temperatures increase, let’s say from room temperature to 1600°F, the mechanical properties of 304 will depreciate. For example, ultimate strength will drop from 586 MPa (85 ksi) to 110 MPa (16 ksi).

  • What is the Brinell hardness number (BHN) of this stainless steel grade?

    ANSWER:

    The BHN for 304 stainless in the annealed condition is 150. Once cold drawn, the BHN increases to 277.

Services provided to 304/304L Stainless Steel Tube products

Milling

Kloeckner Metals offers milling as part of...

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Weld Prep

Kloeckner Metals is proud to offer weld...

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Oxy-Fuel Cutting | Flame Cutting

Kloeckner Metals is proud to provide oxy-fuel...

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Machining

Kloeckner Metals Corporation is proud to offer...

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Tapping

Kloeckner Metals is proud to provide tapping...

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Heat Straightening

Kloeckner Metals offers heat straightening as part...

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Tube Laser

With investments in the latest laser tube...

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Colored Stainless

Kloeckner is proud to offer oxy-fuel cutting...

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Shot Blasting

Kloeckner offers industry-leading shot blasting and paint...

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Laser Cutting

For a better cut, choose Kloeckner, the...

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Slitting

Kloeckner is at the forefront of the...

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Plasma Cutting

Leading the North American metals industry with...

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Sawing

With strong investments in the latest equipment,...

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Shearing

Kloeckner offers customers the latest in shearing...

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Welding

Kloeckner is capable of MIG, TIG, and...

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Punching

Thanks to industry leadership in innovation, Kloeckner...

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Drilling

When it comes to drilling equipment and...

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Industries served by 304/304L Stainless Steel Tube

Architectural

Kloeckner is on a mission to uplift...

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HVAC

Combining unparalleled scope and quality of HVAC...

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Appliance

Spearheading processes and products that match the...

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