304L Stainless Steel is a commonly used engineering material. This page provides a complete data sheet including composition, mechanical properties, thermal properties, and typical applications. Use this information for material selection, engineering design, and comparison with similar grades.
304L stainless steel is a type of austenitic stainless steel, which is a widely used and versatile class of stainless steels known for their corrosion resistance, high-temperature strength, and excellent formability. Also known as A2. The 304 in its name refers to its composition, primarily composed of iron, chromium, and nickel. The L stands for low carbon, indicating that this variant has a lower carbon content compared to standard 304 stainless steel. Excellent welding properties; post-weld annealing is not required when welding thin sections.
304L stainless steel is highly resistant to corrosion and staining, making it suitable for a wide range of applications, including use in corrosive environments and exposure to chemicals.
In an offshore environment 304 will tarnish and show rust especially at welds while 316 wont. 304 is preferred in cryogenic (LiN, LPG, etc) over 316 and both preferred over any carbon steel which will become brittle. 304 and 316 can both be a quick fix where offshore carbon steels would other require charpy impact testing. 304 needs consideration of consumables, pass temperature and pickling and passivation when being welded for clean but corrosive service.
Corrosion resistance: Resistance to moderately aggressive organic acids & resistance to corrosion in oxidizing environments.
TYPICAL APPLICATIONS
Commercial applications for this engineering material include:
- Pharmaceutical processing equipment
- Chemical processing equipment
- Architectural mouldings
- Sinks & splashbacks
- Tubing
- Springs, nuts, bolts & screws
EuroNorm 1.4307, ASTM/ASME: UNS S30403, BS 304S11, AFNOR Z2 CN 18-9, EN X5CrNi18-9, DIN X5CrNi18-9, UNI X5CrNi18-9, Grade 304L, Alloy 304L, A2 and Type 304L.
Carbon (C) 0.0 - 0.03%
Chromium (Cr) 17.50 - 19.50%
Manganese (Mn) 0.0 - 2.00%
Silicon (Si) 0.0 - 1.00%
Phosphorous (P) 0.0 - 0.05%
Sulphur (S) 0.0 - 0.02%
Nickel (Ni) 8.00 - 10.50%
Nitrogen (N) 0.0 - 0.11%
Iron (Fe) Balance
| Metric | Imperial | |
|---|---|---|
| Dielectric Strength | ∞V/m | ∞V/ft |
| Electric Resistivity (@ 20 °C) | 72 µΩcm | 28.30 µΩin |
| Magnetic Permeability | 1.02 | 1.02 |
| Metric | Imperial | |
|---|---|---|
| Ductility | 58 % | 58 % |
| Friction Coefficient (static) | 0.06-0.15 | 0.06-0.15 |
| Hardness, Rockwell B | 70 | 70 |
| Poissons Ratio | 0.29 | 0.29 |
| Proof Stress | 170 Mpa | 24656.41 psi |
| Mass Density | 8000 Kg/m3 | 499.42 lb/ft3 |
| Shear Modulus | 77 Gpa | 11167.90 ksi |
| Tensile Strength | 517 MPa | 74984.49 psi |
| Yield Strength | 170 MPa | 24656.41 psi |
| Youngs Modulus | 193 GPa | 27992.28 ksi |
| Metric | Imperial | |
|---|---|---|
| Coefficient of Thermal Expansion (Linear @ 0-100°C) | 17.2 x 10-6 °C-1 | 9.56 x 10-6 °F-1 |
| Melting Point | 1400 °C | 2552.00-32.00 °F |
| Service Temperature in Air Intermittent | 870 °C | 1598.00 °F |
| Service Temperature in Air Continous | 925 °C | 1697.00 °F |
| Specific Heat Capacity | 0.5 J/g-°C | 220.93 BTU/lb-°F |
| Thermal Conductivity | 16 W/mK | 9.24 BTU/hr ft |