304 Stainless Steel - DIN 1.4301 - X5CrNi18-10 - ~SUS 304

Where can the 304 stainless steel be used?

304 stainless steel, as the most commonly used steel grade of stainless steel, can be used in various applications and in environments that expose it to moisture. In the food and beverage industry it is used because it is non-toxic as well as corrosion resistant.

Home appliances like sinks, ovens, utensils and cooking tools are often made from the 304 due to its aesthetic appeal and durability. 304 is often used for tanks and piping in environments without a high concentration of chlorides or halides. In non chloride environments it can be used in the shells of heat exchangers.

Due to its non-reactive properties this material grade is often used for medical instruments and devices. Its pleasing finishes and corrosion resistance make it a preferable choice for architectural accents as well as trims in the automotive industry.

Is the 304 a stainless steel?

With an 18% content of chromium, the 304 forms a protective chromium oxide layer. This layer is passive and non-reactive and seals and protects the iron below it from external influences. When scratched or damaged the oxide layer is able to “heal” itself providing there is enough oxygen available. 

This process of renewal makes stainless steel resistant to rusting compared to regular steel. The 8% nickel enhances the overall corrosion resistance and contributes to the formability as well as its polished and bright appearance.

304 stainless corrosion resistant?

304 stainless steel / General corrosion

304 has excellent corrosion resistance in many environments and when in contact with different corrosive media. The formation of chromium carbides on the grain boundaries and the resulting chromium depletion in the surrounding areas makes the 304 susceptible to intergranular corrosion. 304 exhibits good corrosion resistance in natural environmental media in the absence of chlorine and salt concentrations.

Gas corrosion

In general, 304 stainless steel can be used in environments with gasses though the composition, concentration, temperature, pressure and other factors should be taken in consideration before exposing this steel grade to them. Where the 304 performs well in an oxidizing atmosphere it does not perform as well in a reducing atmosphere for example.

Therefore the corrosion resistance of the 304 in gaseous environments depends on the specific gas as well as the conditions to which the steel is exposed.

Pitting corrosion

When in contact with chloride solutions or oxidizing media, pitting resistance is important as those conditions may facilitate the penetration of the passive surface film in places. A single deep point of entry may cause more damage than many shallow ones. 

Intergranular corrosion

Intergranular corrosion is the result due to the precipitation of chromium carbides at the grain boundaries when cooled after welding at the sensitizing temperature range of 840-1560°F (450-850°C). Therefore, sensitized materials should not be exposed to corrosive environments as intergranular corrosion may occur at the welding point.

Atmospheric corrosion

304 performs well in urban and rural areas. In industrial environments with  high concentration of industrial pollutants e.g., sulphur or in a marine environment with a high concentration of salt the corrosion resistance of the 304 can be compromised. 

Regular maintenance as well as a polished or smooth surface can make it harder for any contaminants to adhere to the material. If the material has to withstand more aggressive environments an additional protective layer or a different material grade should be considered. 

Oxidation

As the 304 has a protective chromium oxide layer it prevents further penetration of oxygen and protects the steel under this layer from corrosion. While resistant to oxidation in ambient temperatures, exposure to continuous high temperatures can lead to heavy scale formation and may result in a reduction of mechanical properties due to grain growth.

At temperatures above 1560°F (850°C) the 304 might experience sensitization which makes the steel susceptible to intergranular corrosion. To restore the appearance of the 304 if it has oxidized in high temperatures it can be pickled or electropolished to remove oxide scaling.  

Stress corrosion cracking

Austenitic steels are prone to stress corrosion cracking, as can be encountered at temperatures above 140°F (60°C) when the steel is exposed to tensile stresses or comes into contact with solutions containing chlorides at the same time for example.

Is the 304 stainless steel magnetizable?

As an austenitic steel the 304 is not magnetizable.

304 Stainless steel heat resistance

304 steel has good oxidation resistance in intermittent service to 1598°F (870°C) and in continuous service to 1697°F (925°C). Not recommended is continuous use in the range of 797-1580°F (425-860°C) if aqueous corrosion resistance is important later on.

Heat treatment for 304 stainless steel

Unlike martensitic steel, 304 stainless steel cannot be hardened by heat treatment as no phase changes occur on heating and cooling.

Solution annealing 304 stainless steel

Heat the protected steel through to 1630°F (890°C) and then rapidly cool the material in flowing air or water. This process dissolves any chromium carbides that may have formed. The rapid cooling results in a single phase austenitic microstructure, the preferred structure for the 304 stainless steel and results in achieving the maximum corrosion resistance. 

Stress relieving 304 stainless steel

Heat the material through to 1112°F (600°C) after rough machining and hold for 2 hours. Cool slowly to 930°F (500°C), then it can be freely cooled further in air. Stress relieving above 1112°F (600°C) will cause a serious threat of grain boundary sensitization accompanied with loss of corrosion resistance.

Hardening 304 stainless steel

Preheating temperature: 1110-1560°F (600-850°C)

Austenitizing temperature: 1830-1920°F (1000-1050°C), should usually be done at 1870-1885°F (1020-1030°C)

Parts need to be protected against decarburization and oxidation during the hardening process.

Quenching 304 stainless steel

To obtain its greatest properties cool the parts as quickly as possible, but care should be taken to maintain acceptable distortion. The parts have to be tempered as soon as they reach the temperature of 120-160°F (50-70°C).

• Fluidized bed or salt bath at 480-1020°F (250-550°C) followed by cooling in an air blast
• Vacuum with sufficient positive pressure
• High speed gas/circulating atmosphere

Tempering 304 stainless steel

Choose the tempering temperature that needs to be achieved, temper twice and cool between tempering to room temperature. Do not let the tempering temperature drop below 480°F (250°C) and hold at the chosen temperature for a minimum of 2 hours. At the tempering temperature of 480°F (250°C) the best combination of toughness, hardness and corrosion resistance can be achieved. 

Dimensional changes of the 304 stainless steel

Depending on temperature, equipment and cooling media used during heat treatment, dimensional changes of approx. 0.15% per side should be taken into account. Also important is the size and geometric shape of the tool and a stress relief should be done between rough and semi-finishing.

Sub-Zero treatment of the 304 stainless steel

As an austenitic steel grade, unlike for tool steel the sub-zero treatment to convert retained austenite does not have the same purpose. It refines the microstructure of the 304 to enhance the corrosion resistance and improve the mechanical properties. It can increase the tensile and yield strength while retaining its high ductility during this treatment.

While sub-zero treatment can be beneficial the overall processing and compatibility should be considered.

304 stainless steel Electrical Discharge Machining (EDM)

The 304 can be EDMed when care is taken to the set up, choice of electrodes and setting of the machining parameters.

Due to its good conductivity the 304 stainless steel can be EDMed at relatively high speed. The  surface may have a rougher finish due to the chromium content which necessitates fine tuning the machining parameters or additional finishing operations may be needed.

After the EDM process the recast layer, a thin white layer, should be removed. This can be done by polishing or electropolishing the parts. 

304 stainless steel surface treatment

Choosing the surface treatment for the 304 stainless steel, the desired outcome and application should be considered. As well, some treatments can impact the corrosion resistance positively but also negatively, so if corrosion resistance is a priority, it should be considered to use a surface treatment to enhance the natural corrosion resistance of this grade. 

Find below some of the possible surface treatments.

304 stainless steel passivation

To remove free iron from the surface of the material, the surface is treated with an acid solution, this will leave the passive chromium layer with an even richer and purer chromium layer that enhances the natural corrosion resistance of the 304.

Polishing the 304 stainless steel

Various finishes, from brushed to mirror finish, can be achieved by polishing the surface of the 304 stainless steel.  

304 stainless steel abrasive blasting

This process blasts abrasive particles against the surface under high pressure. This process is used to clean contaminants, rust, paint or scale of the surface or can promote a surface texture or finish.

The 304 stainless steel can get blasted with glass or ceramic beads to promote a matte or satin finish.

Note: Care has to be taken during this process as the process produces dust and small parts might be propelled back. Protective gear like masks, helmets and protective clothing should be worn and adequate ventilation or dust extraction should be provided.

304 stainless steel pickling

With a mixture of strong acids oxide scales and surface contaminants are removed. This process is often done after welding for example.

Electropolishing 304 stainless steel

Electropolishing is a non-mechanical chemical process using an electric current to remove a thin layer of material to give the material a smooth and shiny surface. This process is not to be confused with passivation which also is a non-mechanical chemical process but does not use the electric current. 

304 stainless steel Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD)

During PVD treatment a thin layer of material is introduced onto the surface of the material. This treatment can give the steel a unique color or enhance  the surface properties.

304 stainless steel machinability

While machining the 304 stainless steel only tools dedicated to work with stainless steel should be used and surfaces and tools kept clean to avoid cross contamination. Contamination of the 304 stainless steel can introduce particles that attack the material.

Cutting edges should be kept sharp as dull edges can promote excess work hardening. The low thermal conductivity of austenitic steels may impact the cutting edges by concentrating heat there. Lubricants and coolants should be liberally used to avoid the heat concentration in the cutting edges.

Forging 304 stainless steel

Forging temperatures for the 304 are in the range of 2010 - 2280°F (1100 - 1250°C). 

Heat uniformly to the higher end of the temperature range and forge while the material is cooling. After this process let the material cool in air or in a dry environment. To adjust the structure and mechanical properties after forging the material should be solution annealed as described above. This will remove forging stresses and restore its austenitic structure.

To avoid excessive work hardening extreme working temperatures and low temperatures during forging should be avoided. High temperatures and the presence of air may lead to oxide scaling which may need to be removed depending on the following application and the desired finish. To reduce friction appropriate lubricants should be used.

Welding 304 stainless steel

The 304 stainless steel can be welded by a variety of methods like Gas Tungsten and Gas Metal Arc Welding (GTAW/TIG and GMAW/MIG) or Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW) and Resistance Welding.

With the correct choice of filler, technique and post-weld treatment this material grade has a good weldability. Care has to be taken against distortion, intergranular corrosion, residual weld stresses, oxide formation and sensitization by choosing the correct temperature and taking the thermal expansion in consideration.

Wear resistance of the AISI 304 stainless steel

The wear resistance of the AISI 304 stainless steel is a 1 on a scale where 1 is low and 6 is high.

Tensile strength 304 stainless steel

The 304 has a tensile strength of approx. 100.0 KSI on delivery (0.145 KSI = 1MPa). In order to reach this value, a tensile test is performed to show how much force is needed to stretch or elongate a sample before it breaks.

304 stainless steel working hardness

The working hardness for 304 steel is in the range of 195 - 215 BHN (50 - 56 HRC).

Specific heat capacity of the 304 stainless steel

The specific heat capacity of the 304 is at room temperature at 0.5J/g-°C (0.119BTU/lb-°F) This value shows how much heat is needed  to heat 1lb of material by 1 Fahrenheit.

304 stainless steel properties

304 stainless steel density

Typically the density of the 304 is 0.285 lb/in3 (7.8g/cm3) at room temperature.

Thermal conductivity of the 304 stainless steel

The heat conductivity for the 304 is at 15 W/(m*K) (8.667 BTU/(h-ft*°F)) at room temperature.

 

304 stainless steel specific electrical resistivity

You can find the temperature dependent material constant (Resistivity) in the following table. The electrical conductivity is the reciprocal value of the specific resistance.

 

304 stainless steel modulus of elasticity (Young’s Modulus)

The relationship between stress and strain of steel is described in the modulus of elasticity (Young’s Modulus) and can be found in the table below with the according values and temperatures.

 

Is 304 stainless steel a knife steel?

The 304 is not usually used for knife making as it has poor edge retention due to the low carbon content and is difficult to sharpen.

Conclusion

304 stainless steel is one of the most used stainless steels due to its high corrosion resistance to a wide range of environments and media. It has good formability and weldability which does not become magnetic in its annealed condition. The 304 is readily available in many forms and has a pleasing and easy to maintain surface finish.

304 stainless steel datasheet

As a 304 steel supplier we provide you with the datasheet for the 304 stainless steel in PDF format.

304 stainless steel alternatives or equivalent

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