Oct

304 Stainless Steel: The Ultimate Guide

Among the numerous varieties of stainless steel, 304 grade stainless steel stands out for its versatility, resilience, and adaptability. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about this alloy, from its chemical composition and physical properties to its common product forms and variations. Let’s explore the vast landscape of 304 stainless steel and discover its impact across diverse industries and applications.

Overview: What is 304 Stainless Steel?
What Are Some Common Applications for 304 Stainless Steel?
Chemical Composition and Properties of 304 Stainless Steel
What is the Difference Between Grade 304 and 316 Stainless Steel?
Can 304 Stainless Steel Be Cold-Worked?
What Are Common Product Forms of 304 Stainless Steel?
304 Stainless Steel Variations
More than a Metal

Overview: What is 304 Stainless Steel?

304 stainless steel, also known as the UNS S30400, is a type of austenitic stainless steel. It is the most common grade of stainless steel alloys, accounting for more than 50% of the stainless steel used worldwide, and sold in many different product forms, including strip, slit coil, and blanks, as well as fine, flat, round, and shaped wire. Its versatility and strong properties make it a popular choice for many applications in a broad range of industries.

What Are Some Common Applications for 304 Stainless Steel?

This stainless steel alloy is widely used in various industries, including the medical, automotive, aerospace, food, and industrial markets, thanks to its durability, versatility, corrosion resistance, and favorable mechanical properties.

Common applications include:

Learn more about austenitic stainless steel, including its many other applications.

Chemical Composition and Properties of 304 Stainless Steel

Comprised of 18% chromium, 8% nickel, and limited amounts of manganese and carbon content, 304 stainless steel is recognized for its exceptional rust and corrosion resistance. Its chromium content forms a passive oxide layer on the surface, protecting it from corrosion in various environments, including freshwater, saltwater, and mildly corrosive chemicals.

Because of its excellent corrosion resistance and non-reactive nature, 304 stainless steel is commonly used in the food, pharmaceutical, and medical industries, where cleanliness and hygiene are essential.

304 stainless steel’s balance of yield and tensile strength and ductility make it a popular choice for various structural and fabrication applications. It has good drawability and can be formed into a variety of shapes without being in an annealed condition.

It has a strong resistance to elevated temperature, withstanding temperatures of up to 1598 °F for short periods of time with good oxidation resistance and extended periods of time in temperatures of up to 1697 °F. Prolonged exposure can, however, compromise the overall corrosion resistance of the metal and make it more likely to suffer corrosion damage from exposure to moisture.

Like other stainless steels, 304 is 100% recyclable and can be reused in various applications, making it an environmentally friendly material choice.

Discover more of the physical properties and characteristics of 304 Stainless Steel UNS S30400.

What is the Difference Between Grade 304 and 316 Stainless Steel?

There are five groups of stainless steel: austenitic, martensitic, and ferritic stainless steel, plus PH Grades and Duplex Grades. Both 304 grade and 316 grade stainless steels are part of the austenitic stainless steel family and are often compared due to their similarities in chemical composition, attributes, and appearance.

These two alloys are known for their durability and rust and corrosion resistance. The main difference between them is that 316 stainless steel contains molybdenum, a chemical element used for steel hardening and strengthening. It also contains more nickel and less chromium than 304 stainless steel. Due to its strong corrosion resistance and lower cost, 304 is the most used choice.

Can 304 Stainless Steel Be Cold-Worked?

304 stainless steel is renowned for its versatility, including its ability to undergo cold working processes. Cold working is a work-hardening process used to change the structure of metals without using any heat treatment. The cold rolling process increases stainless steel’s strength, improves corrosion resistance, enhances its surface finish, and provides better dimensional accuracy. Cold-rolled stainless steel is an extremely ductile material ideal for many applications.

Cold working methods for manufacturing include deep draw, cold extrusion, precision stamping, and roll forming. The degree of cold working, often expressed as a reduction percentage, directly impacts the material’s temper condition, allowing for the customization of hardness, tensile strength, and other critical properties.

Explore more about cold rolling stainless steel and other metals.

What Are Common Product Forms of 304 Stainless Steel?

There are numerous 304 stainless steel product forms consisting of:

Strip – Ulbrich’s flagship product since 1924
Slit coil
Blanks
Fine wire
Flat wire
Round wire
Shaped wire

Different product forms are used in various manufacturing operations. Strip, slit coil, and blanks are often stamped, deep drawn, coined, or roll formed. Fine, flat, and round wires are typically braided on braiding machines or woven, while shaped wires are usually cut to length or roll formed to make gaskets, filters, etc.

304 Stainless Steel Variations

Variations of 304 stainless steel include:

304V Stainless Steel UNS S30400 – Initially electric-arc melted, 304V is used in orthodontic arc wire, catheters, guide wires, surgical instruments, implants, and springs and needles.
304Cu Stainless Steel UNS S30430 – Increased copper content makes 304Cu applicable to unique uses; applications include fasteners, electrical components, chemical processing, machined components, and marine applications.
304LV Stainless Steel UNS S30400 – Containing low carbon, 304LV is first electric-arc melted, then vacuum arc remelted (VAR). Applications consist of medical implants, surgical instruments, catheters, guide wire, springs and needles, and orthodontic wire.
304L Stainless Steel UNS S30403 – 304L has oxidation resistance to a maximum temperature of 1650 °F continuously without appreciable scaling. It is used for medical devices, surgical parts, tubing, flexible metal hoses, and bellows.

Get customized orders of 304V, 304LVM, or 316V stainless steel wire for medical manufacturing.

More than a Metal

In an ever-evolving industrial landscape where materials define progress, 304 stainless steel remains a symbol of excellence. Its impressive properties and versatility have made it indispensable to thousands of applications worldwide.

Ready to explore the endless possibilities of 304 stainless steel for your next product? Whether in the medical field, automotive industry, or another sector that demands the highest quality materials, 304 stainless steel can be your key to success.

Contact us today to discover how this versatile alloy can elevate your project.

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