304 Austenitic Stainless Steel – All-Purpose Corrosion-Resistant Alloy For Everyday Use

304 Austenitic Stainless Steel – All-Purpose Corrosion-Resistant Alloy for Everyday Use

Description

304 is the most versatile and widely adopted austenitic stainless steel, celebrated for its unbeatable balance of corrosion resistance, formability, and cost-effectiveness. As an 18-8 stainless steel (18.0-20.0% chromium, 8.0-11.0% nickel), it forms a stable austenitic microstructure that renders it non-magnetic at room temperature. Unlike specialized grades, 304 excels in mild corrosive environments-including atmospheric, freshwater, and food-contact settings-resisting rust and oxidation without the need for expensive alloy additions. It boasts exceptional formability, supporting bending, stamping, and welding with minimal effort, while maintaining reliable mechanical strength. While not suitable for severe chloride or marine conditions, its all-around performance makes it the go-to choice for both consumer and industrial applications where reliability and affordability are key.

Chemical Composition (wt%)

C ≤ 0.08, Cr: 18.00-20.00, Ni: 8.00-11.00, Mn ≤ 2.00, Si ≤ 1.00, P ≤ 0.045, S ≤ 0.030

Mechanical Properties

Tensile Strength ≥ 520 MPa, Yield Strength ≥ 205 MPa, Elongation ≥ 40%, Hardness ≤ 200 HB

Advantages

Exceptional versatility for diverse applications; reliable corrosion resistance in mild environments; non-magnetic at ambient temperatures; easy to form, weld, and machine; cost-effective for mass production; excellent surface finish potential.

Applications

Kitchen appliances (sinks, ovens, refrigerators), food processing equipment, architectural cladding, water storage tanks, tubing, fasteners, and general industrial components.

Equivalent Grades

AISI 304, UNS S30400, EN 1.4301, GB 06Cr19Ni10, SUS304

Stainless Steel Suppliers

If you have project requirements for stainless steel, we welcome your order. GNEE has a large inventory of popular products for you to choose from. It can be processed into various practical product forms, including plates, coils, tubes, bars, wires, etc. For detailed chemical composition information and free samples, please contact our factory immediately. We offer competitive prices and excellent service.Email: info@gneestainless.com

 

Testing and Documentation: Factory test certificate, EN 10204 3.1, chemical report, mechanical report, destructive testing report, non-destructive testing report, PMI test report, visual inspection report, third-party inspection report, NABL certified laboratory report.
Packaging: Wooden crate packaging, bubble wrap packaging, steel strapping, or packaging according to customer requirements.