EN 1.4306 Stainless Steel: Composition, Properties and Applications

What Is EN 1.4306 Stainless Steel?

EN 1.4306 is a low-carbon austenitic stainless steel defined in the European standard EN 10088, with the steel name X2CrNi19-11. It is the higher-nickel member of the 304L family: the carbon content is limited to 0.03% maximum, which suppresses the precipitation of chromium carbides at grain boundaries during welding. As a result, 1.4306 keeps its corrosion resistance in the as-welded condition, without a post-weld solution annealing treatment. The higher nickel content of 10-12% gives slightly better general corrosion resistance and toughness than the standard 304L analysis, and the grade is widely used for welded equipment in the chemical, food, beverage, pharmaceutical and architectural industries.

Grade Equivalents of 1.4306

Standard System	Designation
EN (Europe)	1.4306 / X2CrNi19-11
ASTM / AISI (USA)	304L / UNS S30403
JIS (Japan)	SUS304L
GB (China)	022Cr19Ni10

Note that EN 10088 also defines 1.4307 (X2CrNi18-9), a 304L-type grade with the same carbon limit but a lower nickel range of 8.0-10.5%. 1.4306 is the higher-nickel variant and is specified when improved corrosion resistance or toughness is required.

Chemical Composition (EN 10088-2)

Element	Specified Range (wt%)
Carbon (C)	0.030 max
Silicon (Si)	1.00 max
Manganese (Mn)	2.00 max
Phosphorus (P)	0.045 max
Sulfur (S)	0.015 max
Nitrogen (N)	0.11 max
Chromium (Cr)	17.0 - 19.5
Nickel (Ni)	10.0 - 12.0

The low carbon limit is the defining feature of the grade, and the sulfur limit is lower than in older 304 analyses, which improves pitting resistance in the base material.

Mechanical Properties and Physical Data

Property	Value (EN 10088-2)
Tensile strength (Rm)	500 - 700 MPa
Yield strength (Rp0.2), min	200 MPa (sheet, up to 8 mm)
Elongation (A), min	45%
Density	7.9 g/cm3

In the annealed condition the grade is non-magnetic, although heavy cold working can induce slight magnetism. It retains excellent toughness at cryogenic temperatures, down to about -196 deg C, which makes it suitable for low-temperature service. In pressure equipment, the maximum design temperature is limited by the applicable code, typically in the region of 400-425 deg C, above which creep becomes a design factor.

Corrosion Resistance, Weldability and Applications

The primary advantage of 1.4306 is resistance to intergranular corrosion after welding: because the carbon content is so low, chromium carbide precipitation during cooling from welding temperatures is suppressed, so the heat-affected zone retains its corrosion resistance without post-weld heat treatment. This makes the grade the standard choice for heavy welded fabrications such as storage tanks, process vessels and pipelines in mildly corrosive media. Like all 304-type grades, it tolerates only low chloride concentrations; for seawater or high-chloride exposure, a molybdenum-bearing grade such as 316L (1.4404) or a duplex grade is required. Typical applications include food and beverage processing equipment, brewery and dairy tanks, pharmaceutical clean-room equipment, architectural panels and handrails, cryogenic equipment, and general chemical storage. Verification of the delivered material commonly includes chemical analysis, mechanical testing and, where specified, intergranular corrosion testing per ASTM A262 to confirm the low-carbon performance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is 1.4306 the same as 304L?

Yes. 1.4306 is the European EN designation of a 304L-type steel (X2CrNi19-11), corresponding to UNS S30403 and JIS SUS304L. It typically has a higher nickel content than the standard 304L analysis, which gives slightly better corrosion resistance and toughness.

What is the difference between 1.4306 and 1.4301?

1.4301 (X5CrNi18-9) is the standard 304 grade with carbon up to 0.07%, while 1.4306 limits carbon to 0.03% maximum. The low-carbon grade resists intergranular corrosion after welding and is preferred for heavy welded fabrications; 1.4301 is the general-purpose grade.

What is the difference between 1.4306 and 1.4307?

Both are 304L-type grades with the same carbon limit of 0.03%. The difference is nickel: 1.4307 (X2CrNi18-9) contains 8.0-10.5% nickel, while 1.4306 (X2CrNi19-11) contains 10.0-12.0% nickel. The higher-nickel 1.4306 offers slightly better corrosion resistance and toughness.

Is 1.4306 magnetic?

No. In the annealed condition it is non-magnetic. Heavy cold working can produce slight magnetism, which is normal for austenitic stainless steels.

Can 1.4306 be used in chloride environments?

It tolerates low chloride concentrations, such as mild industrial atmospheres, but it is not suitable for seawater, de-icing salts or high-chloride process media. For those services, select 316L (1.4404) or a duplex grade.

Can 1.4306 be welded?

Yes, with excellent results using standard austenitic stainless steel procedures and matching low-carbon filler metal. The low carbon content allows the weld to be used in the as-welded condition without post-weld solution annealing in most corrosive services.