What is the difference between 304 and 304L stainless steel？

Which is more commonly used, 304 or 304L?

304 has a higher proportion in civilian fields such as tableware and building materials due to its lower cost; 304L focuses on professional fields such as chemical engineering and energy

What are the differences in mechanical performance?
Due to the difference in carbon content, 304 and 304L stainless steels also have different mechanical properties. Generally speaking, the tensile strength and yield strength of 304L stainless steel are slightly lower than those of 304 stainless steel, but their elongation and hardness are not significantly different

 

How to distinguish between 304 and 304L stainless steel?
View product labeling, chemical composition testing, consult professionals

 

Is 304L more expensive than 304?

The price of 304L stainless steel is generally higher than that of 304 stainless steel.

 

What does the L stand for in 304L stainless steel?

The letter L after the grade, such as 304L, indicates that the carbon content is limited to 0.03% (the highest normal level is 0.08%, and in some grades it can reach up to 0.15%).