Alloy 304/304L

Most Widely Used Austenitic Stainless Steel, a Versatile Corrosion Resistant Alloy for General Purpose Applications.

Available thicknesses for Alloy 304/304L:

Alloy 304/304L (UNS S30400/S30403) is the most widely utilized “18-8” chromium-nickel austenitic stainless steel. It is an economical and versatile corrosion resistant alloy suitable for a wide range of general purpose applications.

It is common practice for 304L to be dual certified as 304 and 304L. The low carbon chemistry of 304L combined with an addition of nitrogen enables 304L to meet the mechanical properties of 304.

Alloy 304/304L resists atmospheric corrosion, as well as, moderately oxidizing and reducing environments. The alloy has excellent resistance to intergranular corrosion in the as-welded condition. Alloy 304/304L has excellent strength and toughness at cryogenic temperatures.

Alloy 304/304L is non-magnetic in the annealed condition, but can become slightly magnetic as a result of cold working or welding. It can be easily welded and processed by standard shop fabrication practices.

Corrosion Resistance

Alloy 304/304L has good resistance to atmospheric corrosion, foods and beverages and to many organic and inorganic chemicals in moderately oxidizing to moderately reducing environments. The high chromium content of the alloy provides resistance to oxidizing solutions such as nitric acid up to 55% weight and up to 176°F (80°C).

Alloy 304/304L also resists moderately aggressive organic acids such as acetic. The nickel present in the alloy provides resistance to moderately reducing solutions such as pure phosphoric acid, whatever the concentration, in cold solutions and up to 10% diluted hot solutions. The alloy can also operate successfully in caustic solutions free of chlorides or Alloy 304/304L does not perform well in more highly reducing environments such as those containing chlorides and sulfuric acid.

Alloy 304/304L performs well in fresh water service with low levels of chlorides (less than 100ppm). At higher chloride levels the grade is susceptible to crevice corrosion and pitting. For successful performance under these more severe conditions, higher molybdenum content is need such as 316/316L. Alloy 304/304L is not recommended for service in marine environments.

In most instances, the corrosion resistance of Alloys 304, 304L and 304H will be roughly equal in most corrosive environments. However, in environments that are sufficiently corrosive to cause intergranular corrosion of welds and heat-affected zones Alloy 304L should be used because of its low carbon content.

Lowest Temperature (°F) at Which the Corrosion Rate Exceeds 5mpy

CORROSION ENVIRONMENT	Type 304	Type 316L	2205 (UNS S32205)	2507
0.2% Hydrochloric Acid	>Boiling	>Boiling	>Boiling	>Boiling
1% Hydrochloric Acid	86p	86	185	>Boiling
10% Sulfuric Acid	—	122	140	167
60% Sulfuric Acid	—	<54	<59	<57
96% Sulfuric Acid	—	113	77	86
85% Phosphoric Acid	176	203	194	203
10% Nitric Acid	>Boiling	>Boiling	>Boiling	>Boiling
65% Niitric Acid	212	212	221	230
80% Acetic Acid	212p	>Boiling	>Boiling	>Boiling
50% Formic Acid	≤50	104	194	194
50% Sodium Hydroxide	185	194	194	230
83% Phosphoric Acid + 2% Hydrofluoric Acid	113	149	122	140
60% Nitric Acid + 2% Hydrocloric Acid	>140	>140	>140	>140
50% Acetic Acid + 50% Acetic Anhydride	>Boiling	248	212	230
1% Hydrochloric Acid + 0.3% Ferric Chloride	68p	77p	113ps	203ps
10% Sulfuric Acid + 2000ppm Cl- + N2	—	77	95	122
10% Sulfuric Acid + 2000ppm Cl- + SO2	—	<<59p	<59	104
WPA1, High Cl- Content	<<50	≤50	113	203
WPA2, High F- Content	<<50	≤50	140	167

ps = pitting can occur
ps = pitting/crevice corrosion can occur

WPA	P2O5	CL-	F-	H2SO4	Fe2O3	Al2O3	SiO2	CaO	MgO
1	54	0.20	0.50	4.0	0.30	0.20	0.10	0.20	0.70
2	54	0.02	2.0	4.0	0.30	0.20	0.10	0.20	0.70

Chemical Analysis

Weight % (all values are maximum unless a range is otherwise indicated)

Mean Coefficient of Thermal Expansion

Temperature Range
°F	°C	in/in °F	cm/cm °C
68-212	20-100	9.2 x 10-6	16.6 x 10-6
68-932	20-500	10.6 x 10-6	18.2 x 10-6
68-1600	20-870	11.0 x 10-6	19.8 x 10-6

Mechanical Properties

NOTE: The information and data in this product data sheet are accurate to the best of our knowledge and belief, but are intended for informational purposes only, and may be revised at any time without notice. Applications suggested for the materials are described only to help readers make their own evaluations and decisions, and are neither guarantees nor to be construed as express or implied warranties of suitability for these or other applications. Stainless Steel, Nickel Alloy and Titanium products are classified as sheet if the thickness of the metals is less than 3/16” (4.7mm). If the thickness of the metal is 3/16” (4.7mm) or more, then it is considered a plate.