{"id":709,"date":"2019-09-18T17:13:04","date_gmt":"2019-09-18T11:43:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ambicasteels.com\/blog\/?p=709"},"modified":"2024-11-05T16:54:07","modified_gmt":"2024-11-05T11:24:07","slug":"aisi-304-stainless-steel-one-of-the-most-versatile-grades-in-stainless-steel","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ambicasteels.com\/blog\/aisi-304-stainless-steel-one-of-the-most-versatile-grades-in-stainless-steel\/","title":{"rendered":"AISI 304 Stainless Steel – One Of The Most Versatile Grades In Stainless Steel"},"content":{"rendered":"
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<\/h3>\n

Introduction<\/h3>\n

Stainless steel contain Chromium as the principle alloying element other than ferrous. Chromium in the presence of oxygen forms a thin layer around the metal, thus shielding it from outside environment. Stainless steels contain a minimum of 10.5% Chromium. There are over 150+ grades of stainless steel which are divided into 5 types based on internal structure of the metal at room temperature. Austenitic, Ferritic, Martensitic, Duplex and Precipitation hardened are the 5 types of stainless steels. Austenitic grades constitute roughly 70% of the total consumption of stainless steel. Austenitic stainless steels<\/a> <\/strong>have BCC (Body-Centered Cubic) structure and are non-magnetic. This grade of stainless steel cannot be hardened by heat treatment but can be work hardened. AISI 304 is one of the most versatile grades within the austenitic grades. The grade finds applications in a variety of industries due to its excellent properties.<\/p>\n

Composition<\/h2>\n

AISI 304 is also known as 18\/8 Stainless steel. This name has been derived from the composition of Chromium and Nickel elements present in the alloy. Nickel amounts to about 8% and Chromium accounts for about 18%. A few suffixes used with 304 stainless steel<\/strong><\/a> with the major alterations in chemical composition are shown in below table-<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
\n

Grade<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Composition <\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

304L<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Low carbon (max. 0.03%)<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

304H<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

High carbon (0.04-0.08%)<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

304LN<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Low Carbon (max. 0.03%) with High Nitrogen (0.12-0.22%)<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

304N<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

High Nitrogen (0.10-0.16%)<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

<\/h2>\n

Properties of 304\/304L<\/h1>\n

<\/h3>\n

Chemical Properties (as per Standard EN 10088-3:2014)<\/h3>\n

 <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
\n

Composition <\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

304\/1.4301 <\/strong><\/td>\n304L\/1.4307<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n

Carbon (%)<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

Max. 0.07<\/td>\n\n

Max. 0.03<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Silicon (%)<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

Max. 1<\/td>\nMax. 1<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n

Manganese (%)<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

Max. 2<\/td>\n\n

Max. 2<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

Phosphorous (%)<\/strong><\/td>\nMax. 0.045<\/td>\n\n

Max. 0.045<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Sulphur (%)<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

Max. 0.030<\/td>\nMax. 0.030<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n

Chromium (%)<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

17.5-19.5<\/td>\n17.5-19.5<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Nickel (%)<\/strong><\/td>\n8.0-10.5<\/td>\n\n

8.0-10.5<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

Nitrogen (%)<\/strong><\/td>\nMax 0.11<\/td>\n\n

Max 0.11<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

<\/h2>\n

Mechanical Properties (as per Standard EN 10088-3:2014)<\/h2>\n

 <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n
\n

Grade<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Hardness (HBW) max.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

(0.2%) Proof strength (MPa) min<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Tensile strength (MPa) min.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Elongation after fracture (long. min.)<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Impact energy (J) min.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

304\/1.4301<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

215<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

190<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

500-700<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

45<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

100<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

304L\/1.4307<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

215<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

175<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

500-700<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

45<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

100<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Characteristics<\/h2>\n

Strengths<\/h2>\n