Commodities

Type 304 and 304L Stainless Steel

Uses and Properties of Types 304 and 304L

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By Terence Bell
Updated June 06, 2017

Stainless steel takes its name from its ability to resist rusting thanks to the interaction between its alloying components and the
environment to which they're exposed. Numerous types of stainless steel serve a variety of purposes and many overlap. All
stainless steels are comprised of at least 10 percent chromium. 

Type 304 Stainless Steel 

Type 304 is the most widely used austenitic stainless steel, and it's also known as "18 8" stainless steel because of its
composition – it includes 18 percent chromium and 8 percent nickel.
Type 304 stainless steel has good forming and welding properties, as well as strong corrosion resistance and strength. It also
has good drawability. It can be formed into a variety of shapes and, in contrast to type 302 stainless, can be used without
annealing. 

Common uses for type 304 stainless steel are found in the food industry. It's ideal for brewing, milk processing and wine-
making, as well as in pipelines, yeast pans, fermentation vats and storage tanks.

Type 304 grade stainless steel is also found in sinks, tabletops, coffee pots, refrigerators, stoves and various utensils and other
cooking appliances. It can withstand corrosion that can be caused by various chemicals found in fruits, meats and milk. Other
areas of use include architecture, chemical containers, heat exchangers, mining equipment, and marine nuts, bolts and screws.
Type 304 is also used in mining and water filtration systems and in the dyeing industry.

Type 304L Stainless Steel 

Type 304L stainless steel is an extra-low carbon version of the 304 steel alloy. The lower carbon content in 304L minimizes
deleterious carbide precipitation as a result of welding. 304L can therefore be used "as welded" in severe corrosion
environments and it eliminates the need for annealing.
This grade has slightly lower mechanical properties than the standard 304 grade, but it's nonetheless widely used thanks to its
versatility. Like Type 304 stainless steel, it's commonly used in beer-brewing and wine-making, but also for purposes beyond
the food industry such as in chemical containers, mining and construction. It's ideal for use in metal parts such as nuts and
bolts that will be exposed to salt water. 

304 Stainless Physical Properties:

• Density: 0.803g/cm3

• Electrical resistivity: 72 microhm-cm (20C)

• Specific Heat: 0.50 kJ/kg-K (0 100°C)
• Thermal conductivity: 16.2 W/m-k (100°C)
• Modulus of Elasticity (MPa): 193 x 103 in tension

• Melting Range: 2550 2650°F (1399 1454°C)

Type 304 and 304L Stainless Steel Composition:

Element Type 304 (%) Type 304L (%)

Carbon 0.08 max. 0.03 max.

Manganese 2.00 max. 2.00 max.

Phosphorus 0.045 max. 0.045 max.

Sulfur 0.03 max. 0.03 max.

Silicon 0.75 max. 0.75 max.

Chromium 18.00 20.00 18.00 20.00

 Nickel 8.00 12.00 8.00 12.00

Nitrogen 0.10 max. 0.10 max.

Iron Balance Balance

Source: AK Steel Product Data Sheet. 304/304L Stainless Steel

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