304 Stainless Steel Guide: Properties, Advantages, and Industry Uses

304 stainless steel is a general-purpose austenitic stain less steel. It consists of more than 18% chromium (Cr) and more than 8% nickel (Ni), with small amounts of carbon, manganese and other elements. This material is widely recognized as one of the most common types of stainless steel, accounting for more than 30% of all stainless steel consumed globally on an annual basis.

Why is it most common?

Cost-effective: compared to molybdenum-containing 316 stainless steel, 304 is cheaper to produce
Wide range of applications: from food processing equipment to architectural decoration
Good processability: suitable for stamping, welding, bending, etc.

Overview of industries

Food and beverage industry: equipment exposed to acidic liquids or high-temperature vapors, etc.
Medical equipment: surgical instruments, sterilized utensils, etc.
Industrial equipment: electric cabinet hinges, machinery housings, etc.
Building decoration: handrails, curtain wall brackets, etc.

304 stainless steel chemical composition

Ratio of major elements (mass percent)

Element	Content range (mass percent)	Role
Chromium (Cr)	18.0% – 20.0%	Formation of a protective layer of chromium oxide, providing corrosion resistance
Nickel (Ni)	8.0% – 10.5%	Stabilizes austenite structure, enhances ductility, high temperature performance and corrosion resistance
Carbon (C)	≤ 0.08%	Low carbon reduces carbide precipitation and improves weldability (304L: ≤ 0.03%; 304H: ≥ 0.04%)
Manganese (Mn)	≤ 2.0%	Improve strength and work hardening ability
Silicon (Si)	≤ 1.0%	Enhance oxidation resistance and high temperature strength
Phosphorus (P)	≤ 0.045%	Impurity elements, need to be strictly controlled to maintain the toughness of materials
Sulfur (S)	≤ 0.030%	Impurity elements, excess will reduce corrosion resistance and processing performance
Iron (Fe)	balance	as the base metal, constitute the main body of the alloy
Nitrogen (N)	≤ 0.10% (trace)	may be present in small amounts, not the main added elements
Molybdenum (Mo)	Usually not present	Molybdenum-containing version is 316 stainless steel (higher corrosion resistance)

Characteristics of molybdenum-free

Weaker resistance to chloride corrosion than 316 stainless steel
Reduced cost by approximately 20-30%
Better suited to non-marine environments

Effect of composition on properties

High chromium content: creates a dense chromium oxide layer on the surface, preventing further corrosion.
Nickel: ensures that the material remains tough at low temperatures (can withstand -196°C)
Low carbon design: reduces the risk of intergranular corrosion after welding

Mechanical properties of 304 stainless steel

Performance indicators

Indicator	Typical values (annealed condition)	Remarks
Tensile Strength	515 – 620 MPa	High strength balanced with good plasticity, suitable for structural components.
Yield Strength	205 – 310 MPa	Yield strength at 0.2% residual deformation, which can be significantly increased after cold working (e.g. ≥1000 MPa after cold rolling).
Elongation	≥ 40% (50 mm)	High ductility, suitable for deep drawing, bending and other processing.
Hardness	Brinell (HB): ~201	Low hardness in annealed condition, hardness increases after cold working (e.g. HRB 90 annealed condition, HRB 200+ after cold rolling).
Impact toughness (Impact)	at room temperature ≥ 100 J (Charpy impact test)	austenitic structure provides good toughness, low-temperature performance is better than ferritic stainless steel (but lower than duplex steel).
Modulus of elasticity (Modulus)	193 – 200 GPa	Similar to other austenitic stainless steels.

Mechanical Advantages

High ductility: suitable for deep-drawing molding processes (e.g., for making pots and pans)
Fatigue strength: can withstand more than 10⁶ cyclic loads (suitable for hinges with frequent opening and closing)
Low-temperature toughness: no brittle cracking even at liquid nitrogen temperatures

Physical properties

Properties	Numerical value	Application effect
Density	8.0 g/cm³	approx. 10% lighter than carbon steel, suitable for structural components requiring weight reduction.
Coefficient of thermal expansion	17.2 μm/m-°C (20-100°C)	Expansion gap is required.
Thermal conductivity	16.2 W/m-K	Heat input should be controlled during welding to avoid deformation.
Resistivity	0.73 μΩ-m	Can be used for low-current conductive parts.

304 stainless steel core advantages

Excellent corrosion resistance

According to Outokumpu Stainless Steel Corrosion Handbook data:

Annual corrosion rate <0.01mm at pH 4-9
Resistant to 85% concentration of nitric acid (at room temperature)
No visible rust for 10 years in industrial atmospheres at 60% humidity

Excellent processability

Stamping and forming: up to 2.2 LDR (Limit Depth Ratio)
Welding compatibility: TIG welding without filler material for high strength welds
Surface Finish: Electrolytic polishing to a mirror finish with Ra ≤ 0.1μm.

Hygiene and aesthetics

Surface finish: bacteria adhesion rate is 90% lower than rough surface.
Convenient cleaning: can be cleaned with strong acid and alkali (e.g. sodium hypochlorite disinfectant)

Summary

With its balanced corrosion resistance, ease of processing and controllable cost, 304 stainless steel dominates the industrial hardware sector. As the manufacturing industry’s requirements for material longevity and environmental protection increase, 304 stainless steel will continue to play a key role in the fields of rail transportation, new energy equipment, and intelligent medical care.

FAQs

Q: Can 304 stainless steel be used in marine environment?

A: Long-term exposure to seawater is not recommended. In mild salt spray environment need to be used with surface coating.

Q: What is the difference between 304 and 201 stainless steel?

A: 201 with manganese to replace part of the nickel, corrosion resistance is worse, the cost is about 40% lower.

Q：How to judge the real 304 stainless steel?

A: The professional method is to test the nickel content with a spectrometer. Simple test: drop copper sulfate solution on the surface, turn red is fake 304.