304 304L and 304H Stainless Steel Sheet
Grade 304 is the standard 18/8 austenitic stainless steel and the most widely used stainless grade, available in the widest range of products, forms and finishes. 304L is the low carbon version, which does not require…
What This Product Is For
Grade 304 is the standard 18/8 austenitic stainless steel and the most widely used stainless grade, available in the widest range of products, forms and finishes. 304L is the low carbon version, which does not require post weld annealing and is used extensively in heavy gauge components of about 5 mm and over. 304H carries higher carbon and is used at elevated temperature.
Key Benefits
- Excellent forming and welding characteristics, which keeps fabrication cost down
- 304L removes the need for post weld annealing on heavy gauge work
- 304H covers elevated temperature service without changing to a different alloy family
- Austenitic structure keeps excellent toughness down to cryogenic temperatures
- Can be severely deep drawn, so one grade covers pressing and vessel work
Who It Is For
- Fabricators building welded stainless tanks and structures
- Press shops deep drawing stainless components
- Equipment manufacturers who need one grade across many forms
- Distributors stocking 304 sheet across finishes
Problems It Solves
- Weld decay when standard carbon 304 is welded in heavy section and cannot be annealed
- Cracking during deep drawing when the wrong grade or temper is used
- Loss of toughness at low temperature in other steel families
- Finish availability gaps between No.1 and mirror
Application Scenarios
- Tanks, hoppers and process vessels in food and beverage plants
- Deep drawn pressings such as sinks and enclosures
- Heavy gauge welded structures above 5 mm where post weld annealing is not practical
- Cryogenic and cold service equipment
Specifications
Every value below is taken from the published product data. Where a figure is not published it is left out rather than estimated.
| Grade | 304, 304L, 304H |
|---|---|
| Width | 500 to 2000 mm |
| Length | 1000 to 12000 mm |
| Cold Rolled Thickness | 0.3 to 3 mm |
| Hot Rolled Thickness | 3 to 120 mm |
| Surface Finish | No.1, No.4, 2B, BA, HL, No.8, satin finish |
| Minimum Order | 1 ton per specification |
| Lead Time | 7 days after receipt of the deposit |
| Shipment | LCL, FCL, bulk |
| Loading Port | Shanghai |
| Origin | China |
Technical Features
- Standard 18/8 austenitic composition
- 304L is the low carbon version and does not require post weld annealing
- 304H carries higher carbon for elevated temperature service
- Excellent toughness down to cryogenic temperatures
- Suitable for severe deep drawing
Materials
- 304, 304L and 304H austenitic stainless steel
Manufacturing Process
- Hot rolling
- Cold rolling
- Annealing and pickling
- Polishing
Quality Control
- Carbon level confirmed to separate 304, 304L and 304H
- Thickness measured across the width against the ordered range
- Surface finish checked against the ordered condition
- Weight and piece count verified against the 1 ton minimum per specification
Customisation Options
- 304, 304L or 304H selected by carbon requirement
- Seven surface finishes from No.1 to mirror
- Width and length cut within the standard ranges
Use Guide
- Use 304L for welded work above about 5 mm so post weld annealing can be skipped
- Use 304H only where the service temperature justifies the higher carbon
- Plan deep drawing with interstage annealing, since 304 work hardens as it is drawn
- Order in multiples of the 1 ton per specification minimum
How It Compares With the Alternatives
| 316L stainless sheet | 316L adds molybdenum for chloride pitting resistance, while 304 is the more versatile and lower cost general purpose grade |
|---|---|
| 304L | 304L is the low carbon version and does not require post weld annealing, which is why it is used in heavy gauge components of about 5 mm and over |
| 304H | 304H has higher carbon and finds application at elevated temperatures where standard 304 would creep |
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304 304L and 304H Stainless Steel Sheet Questions
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