Stainless steel SUS 304/304L is the standard stainless steel that is commonly used and introduced in the different types of products, forms and finishes. The balanced austenitic structure of steel 304 enables it to be fully deep drawn without intermediate annealing that has made this alloy a prominent material in the production of drawn stainless parts such as sinks, hollow ware and saucepans. For these applications, it is common to use special grade variants.

SUS 304/304L is brake or roll produced in the different parts for applications in the commercial, architectural and transportation fields. The steel 304 offers excellent welding features, the post welding is not necessary while welding thin regions.

The grade 304L, the low carbon version of 304, does not need post weld annealing and it is broadly used in the heavy gauge parts. Steel 304H with its higher concentration of carbon is useful in the elevated temperatures. The austenitic structure provides superior toughness even at temperatures lower than cryogenic limits.

Chemical Composition

Mechanical Properties

Physical Properties

Grade Specification Comparison

Possible Alternative Grades

Corrosion Resistance

SUS 304 offers outstanding resistance in the various natural conditions and corrosive conditions. It performs well in the pitting and crevice corrosion conditions in the hot chlorides and stress corrosion cracking up to 60oC. It offers resistance to potable water about 200mg/L chlorides at ambient temperatures, decreasing to 150 mg/L at 60oC.

Heat Resistance

Outstanding oxidation resistance in the intermittent service up to 870oC and in regular services to 925oC. The regular use of SUS 304L in the 425oC to 860oC is not preferred if immediate aqueous corrosion resistance is required. Stainless steel 304L offers excellent resistance to carbide precipitation and can be heated at higher temperatures.