CS 304 / 304L Technical Data

Grade 304 stainless steel is the most versatile and the most widely used of all stainless steels. Its chemical composition, mechanical properties, weldability and ncorrosion/oxidation resistance provide the best all-round performance stainless steel at relatively low cost. It also has excellent low temperature properties and responds well to hardening by cold working. If intergranular corrosion in the heat affected zone may occur, it is suggested that CS 304L be used.

Typical Applications

CS 304 is used in all industrial, commercial and domestic fields because of its good corrosion and heat resisting properties. Some applications include:

• Tanks and containers for a large variety of liquids and solids.
• Process equipment in the mining, chemical, cryogenic, food, dairy and pharmaceutical industries.

Chemical Composition (ASTM A240)

Typical Properties in the Annealed Condition
The properties quoted in this publication are typical of mill production and unless indicated should not be regarded as guaranteed minimum values for specification purposes.

1. Mechanical Properties at Room Temperature

2. Properties at elevated temperatures
All these values refer to grade 304 only.
Grade 304L values are not given because its strength decreases markedly above 425^oC.

Time Elevated Temperature Tensile Strength

Creep data Stress for a creep rate of 1% in 10 000 h.

Maximum Recommended Service Temperature
(Oxidising Conditions)

Continuous Service 925^oC
Intermittent Service 850^oC

3. Properties at Sub-Zero Temperatures
( SX 304 / 304L )

4. Corrosion Resistance

Aqueous
As a rough guide the following examples are given for certain pure acid-water mixtures:

Key: 0 = resistant - corrosion rate less than 100 mm/year
1 = partly resistant - corrosion rate 100m to 1000 mm/year
2 = non resistant - corrosion rate more than 1000 mm/year

4.2 Atmospheric

The performance of SX 304 compared with other metals in various environments is shown in the following table. The corrosion rates are based on a 10 year exposure.

Thermal Processing

1. Annealing.Heat from 1010^oC to 1120^oC and cool rapidly in air or water.The best corrosion resistance is obtained when the final annealing is above 1070^oC and cooling is rapid.

2. Stress relieving.CS 304L can be stress relieved at 450-600^oC for one hour with little danger of sensitisation. A lower stress relieving temperature of 400^oC maximum must be used.

3. Hot working
Initial forging and pressing: 1150to 1260^oC
Finishing temperature: 900 to 925^oC

All hotworking operations should be followed by annealing.

Note: Soaking times to ensure uniformity of temperature are longer for stainless steels than for carbon steels - approximately 12times.

Cold Working

CS 304 / 304L being extremely tough and ductile, are readily fabricated by old working.Typical operations include bending, forming, deep drawing and upsetting.