Stainless Steel 304 vs 304LN
Stainless Steel · grade comparison
Stainless Steel 304 and 304LN are both stainless steel grades. 304LN is the stronger of the two: yield strength 330 MPa (47.9 ksi) against 250 MPa (36.3 ksi) for 304, about 32% more; tensile strength follows at 620 MPa (89.9 ksi) vs 585 MPa (84.8 ksi). 304LN is harder — 170 HB against 150 HB for 304 — which matters for wear surfaces and threads. 304 runs hotter in service (870°C vs 400°C continuous). On the shop floor, 304 forms better (excellent vs very good) and 304 sits in a lower cost tier (standard, $$) than 304LN (premium, $$$).
304Choose it when the part sees heat, or when cost is the deciding factor.
304LNChoose it when strength drives the design, or when surface hardness matters.
304 vs 304LN: propertiesHow to read these bars
- One bar per material. A full bar is the highest value among all stainless steel grades in the FabDigit library; each bar is drawn as a share of that.
- The better value (by the usual engineering direction) is in bold. Rows with no direction — density, thermal conductivity — have no bold.
- Values are typical room-temperature figures for the condition named on each card.
- Confirm against the certified mill or resin datasheet before design release.
How to read these bars
- One bar per material. A full bar is the highest value among all stainless steel grades in the FabDigit library; each bar is drawn as a share of that.
- The better value (by the usual engineering direction) is in bold. Rows with no direction — density, thermal conductivity — have no bold.
- Values are typical room-temperature figures for the condition named on each card.
- Confirm against the certified mill or resin datasheet before design release.
Mechanical
Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.
Elastic (Young's) Modulus
Bulk Modulus
Poisson's Ratio
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)
Elongation at Break
Compressive Strength
Shear Strength
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)
Hardness, Brinell
Hardness, Rockwell B
Hardness, Vickers
Same in both: Shear Modulus 77 GPa11.2 Msi · Reduction in Area 70% · Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit) 250 MPa36.3 ksi
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Density
Same in both: Melting Point (Solidus) 1,400°C2,552 °F · Liquidus Temperature 1,450°C2,642 °F
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Thermal Conductivity
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)
Latent Heat of Fusion
Max Service Temperature (continuous)
Min Service Temperature
Same in both: Specific Heat Capacity 500 J/kg·K0.12 BTU/lb·°F
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Electrical Resistivity
Same in both: Electrical Conductivity 2.4 % IACS
Chemical & Environmental
Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).
Corrosion Resistance
Same in both: Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE) -0.05 V
Manufacturability
FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.
Machinability
Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)
Formability (cold)
Brazeability / Solderability
Polishability
Same in both: Weldability 88 / 100
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Embodied Energy (primary production)
Embodied Carbon (primary production)
Embodied Water
Same in both: Typical Recycled Content 70%
Common Calculations
Ratios derived from the values above.
Specific Strength (UTS / density)
Specific Stiffness (E / density)
Modulus of Resilience
Thermal Diffusivity
Same in both: Thermal Shock Resistance Index 3
Strength versus weight
Yield strength against density for every stainless steel grade in the FabDigit library; the compared grades are highlighted. Up and left is stronger for its weight.
Manufacturing and finishing
| Capability | 304 | 304LN |
|---|---|---|
| Casting & forging | Yes | — |
| Default condition | Annealed | Solution Annealed |
| Relative cost | $$ Standard | $$$ Premium |
| Min. machined wall | 0.8 mm | 0.8 mm |
| Best machined surface | Ra 1.6 µm | Ra 1.6 µm |
Both are offered for CNC machining and Sheet metal. Both take the same 32 finishes: AlCrN, AlTiN, Black Oxide, CVD Al2O3, CVD TiCN, CVD TiN, Cerakote, Chrome Plating, CrN, DLC, Electroless Nickel (EN), Electropolishing and 20 more.
304 vs 304LN — frequently asked
Is 304LN stronger than 304?
Yes. 304LN has a typical yield strength of 330 MPa (47.9 ksi) against 250 MPa (36.3 ksi) for 304 — about 32% more. Tensile strength is 620 MPa (89.9 ksi) vs 585 MPa (84.8 ksi).
Which is cheaper, 304 or 304LN?
304 is the lower-cost material: it sits in the standard tier ($$) while 304LN is premium ($$$). Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
Which is easier to machine, 304 or 304LN?
304, by a small margin. Both rate fair for machinability — 45/100 against 38/100 for 304LN.
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in 304 and 304LN side by side — material, machining time, tolerance and finish in one quote. Certified material data ships with the order on request.
Typical handbook values for the conditions named above, normalised for comparison. Hardness on non-Brinell scales is converted approximately for charting only. Request certified data with your order for design-critical properties.