Stainless Steel 2304 Annealed
Temper
UNS S32304 · EN 1.4362, X2CrNiN23-4 · GB 022Cr23Ni4N · also Alloy 2304
Commercial synonym for the solution-annealed delivery condition; use when the datasheet simply says 'annealed'.
Values for the Annealed condition
Other 2304 tempers and conditions
2304 is listed in 6 conditions; see the grade overview at 2304.
Compare all 6 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
plate (1D) | Standard duplex plate condition for tanks, pressure vessels and structural work above ~5 mm thickness. | 450 | 660 | 31 | 21 HRC | 2.2 % IACS |
AnnealedThis page generic mill-annealed condition per ASTM A240 / EN 10088-2 | Commercial synonym for the solution-annealed delivery condition; use when the datasheet simply says 'annealed'. | 455 | 680 | 30 | 22 HRC | 2.2 % IACS |
Solution AnnealedDefault 950–1050 °C, rapid quench (mill annealed plate/sheet/bar) | Standard as-delivered condition for all product forms; balanced 50/50 ferrite-austenite with best corrosion and toughness. | 460 | 680 | 30 | 22 HRC | — |
autogenous / matched-filler weld metal and HAZ, no post-weld anneal | Represents typical fabricated joint properties; use 2205-type over-alloyed filler (ER2209) to restore austenite balance and corrosion resistance. | 470 | 690 | 22 | 24 HRC | 2.2 % IACS |
sheet/coil (2B / 2D) | Thin sheet and coil for pressed parts, façades and tubing feedstock; slightly higher strength and better surface than plate. | 490 | 700 | 29 | 24 HRC | 2.2 % IACS |
annealed then cold drawn | Choose for higher-strength small-diameter bar, shafting and fasteners where extra yield strength and tight tolerance are needed. | 650 | 850 | 20 | 29 HRC | 2.2 % IACS |
What is 2304 Annealed?
2304 Annealed is 2304 in the Annealed temper — commercial synonym for the solution-annealed delivery condition; use when the datasheet simply says 'annealed'. 2304 Annealed has a yield strength of 455 MPa (66 ksi) and a tensile strength of 680 MPa (98.6 ksi) — stronger than 72% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 30% and the elastic modulus is 200 GPa (29 Msi). 2304 Annealed has a density of 7.75 g/cm³ (0.28 lb/in³), lighter than 65% of stainless steel grades. It melts at 1,385°C (2,525 °F). Solution Annealed is the default condition FabDigit quotes; Annealed is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Good corrosion resistance — 74/100, better than 78% of stainless steel grades
- Low embodied carbon — 3.8 kg CO₂/kg, better than 77% of stainless steel grades
Limitations
- Limited service temperature — 300°C (572 °F), worse than 90% of stainless steel grades
2304 Annealed properties
Typical room-temperature values for 2304 Annealed; 23 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are 2304 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among stainless steel grades.
Physical3
2304 Annealed has a density of 7.75 g/cm³ (0.28 lb/in³), lighter than 65% of stainless steel grades. It melts at 1,385°C (2,525 °F).
Mechanical17
2304 Annealed has a yield strength of 455 MPa (66 ksi) and a tensile strength of 680 MPa (98.6 ksi) — stronger than 72% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 30% and the elastic modulus is 200 GPa (29 Msi).
Thermal6
2304 Annealed is rated for continuous service to 300°C (572 °F). It conducts heat at 16 W/m·K (9.24 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 58% of stainless steel grades. Thermal expansion is 13 µm/m·K (7.22 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
2304 Annealed conducts electricity at 2.2 % IACS, worse than 61% of stainless steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is very good (74/100), better than 78% of stainless steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 2304 Annealed takes about 46 MJ of energy and emits 3.8 kg of CO₂ — less than 88% of stainless steel grades. Typical recycled content is 70%.
Manufacturability8
2304 Annealed's machinability is fair (35/100, better than 51% of stainless steel grades); weldability very good (72/100); formability good (55/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with 2304 Annealed
Is 2304 easy to machine?
Machine like 2205 but ~20% easier: rigid setups, sharp coated carbide, low speed/high feed, generous flood coolant, positive rake, and avoid dwelling to prevent work hardening.
Can 2304 be welded?
Good weldability with GTAW/GMAW/SMAW/SAW using ER2209/E2209 over-alloyed filler or 1.4362 filler with N-bearing shielding gas; keep heat input 0.5–2.0 kJ/mm, interpass <150 °C, no preheat, no post-weld heat treatment.
Can 2304 be formed, bent or molded?
Cold-formable but needs roughly twice the press force and larger bend radii than 304 with significant springback; hot work 950–1150 °C followed by solution anneal and quench.
What surface finishes work on 2304?
Pickle and passivate after welding (paste or bath) to restore the passive film; grinds and polishes to bright finishes, no anodizing; shot-blasting must use iron-free media.
2304 chemical composition (wt %)
Limits by weight percent from the governing specification, written the way the spec states them — a single maximum for impurities, a range for alloying elements, and the base element as balance. Nominal is the typical mid-range value.
| Element | Spec limit (wt %) | Nominal |
|---|---|---|
| Clow carbon to avoid carbide sensitisation | ≤ 0.03 | 0.02 |
| Si | ≤ 1 | 0.5 |
| Mn | ≤ 2.5 | 1.5 |
| P | ≤ 0.04 | 0.03 |
| S | ≤ 0.03 | 0 |
| Cr | 21.5 – 24.5 | 23 |
| Nilean nickel content | 3 – 5.5 | 4.2 |
| Mo | 0.05 – 0.6 | 0.3 |
| Naustenite stabiliser, boosts strength and PREN | 0.05 – 0.2 | 0.12 |
| Cu | 0.05 – 0.6 | 0.3 |
| Fe | balance | — |
2304 Annealed — frequently asked
What is 2304 Annealed used for?
2304 Annealed is typically used for storage tanks, bridges and architectural cladding. In short: mid-range duplex stainless.
What is the yield strength of 2304 Annealed?
2304 Annealed has a typical yield strength of 455 MPa (66 ksi) and a tensile strength of 680 MPa (98.6 ksi) — stronger than 72% of stainless steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 6 listed tempers.
Is 2304 Annealed easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated fair (35/100, better than 51% of stainless steel grades). Machine like 2205 but ~20% easier: rigid setups, sharp coated carbide, low speed/high feed, generous flood coolant, positive rake, and avoid dwelling to prevent work hardening.
Can 2304 Annealed be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated very good (72/100). Good weldability with GTAW/GMAW/SMAW/SAW using ER2209/E2209 over-alloyed filler or 1.4362 filler with N-bearing shielding gas; keep heat input 0.5–2.0 kJ/mm, interpass <150 °C, no preheat, no post-weld heat treatment.
What surface finishes work on 2304 Annealed?
Pickle and passivate after welding (paste or bath) to restore the passive film; grinds and polishes to bright finishes, no anodizing; shot-blasting must use iron-free media.
Can 2304 Annealed be formed, bent or molded?
Cold-formable but needs roughly twice the press force and larger bend radii than 304 with significant springback; hot work 950–1150 °C followed by solution anneal and quench.
What is the maximum service temperature of 2304 Annealed?
2304 Annealed is rated for continuous use to about 300°C (572 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
Can FabDigit make parts in 2304 Annealed?
Yes — 2304 Annealed is available for CNC machining and sheet metal; every part is priced by an engineer rather than instantly. Upload a STEP file to get a price and a DFM check.
Sources
- ASTM A240/A240M — Chromium and Chromium-Nickel Stainless Steel Plate, Sheet, and Strip (UNS S32304) — ASTM International (2023)
- EN 10088-1/-2 — Stainless steels, grade 1.4362 — CEN (2014)
- ASTM A789/A790 — Duplex stainless steel tube and pipe — ASTM International (2021)
- Outokumpu Forta LDX / 1.4362 (2304) data sheet — Outokumpu (2022)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels, and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- Practical Guidelines for the Fabrication of Duplex Stainless Steels — IMOA (2014)
Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.