Stainless Steel 2304 · supply condition
Stainless Steel 2304 Cold Drawn
Properties of the Cold Drawn condition, compared with the other 2304 tempers.
Choose for higher-strength small-diameter bar, shafting and fasteners where extra yield strength and tight tolerance are needed.
What is 2304 Cold Drawn?
2304 Cold Drawn is 2304 supplied in the Cold Drawn condition — choose for higher-strength small-diameter bar, shafting and fasteners where extra yield strength and tight tolerance are needed. 2304 Cold Drawn has a yield strength of 650 MPa (94.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 850 MPa (123 ksi) — stronger than 90% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 20% and the elastic modulus is 200 GPa (29 Msi). 2304 Cold Drawn has a density of 7.75 g/cm³ (0.28 lb/in³), lighter than 66% of stainless steel grades. It melts at 1,385°C (2,525 °F). Solution Annealed is the default condition FabDigit quotes; Cold Drawn is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- High strength — 650 MPa (94.3 ksi), better than 90% of stainless steel grades
- 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
- Limited ductility — 20%, worse than 79% of stainless steel grades
2304 Cold Drawn properties
Typical room-temperature values for 2304 Cold Drawn — 9 properties are specific to this condition; the rest are grade-level values shared by every 2304 temper. Each bar shows where the value sits among the stainless steel grades in FabDigit's library — further right is higher.
Physical3
2304 Cold Drawn has a density of 7.75 g/cm³ (0.28 lb/in³), lighter than 66% of stainless steel grades. It melts at 1,385°C (2,525 °F).
Mechanical17
2304 Cold Drawn has a yield strength of 650 MPa (94.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 850 MPa (123 ksi) — stronger than 90% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 20% and the elastic modulus is 200 GPa (29 Msi).
Thermal6
2304 Cold Drawn 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 Cold Drawn 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 Cold Drawn 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 Cold Drawn's machinability is fair (38/100, better than 63% of stainless steel grades); weldability very good (72/100); formability fair (35/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Other 2304 tempers and conditions
2304 is also supplied in 6 other conditions. The full side-by-side table is on the 2304 overview.
- Solution AnnealedDefaultStandard as-delivered condition for all product forms; balanced 50/50 ferrite-austenite with best corrosion and toughness.460 MPa yield · 22 HRC
- Cold DrawnChoose for higher-strength small-diameter bar, shafting and fasteners where extra yield strength and tight tolerance are needed.650 MPa yield · 29 HRC
Working with 2304 Cold Drawn
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 Cold Drawn — frequently asked
What is 2304 Cold Drawn used for?
2304 Cold Drawn is typically used for storage tanks, bridges and architectural cladding. In short: mid-range duplex stainless.
What is the yield strength of 2304 Cold Drawn?
2304 Cold Drawn has a typical yield strength of 650 MPa (94.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 850 MPa (123 ksi) — stronger than 90% of stainless steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 7 listed tempers.
Is 2304 Cold Drawn easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated fair (38/100, better than 63% 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 Cold Drawn 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 Cold Drawn?
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 Cold Drawn 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 Cold Drawn?
2304 Cold Drawn 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 Cold Drawn?
Yes — 2304 Cold Drawn is available for CNC machining and sheet metal with instant online pricing. 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.