Stainless Steel 2304 Cold Rolled Annealed
Finish state
UNS S32304 · EN 1.4362, X2CrNiN23-4 · GB 022Cr23Ni4N · also Alloy 2304
Thin sheet and coil for pressed parts, façades and tubing feedstock; slightly higher strength and better surface than plate.
Values for the Cold Rolled Annealed condition
Other 2304 tempers and conditions
2304 is listed in 6 conditions; see the grade overview at 2304.
- Hot Rolled Annealed
- Annealed
- Solution Annealed
- As Welded
- Cold Rolled Annealed
- Cold Drawn
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 |
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 |
Cold Rolled AnnealedThis page 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 Cold Rolled Annealed?
2304 Cold Rolled Annealed is 2304 supplied in the Cold Rolled Annealed condition — thin sheet and coil for pressed parts, façades and tubing feedstock; slightly higher strength and better surface than plate. 2304 Cold Rolled Annealed has a yield strength of 490 MPa (71.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 700 MPa (102 ksi) — stronger than 76% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 29% and the elastic modulus is 200 GPa (29 Msi). 2304 Cold Rolled 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; Cold Rolled Annealed is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Good corrosion resistance — 75/100, better than 79% of stainless steel grades
- Low embodied carbon — 3.8 kg CO₂/kg, better than 77% of stainless steel grades
- High strength — 490 MPa (71.1 ksi), better than 76% of stainless steel grades
Limitations
- Limited service temperature — 300°C (572 °F), worse than 90% of stainless steel grades
2304 Cold Rolled Annealed properties
Typical room-temperature values for 2304 Cold Rolled Annealed; 24 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 Cold Rolled 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 Cold Rolled Annealed has a yield strength of 490 MPa (71.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 700 MPa (102 ksi) — stronger than 76% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 29% and the elastic modulus is 200 GPa (29 Msi).
Thermal6
2304 Cold Rolled 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 Cold Rolled Annealed conducts electricity at 2.2 % IACS, worse than 61% of stainless steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is very good (75/100), better than 79% of stainless steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 2304 Cold Rolled 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 Cold Rolled Annealed's machinability is poor (34/100, worse than 55% 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 Cold Rolled 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 Cold Rolled Annealed — frequently asked
What is 2304 Cold Rolled Annealed used for?
2304 Cold Rolled Annealed is typically used for storage tanks, bridges and architectural cladding. In short: mid-range duplex stainless.
What is the yield strength of 2304 Cold Rolled Annealed?
2304 Cold Rolled Annealed has a typical yield strength of 490 MPa (71.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 700 MPa (102 ksi) — stronger than 76% of stainless steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 6 listed tempers.
Is 2304 Cold Rolled Annealed easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated poor (34/100, worse than 55% 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 Rolled 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 Cold Rolled 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 Cold Rolled 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 Cold Rolled Annealed?
2304 Cold Rolled 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 Cold Rolled Annealed?
Yes — 2304 Cold Rolled 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.