Stainless Steel 2304 · heat-treated state · default condition
Stainless Steel 2304 Solution Annealed
Properties of the Solution Annealed condition, compared with the other 2304 tempers.
Standard as-delivered condition for all product forms; balanced 50/50 ferrite-austenite with best corrosion and toughness.
What is 2304 Solution Annealed?
2304 Solution Annealed is 2304 heat treated to Solution Annealed — standard as-delivered condition for all product forms; balanced 50/50 ferrite-austenite with best corrosion and toughness. 2304 Solution Annealed has a yield strength of 460 MPa (66.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 680 MPa (98.6 ksi) — stronger than 73% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 30% and the elastic modulus is 200 GPa (29 Msi). 2304 Solution Annealed 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).
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 Solution Annealed properties
Typical room-temperature values for 2304 Solution Annealed — 11 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 Solution Annealed 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 Solution Annealed has a yield strength of 460 MPa (66.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 680 MPa (98.6 ksi) — stronger than 73% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 30% and the elastic modulus is 200 GPa (29 Msi).
Thermal6
2304 Solution 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 Solution 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 Solution 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 Solution Annealed's machinability is fair (35/100, better than 51% of stainless steel grades); weldability very good (72/100); formability good (55/100).
Common Calculations5
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 Solution 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 Solution Annealed — frequently asked
What is 2304 Solution Annealed used for?
2304 Solution Annealed is typically used for storage tanks, bridges and architectural cladding. In short: mid-range duplex stainless.
What is the yield strength of 2304 Solution Annealed?
2304 Solution Annealed has a typical yield strength of 460 MPa (66.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 680 MPa (98.6 ksi) — stronger than 73% of stainless steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 7 listed tempers.
Is 2304 Solution 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 Solution 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 Solution 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 Solution 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 Solution Annealed?
2304 Solution 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 Solution Annealed?
Yes — 2304 Solution Annealed 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.