Stainless Steel 304H Forged + SA
Heat-treated state
AISI/SAE 304H · UNS S30409 · EN 1.4948 · GB 07Cr19Ni10
Forged + SA = forged and solution annealed
Flanges, fittings and valve bodies forged then solution annealed for ASME high-temperature piping systems.
Values for the Forged + SA condition
Other 304H tempers and conditions
304H is listed in 4 conditions; see the grade overview at 304H.
- Forged + SA
- Solution Annealed
- Annealed
- Cold Drawn
Compare all 4 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Forged + SAThis page Forged and solution annealed | Flanges, fittings and valve bodies forged then solution annealed for ASME high-temperature piping systems. | 250 | 565 | 50 | 155 HB | 2.4 % IACS |
Solution AnnealedDefault 1040–1120 °C, rapid quench | Standard supply condition for plate, tube and forgings used in ASME high-temperature service; maximum ductility and carbide dissolution. | 260 | 585 | 55 | 150 HB | — |
mill annealed sheet/strip/bar | General mill-annealed condition for sheet, strip and bar where the ASME coarse-grain solution treatment is not separately certified. | 265 | 580 | 53 | 155 HB | 2.4 % IACS |
cold finished bar/tube (annealed + light draw) | Choose for straight, close-tolerance bar or tube where higher yield strength and better surface finish are needed below the sensitization range. | 450 | 690 | 32 | 18 HRC | 2.4 % IACS |
What is 304H Forged + SA?
304H Forged + SA is 304H heat treated to Forged + SA — flanges, fittings and valve bodies forged then solution annealed for ASME high-temperature piping systems. 304H Forged + SA has a yield strength of 250 MPa (36.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 565 MPa (81.9 ksi) — weaker than 91% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 50% and the elastic modulus is 193 GPa (28 Msi). 304H Forged + SA has a density of 7.9 g/cm³ (0.285 lb/in³), heavier than 68% of stainless steel grades. It melts at 1,400°C (2,552 °F). Solution Annealed is the default condition FabDigit quotes; Forged + SA is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Forms and bends easily — 80/100, better than 93% of stainless steel grades
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 50%, better than 90% of stainless steel grades
- Polishes to a fine finish — 80/100, better than 89% of stainless steel grades
- Readily welded — 85/100, better than 87% of stainless steel grades
- Tough — resists crack growth — 200 MPa·√m (182 ksi·√in), better than 86% of stainless steel grades
Limitations
- Low strength — 250 MPa (36.3 ksi), worse than 91% of stainless steel grades
304H Forged + SA properties
Typical room-temperature values for 304H Forged + SA; 22 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are 304H reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among stainless steel grades.
Physical3
304H Forged + SA has a density of 7.9 g/cm³ (0.285 lb/in³), heavier than 68% of stainless steel grades. It melts at 1,400°C (2,552 °F).
Mechanical16
304H Forged + SA has a yield strength of 250 MPa (36.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 565 MPa (81.9 ksi) — weaker than 91% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 50% and the elastic modulus is 193 GPa (28 Msi).
Thermal6
304H Forged + SA is rated for continuous service to 815°C (1,499 °F). It conducts heat at 16.2 W/m·K (9.36 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 64% of stainless steel grades. Thermal expansion is 17.3 µm/m·K (9.61 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
304H Forged + SA conducts electricity at 2.4 % IACS, better than 67% of stainless steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is good (62/100), worse than 52% of stainless steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 304H Forged + SA takes about 53 MJ of energy and emits 4.5 kg of CO₂ — less than 67% of stainless steel grades. Typical recycled content is 65%.
Manufacturability8
304H Forged + SA's machinability is fair (38/100, better than 63% of stainless steel grades); weldability excellent (85/100); formability very good (80/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with 304H Forged + SA
Is 304H easy to machine?
Gummy and work-hardening like 304 — use rigid setups, positive-rake sharp carbide, heavy constant feed and flood coolant; ~45 % of AISI 1212.
Can 304H be welded?
Readily welded by GTAW/GMAW/SMAW with 308H filler to match creep strength; no preheat, keep interpass low, and remember the high carbon means sensitization risk if slow-cooled through 425–870 °C.
Can 304H be formed, bent or molded?
Excellent cold formability (deep drawing, roll forming, bending), but high work-hardening rate demands more power and generous bend radii; hot work at 1150–1200 °C then solution anneal.
What surface finishes work on 304H?
Not anodizable; passivate per ASTM A967, or pickle/electropolish welds — mechanical polishing to No.4/No.8 is straightforward.
304H 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Craised carbon is the defining feature of the H grade | 0.04 – 0.1 | 0.06 |
| Mn | ≤ 2 | 1.5 |
| Si | ≤ 0.75 | 0.5 |
| P | ≤ 0.05 | 0.03 |
| S | ≤ 0.03 | 0.01 |
| Cr | 18 – 20 | 18.5 |
| Ni | 8 – 10.5 | 9 |
| N | ≤ 0.1 | 0.05 |
| Fe | balance | — |
304H Forged + SA — frequently asked
What is 304H Forged + SA used for?
304H Forged + SA is typically used for pressure vessels, welded boiler tubes, superheater and reheater components, high-temperature process piping and flanges, heat exchanger shells and furnace hardware and supports. In short: high-temp 304 plate.
What is the yield strength of 304H Forged + SA?
304H Forged + SA has a typical yield strength of 250 MPa (36.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 565 MPa (81.9 ksi) — weaker than 91% of stainless steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 4 listed tempers.
Is 304H Forged + SA easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated fair (38/100, better than 63% of stainless steel grades). Gummy and work-hardening like 304 — use rigid setups, positive-rake sharp carbide, heavy constant feed and flood coolant; ~45 % of AISI 1212.
Can 304H Forged + SA be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated excellent (85/100). Readily welded by GTAW/GMAW/SMAW with 308H filler to match creep strength; no preheat, keep interpass low, and remember the high carbon means sensitization risk if slow-cooled through 425–870 °C.
What surface finishes work on 304H Forged + SA?
Not anodizable; passivate per ASTM A967, or pickle/electropolish welds — mechanical polishing to No.4/No.8 is straightforward.
Can 304H Forged + SA be formed, bent or molded?
Excellent cold formability (deep drawing, roll forming, bending), but high work-hardening rate demands more power and generous bend radii; hot work at 1150–1200 °C then solution anneal.
What is the maximum service temperature of 304H Forged + SA?
304H Forged + SA is rated for continuous use to about 815°C (1,499 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
Can FabDigit make parts in 304H Forged + SA?
Yes — 304H Forged + SA 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 — ASTM International (2023)
- ASTM A213/A213M — Seamless Ferritic and Austenitic Alloy-Steel Boiler, Superheater and Heat-Exchanger Tubes — ASTM International (2022)
- ASTM A182/A182M — Forged or Rolled Alloy and Stainless Steel Pipe Flanges and Fittings — ASTM International (2022)
- ASME BPVC Section II Part D — Materials, Properties — ASME (2023)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels, and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- Outokumpu Corrosion Handbook / Stainless Steel Datasheets — Outokumpu (2021)
- EN 10028-7 (1.4948 X6CrNi18-10) — CEN (2016)
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.