Stainless Steel 304L
AISI/SAE 304L · UNS S30403 · EN 1.4307, X2CrNi18-9 · JIS SUS304L · GB 00Cr19Ni10, 022Cr19Ni10
304L is the low-carbon (≤0.030 % C) version of 304 austenitic Cr-Ni stainless steel, supplied as sheet, plate, bar, tube and wire in the solution-annealed condition.
Values for the Annealed condition
304L tempers and conditions
304L is supplied in 10 conditions, soft to hard. Annealed is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 10 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Finish State | Hot rolled / hot finished 304L bar, plate or section (HRAP or hot-finished + solution annealed), soft austenitic condition with near-annealed strength and full ductility. | 240 | 540 | 55 | 150 HB | 2.4 % IACS |
AnnealedDefault solution annealed (1010–1120 °C, rapid cool), mill finish 2B/No.1/HRAP | Default stocked condition for plate, sheet, tube and bar; maximum ductility, formability and corrosion resistance. | 275 | 585 | 55 | 150 HB | — |
Cold rolled strip, ASTM A666 temper | Lightest A666 temper: slight strength gain while retaining near-annealed formability and low magnetic permeability. | 350 | 660 | 40 | 180 HB | 2.4 % IACS |
cold-rolled/skin-passed sheet & strip, lightly cold worked | Pick for flat, tight-tolerance sheet with a bright 2B/BA surface and modestly higher yield strength than annealed plate. | 380 | 660 | 40 | 12 HRC | 2.4 % IACS |
Cold rolled strip, ASTM A666 temper | Use where mild bending is still required but annealed sheet is too soft/dent-prone. | 430 | 730 | 32 | 205 HB | 2.4 % IACS |
cold-finished (drawn/turned-ground-polished) bar and wire | Standard condition for shafting and machined parts: higher yield strength, straightness and a smooth surface, with better chip control than annealed bar. | 500 | 700 | 30 | 215 HB | — |
Quarter hard | Structural/spring-like sheet for brackets and panels where roll forming replaces deep drawing. | 620 | 870 | 18 | 27 HRC | 2.4 % IACS |
Half hard | High-strength thin sheet for clamps, shims and lightweight structures; only gentle large-radius bends. | 800 | 1,050 | 12 | 33 HRC | 2.4 % IACS |
Three-quarter hard | Near-maximum cold-worked strength for flat springs and straps; forming limited to shallow flanges. | 980 | 1,250 | 5 | 37 HRC | 2.4 % IACS |
cold rolled strip, ASTM A666 temper (Rp0.2 ≥965 MPa, Rm ≥1275 MPa) | Maximum as-rolled strength/hardness for spring washers, blades and wear strips; essentially no cold forming. | 1,030 | 1,320 | 4 | 40 HRC | 2.4 % IACS |
Supply forms, finishes and certifications
Ways 304L is supplied — form, process route, surface or paperwork — without a datasheet of their own. The property values above apply.
| Option | What it is | Type |
|---|---|---|
304/304L Dual | Dual certified 304/304L | Certification |
What is 304L?
304L is the low-carbon (≤0.030 % C) version of 304 austenitic Cr-Ni stainless steel, supplied as sheet, plate, bar, tube and wire in the solution-annealed condition. The reduced carbon suppresses grain-boundary chromium-carbide precipitation, so welded and heavy-section parts stay corrosion-resistant without post-weld annealing, at the cost of roughly 10–15 % lower room-temperature strength than 304. It is not suitable for chloride-rich or strongly reducing media (pitting/stress-corrosion risk), and creep strength limits pressure service to about 425 °C. 304L 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). 304L has a yield strength of 275 MPa (39.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 585 MPa (84.8 ksi) — weaker than 77% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 55% and the elastic modulus is 195 GPa (28.3 Msi).
What is 304L used for?
- Welded food and beverage tanks
- Chemical process piping
- Sanitary fittings and valve bodies
- Pharmaceutical vessels
- Heat exchanger shells
- Sheet metal enclosures and panels
- Architectural cladding
Advantages
- Readily welded — 92/100, better than 98% of stainless steel grades
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 55%, better than 97% of stainless steel grades
- Tough — resists crack growth — 220 MPa·√m (200.2 ksi·√in), better than 97% of stainless steel grades
- Forms and bends easily — 88/100, better than 97% of stainless steel grades
- Polishes to a fine finish — 80/100, better than 89% of stainless steel grades
Limitations
- Low strength — 275 MPa (39.9 ksi), worse than 77% of stainless steel grades
304L properties
Typical room-temperature values for 304L-Annealed; bars are the position among stainless steel grades.
Physical3
304L 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
304L has a yield strength of 275 MPa (39.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 585 MPa (84.8 ksi) — weaker than 77% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 55% and the elastic modulus is 195 GPa (28.3 Msi).
Thermal6
304L is rated for continuous service to 425°C (797 °F). It conducts heat at 15.5 W/m·K (8.96 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 53% of stainless steel grades. Thermal expansion is 16.5 µm/m·K (9.17 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
304L conducts electricity at 2.4 % IACS, better than 67% of stainless steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is good (65/100), better than 56% of stainless steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 304L takes about 55 MJ of energy and emits 5.2 kg of CO₂ — more than 50% of stainless steel grades. Typical recycled content is 65%.
Manufacturability8
304L's machinability is fair (40/100, better than 72% of stainless steel grades); weldability excellent (92/100); formability excellent (88/100).
Common Calculations5
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Strength versus weight in the stainless steel family
Yield strength against density for every stainless steel grade FabDigit runs. 304L is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with 304L
Is 304L easy to machine?
Gummy and rapidly work-hardening: use rigid setups, positive-rake sharp carbide, 20–35 % lower speed than 1212 steel, heavy feed to cut under the hardened layer, and flood coolant.
Can 304L be welded?
Excellent by GTAW/GMAW/SMAW/laser with 308L or 316L filler; low carbon avoids sensitization so no post-weld anneal is needed, but keep heat input low and back-purge to limit distortion and oxide.
Can 304L be formed, bent or molded?
Very ductile — deep drawing, spinning and roll forming are routine; expect high springback and ~50 % more press force than mild steel, and inter-anneal at 1010–1100 °C for severe multi-stage draws.
Manufacturability
The process limits FabDigit's quote engine applies to 304L. Design inside these and the part quotes instantly; outside them it routes to an engineer.
CNC machining
| Machinability | Fair40 / 100 |
|---|---|
| ISO material group | M.1 |
| Cutting speed (rough / finish) | 150 / 180 m/min |
| Minimum wall | 0.8 mm |
| Minimum internal radius | 1.5 mm |
| Drill depth limit | 4× diameter |
| Best surface (machined / polished) | Ra 1.6 / — |
| Hardenable after machining | No |
Sheet metal
| Formability | Better88 / 100 |
|---|---|
| Weldability | Better92 / 100 |
| Bendable | Yes |
| Minimum bend radius | 1× thickness |
| Spring-back | High |
| Welding processes | TIG, MIG, SPOT, SEAM, LASER |
304L 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 |
|---|---|---|
| C≤0.035 % permitted for some EN 1.4307 product forms | ≤ 0.03 | 0.02 |
| Si≤1.00 % in ASTM A276/A479 bar | ≤ 0.75 | 0.45 |
| Mn | ≤ 2 | 1.4 |
| P | ≤ 0.05 | 0.03 |
| S | ≤ 0.03 | 0.01 |
| CrEN 1.4307: 17.5–19.5 | 18 – 20 | 18.5 |
| NiEN 1.4307: 8.0–10.5 | 8 – 12 | 9 |
| N | ≤ 0.1 | 0.05 |
| Fe | balance |
What surface finishes work on 304L?
Mill 2B/BA or mechanically polished No.4/No.8; passivate per ASTM A967 or electropolish after machining/welding; no anodizing — use PVD or paint for colour.
Surface treatments FabDigit runs on stainless steel parts — pick them in the quote configurator or call them out on the drawing. Each links to its datasheet in the surface-finish library (thickness, specs, call-out, material verdicts).
Plating
Organic Coating
CVD Coating
Black / Phosphate
Thermal Spray
Equivalent designations
Standards and trade names that resolve to Stainless Steel 304L in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
How much does 304L cost?
304L is a premium-cost stainless steel ($$$), cheaper than about 60% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
304L — frequently asked
What is 304L used for?
304L is typically used for welded food and beverage tanks, chemical process piping, sanitary fittings and valve bodies, pharmaceutical vessels, heat exchanger shells and sheet metal enclosures and panels. In short: weldable standard stainless.
What is the yield strength of 304L?
304L has a typical yield strength of 275 MPa (39.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 585 MPa (84.8 ksi) — weaker than 77% of stainless steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 10 listed tempers.
Is 304L easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated fair (40/100, better than 72% of stainless steel grades). Gummy and rapidly work-hardening: use rigid setups, positive-rake sharp carbide, 20–35 % lower speed than 1212 steel, heavy feed to cut under the hardened layer, and flood coolant.
Can 304L be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated excellent (92/100). Excellent by GTAW/GMAW/SMAW/laser with 308L or 316L filler; low carbon avoids sensitization so no post-weld anneal is needed, but keep heat input low and back-purge to limit distortion and oxide.
What surface finishes work on 304L?
Mill 2B/BA or mechanically polished No.4/No.8; passivate per ASTM A967 or electropolish after machining/welding; no anodizing — use PVD or paint for colour.
Can 304L be formed, bent or molded?
Very ductile — deep drawing, spinning and roll forming are routine; expect high springback and ~50 % more press force than mild steel, and inter-anneal at 1010–1100 °C for severe multi-stage draws.
What is the maximum service temperature of 304L?
304L is rated for continuous use to about 425°C (797 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
How much does 304L cost?
304L is a premium-cost stainless steel ($$$), cheaper than about 60% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
Can FabDigit make parts in 304L?
Yes — 304L 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 — ASTM International (2023)
- ASTM A666 — Annealed or Cold-Worked Austenitic Stainless Steel Sheet, Strip, Plate, and Flat Bar — ASTM International (2015)
- ASTM A276/A479 — Stainless Steel Bars and Shapes — ASTM International (2022)
- EN 10088-1/-2/-3 (1.4307, X2CrNi18-9) — CEN (2014)
- GB/T 20878 / GB/T 3280 (022Cr19Ni10) — SAC (2015)
- ASM Specialty Handbook: Stainless Steels — ASM International (1994)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1 & Vol.19 (Properties; Fatigue and Fracture) — ASM International (1996)
- Outokumpu Core 304L/4307 datasheet & Corrosion Handbook — Outokumpu (2023)
- Sandvik/Alleima 3R12 (304L) technical data — Alleima (2023)
Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison; hardness values on non-Brinell scales are converted approximately for charting only. Manufacturability limits are FabDigit quote-engine defaults and may be relaxed by engineering review. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.