Stainless Steel 304LN
AISI/SAE 304LN · UNS S30453 · EN 1.4311
304LN is a low-carbon, nitrogen-strengthened 304 (UNS S30453) in which nitrogen raises yield strength without the carbide precipitation that limits welded 304.
Values for the Solution Annealed condition
304LN tempers and conditions
304LN is supplied in 9 conditions, soft to hard. Solution Annealed is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 9 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
mill-annealed cold-rolled sheet/strip (2B, BA) | Standard soft sheet/strip condition for forming, deep drawing and welded fabrication. | 320 | 600 | 52 | 165 HB | 2.4 % IACS |
Solution AnnealedDefault 1020–1100 °C, rapid cooled (plate, pipe, bar; AP/2D/2B) | Default condition for pressure-vessel plate, pipe and forgings — maximum corrosion resistance and toughness with code-allowable N-strengthened yield. | 330 | 620 | 50 | 170 HB | — |
1/16 Hard | Lightly temper-rolled 304LN sheet/strip (ASTM A666 class) — small strength gain over annealed while keeping near-full ductility and formability. | 380 | 640 | 45 | 190 HB | 2.3 % IACS |
1/8 Hard | Lightly cold-rolled 304LN strip one step above 1/16 hard — modestly higher yield strength and springback with still-good bending and drawing behaviour. | 450 | 700 | 38 | 210 HB | 2.3 % IACS |
Cold drawn | Pick for bar and tube needing tighter tolerance, better surface and ~40 % higher proof strength than annealed. | 550 | 780 | 25 | 22 HRC | — |
Quarter hard | Use for lightly formed springy sheet parts and structural strip needing ~500 MPa proof strength. | 550 | 880 | 12 | 25 HRC | 2.4 % IACS |
Half hard | High-strength strip for clamps, straps and lightly bent structural parts; limited ductility. | 790 | 1,060 | 8 | 32 HRC | 2.3 % IACS |
Three-quarter hard | Near-spring temper strip where only flat or very gentle forming is required. | 960 | 1,230 | 5 | 37 HRC | 2.3 % IACS |
Full hard | Maximum cold-worked strength for flat springs, shims and wear strip; essentially no formability. | 1,000 | 1,300 | 4 | 40 HRC | 2.2 % IACS |
Supply forms, finishes and certifications
Ways 304LN is supplied — form, process route, surface or paperwork — without a datasheet of their own. The property values above apply.
| Option | What it is | Type |
|---|---|---|
HRAP | Hot rolled, solution annealed and pickled plate | Surface finish |
What is 304LN?
304LN is a low-carbon, nitrogen-strengthened 304 (UNS S30453) in which nitrogen raises yield strength without the carbide precipitation that limits welded 304. Annealed material gives 330 MPa yield, 620 MPa tensile, 50 % elongation and 170 HB (85 HRB), and it is stocked as sheet, plate and bar from annealed and solution annealed through 1/16H, 1/8H, 1/4H, 1/2H, 3/4H to full hard. Weldability is high (score 88) with no post-weld anneal required, and toughness is retained at cryogenic temperature, but service is capped at 400 °C and corrosion resistance (65) is 304-level; 316LN is the alternative where chlorides are present. 304LN 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). 304LN has a yield strength of 330 MPa (47.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 620 MPa (89.9 ksi) — weaker than 57% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 50% and the elastic modulus is 196 GPa (28.4 Msi).
What is 304LN used for?
- Welded cryogenic vessels
- LNG pipework
- Liquid nitrogen and oxygen storage tanks
- Cryogenic valve bodies
- Chemical process piping
- Welded structural stainless frames
- Pressure vessel heads and shells
Advantages
- Readily welded — 88/100, better than 91% 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
- Forms and bends easily — 75/100, 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
- Limited service temperature — 400°C (752 °F), worse than 78% of stainless steel grades
304LN properties
Typical room-temperature values for 304LN-Solution Annealed; bars are the position among stainless steel grades.
Physical3
304LN 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
304LN has a yield strength of 330 MPa (47.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 620 MPa (89.9 ksi) — weaker than 57% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 50% and the elastic modulus is 196 GPa (28.4 Msi).
Thermal6
304LN is rated for continuous service to 400°C (752 °F). It conducts heat at 15 W/m·K (8.67 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 59% of stainless steel grades. Thermal expansion is 16 µm/m·K (8.89 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
304LN 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 304LN takes about 55 MJ of energy and emits 5 kg of CO₂ — more than 50% of stainless steel grades. Typical recycled content is 70%.
Manufacturability7
304LN's machinability is fair (38/100, better than 63% of stainless steel grades); weldability excellent (88/100); formability very good (75/100).
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. 304LN is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with 304LN
Is 304LN easy to machine?
Work-hardens fast and is slightly harder to cut than 304L because of the nitrogen — use rigid setups, sharp coated carbide, positive rake, heavy constant feed, no dwelling, and flood coolant.
Can 304LN be welded?
Excellent with GTAW/GMAW/SMAW using 308L/308LSi (or 316L) filler; low carbon means no post-weld anneal, but keep heat input moderate and interpass low to limit distortion and δ-ferrite loss.
Can 304LN be formed, bent or molded?
Very good deep-draw and bend behaviour in the annealed condition, though springback and press loads are higher than 304L; anneal 1020–1080 °C + rapid cool to restore ductility after heavy cold work.
Manufacturability
The process limits FabDigit applies to 304LN. Every 304LN part is priced by an engineer; design inside these and the quote comes back without a redesign loop.
CNC machining
| Machinability | Fair38 / 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 | Excellent75 / 100 |
|---|---|
| Weldability | Excellent88 / 100 |
| Bendable | Yes |
304LN 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 weld sensitisation | ≤ 0.03 | 0.02 |
| Si≤1.00 in EN 10088-2 | ≤ 0.75 | 0.5 |
| Mn | ≤ 2 | 1.5 |
| P | ≤ 0.05 | 0.03 |
| S≤0.015 in EN 10088-2 | ≤ 0.03 | 0.01 |
| CrEN 1.4311: 17.5–19.5 | 18 – 20 | 18.5 |
| NiEN 1.4311: 8.5–11.5 | 8 – 12 | 9.5 |
| Nstrengthening addition; EN 1.4311: 0.12–0.22 | 0.1 – 0.16 | 0.14 |
| Fe | balance |
What surface finishes work on 304LN?
Not anodised — passivate per ASTM A967 or electropolish after pickling; takes bright 2B/BA/No.4/No.8 mill and mechanical finishes well.
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 304LN in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- UNS
- S30453
- EN / DIN / Werkstoff-Nr.
- 1.4311
How much does 304LN cost?
304LN is a premium-cost stainless steel ($$$), cheaper than about 51% 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.
304LN — frequently asked
What is 304LN used for?
304LN is typically used for welded cryogenic vessels, LNG pipework, liquid nitrogen and oxygen storage tanks, cryogenic valve bodies, chemical process piping and welded structural stainless frames. In short: low-carbon nitrogen 304.
What is the yield strength of 304LN?
304LN has a typical yield strength of 330 MPa (47.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 620 MPa (89.9 ksi) — weaker than 57% of stainless steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 9 listed tempers.
Is 304LN easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated fair (38/100, better than 63% of stainless steel grades). Work-hardens fast and is slightly harder to cut than 304L because of the nitrogen — use rigid setups, sharp coated carbide, positive rake, heavy constant feed, no dwelling, and flood coolant.
Can 304LN be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated excellent (88/100). Excellent with GTAW/GMAW/SMAW using 308L/308LSi (or 316L) filler; low carbon means no post-weld anneal, but keep heat input moderate and interpass low to limit distortion and δ-ferrite loss.
What surface finishes work on 304LN?
Not anodised — passivate per ASTM A967 or electropolish after pickling; takes bright 2B/BA/No.4/No.8 mill and mechanical finishes well.
Can 304LN be formed, bent or molded?
Very good deep-draw and bend behaviour in the annealed condition, though springback and press loads are higher than 304L; anneal 1020–1080 °C + rapid cool to restore ductility after heavy cold work.
What is the maximum service temperature of 304LN?
304LN is rated for continuous use to about 400°C (752 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between 304LN Solution Annealed and 304LN-FH?
Solution Annealed is the default condition — default condition for pressure-vessel plate, pipe and forgings — maximum corrosion resistance and toughness with code-allowable N-strengthened yield. FH: maximum cold-worked strength for flat springs, shims and wear strip; essentially no formability. Yield strength is 330 MPa in Solution Annealed versus 1,000 MPa in FH.
How much does 304LN cost?
304LN is a premium-cost stainless steel ($$$), cheaper than about 51% 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 304LN?
Yes — 304LN 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 (S30453 plate, sheet, strip) — ASTM International (2023)
- ASTM A312/A312M & A213 (TP304LN pipe/tube) — ASTM International (2022)
- ASTM A666 (cold-worked austenitic sheet/strip tempers) — ASTM International (2015)
- EN 10088-1 / EN 10088-2 (X2CrNiN18-10, 1.4311) — CEN (2014)
- GB/T 24511 / GB/T 1220 (022Cr19Ni10N) — SAC (2017)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Handbook Vol.13B — Corrosion: Materials — ASM International (2005)
- Outokumpu Steel Grades / Supra 304L-4311 data — Outokumpu (2023)
- ASME BPVC Section II Part D allowable stresses, S30453 — ASME (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.