Stainless Steel 304LN · supply condition
Stainless Steel 304LN 1/2H
Properties of the 1/2H condition, compared with the other 304LN tempers.
High-strength strip for clamps, straps and lightly bent structural parts; limited ductility.
What is 304LN 1/2H?
304LN 1/2H is 304LN supplied in the 1/2H condition — high-strength strip for clamps, straps and lightly bent structural parts; limited ductility. 304LN 1/2H has a yield strength of 790 MPa (115 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,060 MPa (154 ksi) — stronger than 96% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 8% and the elastic modulus is 196 GPa (28.4 Msi). 304LN 1/2H has a density of 7.9 g/cm³ (0.285 lb/in³), heavier than 67% of stainless steel grades. It melts at 1,400°C (2,552 °F). Solution Annealed is the default condition FabDigit quotes; 1/2H is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- High strength — 790 MPa (115 ksi), better than 96% of stainless steel grades
- Readily welded — 88/100, better than 91% of stainless steel grades
- Polishes to a fine finish — 80/100, better than 89% of stainless steel grades
- Tough — resists crack growth — 200 MPa·√m (182 ksi·√in), better than 84% of stainless steel grades
Limitations
- Limited ductility — 8%, worse than 99% of stainless steel grades
- Limited service temperature — 300°C (572 °F), worse than 90% of stainless steel grades
- Limited formability — 28/100, worse than 75% of stainless steel grades
304LN 1/2H properties
Typical room-temperature values for 304LN 1/2H — 8 properties are specific to this condition; the rest are grade-level values shared by every 304LN temper. Each bar shows where the value sits among the stainless steel grades in FabDigit's library — further right is higher.
Physical3
304LN 1/2H has a density of 7.9 g/cm³ (0.285 lb/in³), heavier than 67% of stainless steel grades. It melts at 1,400°C (2,552 °F).
Mechanical16
304LN 1/2H has a yield strength of 790 MPa (115 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,060 MPa (154 ksi) — stronger than 96% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 8% and the elastic modulus is 196 GPa (28.4 Msi).
Thermal6
304LN 1/2H is rated for continuous service to 300°C (572 °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 1/2H conducts electricity at 2.4 % IACS, better than 67% of stainless steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is good (65/100), better than 55% of stainless steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 304LN 1/2H takes about 55 MJ of energy and emits 5 kg of CO₂ — less than 51% of stainless steel grades. Typical recycled content is 70%.
Manufacturability7
304LN 1/2H's machinability is fair (38/100, better than 63% of stainless steel grades); weldability excellent (88/100); formability poor (28/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Other 304LN tempers and conditions
304LN is also supplied in 9 other conditions. The full side-by-side table is on the 304LN overview.
- Solution AnnealedDefaultDefault condition for pressure-vessel plate, pipe and forgings — maximum corrosion resistance and toughness with code-allowable N-strengthened yield.330 MPa yield · 170 HB
- FHMaximum cold-worked strength for flat springs, shims and wear strip; essentially no formability.1,000 MPa yield · 40 HRC
- 1/2HHigh-strength strip for clamps, straps and lightly bent structural parts; limited ductility.790 MPa yield · 32 HRC
- CDPick for bar and tube needing tighter tolerance, better surface and ~40 % higher proof strength than annealed.550 MPa yield · 22 HRC
- 1/4HUse for lightly formed springy sheet parts and structural strip needing ~500 MPa proof strength.550 MPa yield · 25 HRC
- 1/8HLightly cold-rolled 304LN strip one step above 1/16 hard — modestly higher yield strength and springback with still-good bending and drawing behaviour.450 MPa yield · 210 HB
- 1/16HLightly temper-rolled 304LN sheet/strip (ASTM A666 class) — small strength gain over annealed while keeping near-full ductility and formability.380 MPa yield · 190 HB
- AnnealedStandard soft sheet/strip condition for forming, deep drawing and welded fabrication.320 MPa yield · 165 HB
Working with 304LN 1/2H
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.
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.
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 | — |
304LN 1/2H — frequently asked
What is 304LN 1/2H used for?
304LN 1/2H 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 1/2H?
304LN 1/2H has a typical yield strength of 790 MPa (115 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,060 MPa (154 ksi) — stronger than 96% of stainless steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 10 listed tempers.
Is 304LN 1/2H 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 1/2H 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 1/2H?
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 1/2H 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 1/2H?
304LN 1/2H 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.
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.
Can FabDigit make parts in 304LN 1/2H?
Yes — 304LN 1/2H 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 (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. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.