Stainless Steel 304LN 3/4H
Supply condition
AISI/SAE 304LN · UNS S30453 · EN 1.4311
3/4H = three-quarter hard
Near-spring temper strip where only flat or very gentle forming is required.
Values for the 3/4H condition
Other 304LN tempers and conditions
304LN is listed in 9 conditions; see the grade overview at 304LN.
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 |
3/4HThis page 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 |
What is 304LN 3/4H?
304LN 3/4H is 304LN supplied in the 3/4H condition — near-spring temper strip where only flat or very gentle forming is required. 304LN 3/4H has a yield strength of 960 MPa (139 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,230 MPa (178 ksi) — stronger than 98% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 5% and the elastic modulus is 193 GPa (28 Msi). 304LN 3/4H 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; 3/4H is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- High strength — 960 MPa (139 ksi), better than 98% of stainless steel grades
- Polishes to a fine finish — 80/100, better than 89% of stainless steel grades
Limitations
- Limited ductility — 5%, worse than 100% of stainless steel grades
- Limited service temperature — 300°C (572 °F), worse than 90% of stainless steel grades
- Limited formability — 20/100, worse than 86% of stainless steel grades
304LN 3/4H properties
Typical room-temperature values for 304LN 3/4H; 23 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are 304LN reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among stainless steel grades.
Physical3
304LN 3/4H 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 3/4H has a yield strength of 960 MPa (139 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,230 MPa (178 ksi) — stronger than 98% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 5% and the elastic modulus is 193 GPa (28 Msi).
Thermal6
304LN 3/4H 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 16 µm/m·K (8.89 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
304LN 3/4H conducts electricity at 2.3 % IACS, better than 55% of stainless steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is good (60/100), worse than 58% of stainless steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 304LN 3/4H 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 3/4H's machinability is poor (26/100, worse than 84% of stainless steel grades); weldability good (66/100); formability poor (20/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with 304LN 3/4H
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 3/4H — frequently asked
What is 304LN 3/4H used for?
304LN 3/4H 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 3/4H?
304LN 3/4H has a typical yield strength of 960 MPa (139 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,230 MPa (178 ksi) — stronger than 98% of stainless steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 9 listed tempers.
Is 304LN 3/4H easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated poor (26/100, worse than 84% 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 3/4H be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated good (66/100). 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 3/4H?
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 3/4H 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 3/4H?
304LN 3/4H 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 3/4H?
Yes — 304LN 3/4H 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. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.