Stainless Steel 304N
AISI/SAE 304N · UNS S30451
304N (S30451) is a nitrogen-added version of 304, using interstitial nitrogen to raise yield strength while keeping the 18Cr-8Ni corrosion behaviour of the base grade.
Reference datasheet — 304N is not in the instant-quote catalog. Upload your part and an engineer will quote it in this grade or suggest the closest stocked equivalent.
Values for the ANN condition
304N tempers and conditions
304N is supplied in 8 conditions, soft to hard. ANN is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 8 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ANNDefault Annealed | Default stock condition for plate, sheet, pipe and bar; maximum ductility, corrosion resistance and weldability with N-boosted yield strength. | 320 | 650 | 50 | 180 HB | — |
1/16-Hard | Minimal cold work for extra stiffness and flatness while keeping near-annealed bendability; typical for lightly stressed panels and trim. | 400 | 700 | 42 | 200 HB | — |
1/8-Hard | Modest strength lift with still-good roll forming and moderate bend radii; used for formed structural sections and appliance parts. | 440 | 740 | 37 | 215 HB | — |
Cold drawn | Round/hex bar with improved straightness, surface finish and yield strength for machined shafts and fasteners. | 580 | 790 | 25 | 235 HB | — |
Quarter hard | Common strength/formability compromise for brackets, clamps and light springs where annealed yield is insufficient. | 620 | 930 | 14 | 27 HRC | — |
Half hard | High-strength strip for spring clips, washers and flat springs; only shallow bends across the rolling direction are practical. | 850 | 1,100 | 9 | 33 HRC | — |
Three-quarter hard | Near-maximum cold-worked strength for flat spring stock and shims; essentially non-formable except very gentle radii. | 1,000 | 1,260 | 5 | 37 HRC | — |
Full hard | Maximum as-rolled strength for spring strip, blades and wear shims; brittle in bending and strongly magnetic from deformation martensite. | 1,050 | 1,330 | 4 | 41 HRC | — |
What is 304N?
304N (S30451) is a nitrogen-added version of 304, using interstitial nitrogen to raise yield strength while keeping the 18Cr-8Ni corrosion behaviour of the base grade. Annealed material is rated at 320 MPa yield, 650 MPa tensile, 50 % elongation, 180 HB and 193 GPa modulus, with service to 760 °C and tempers from annealed through full hard and cold drawn. Weldability is high (85) and corrosion resistance (62) matches 304, but machinability is low (38) and forming loads are higher than 304; use plain 304 where the extra yield strength is not required. 304N 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). 304N has a yield strength of 320 MPa (46.4 ksi) and a tensile strength of 650 MPa (94.3 ksi) — weaker than 60% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 50% and the elastic modulus is 193 GPa (28 Msi).
What is 304N used for?
- structural components
- pressure vessels
- high-strength piping
Advantages
- Polishes to a fine finish — 85/100, better than 97% of stainless steel grades
- Tough — resists crack growth — 210 MPa·√m (191.1 ksi·√in), better than 95% of stainless steel grades
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 50%, better than 90% of stainless steel grades
- Forms and bends easily — 78/100, better than 90% of stainless steel grades
- Readily welded — 85/100, better than 87% of stainless steel grades
304N properties
Typical room-temperature values for 304N-ANN; bars are the position among stainless steel grades.
Physical3
304N 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
304N has a yield strength of 320 MPa (46.4 ksi) and a tensile strength of 650 MPa (94.3 ksi) — weaker than 60% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 50% and the elastic modulus is 193 GPa (28 Msi).
Thermal6
304N is rated for continuous service to 760°C (1,400 °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
304N 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 304N 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
304N's machinability is fair (38/100, better than 63% of stainless steel grades); weldability excellent (85/100); formability very good (78/100).
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. 304N is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with 304N
Is 304N easy to machine?
Gummy and strongly work-hardening — use rigid setups, positive-rake sharp carbide, heavy positive feed to stay under the hardened skin, and flood coolant; expect ~40 % of 1212 speeds.
Can 304N be welded?
Readily welded by GTAW/GMAW/SMAW with 308L or nitrogen-bearing 308LN filler; no preheat, keep interpass below ~150 °C and limit heat input to preserve corrosion resistance.
Can 304N be formed, bent or molded?
Cold formable but with ~25 % higher press loads and more springback than 304; use generous radii, interstage annealing at 1010–1120 °C with rapid cooling for severe draws.
304N 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 |
|---|---|---|
| CASTM A240 max | ≤ 0.08 | 0.05 |
| Mn | ≤ 2 | 1.6 |
| 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 |
| Ndeliberate nitrogen addition — the defining element of 304N | 0.1 – 0.16 | 0.13 |
| Fe | balance |
What surface finishes work on 304N?
Not anodizable — passivate per ASTM A967 or electropolish after pickling; takes No.4 brushed and No.8 mirror finishes well, and accepts PVD or chemical colouring.
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).
Passivation
Organic Coating
Thermal Spray
Equivalent designations
Standards and trade names that resolve to Stainless Steel 304N in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- UNS
- S30451
How much does 304N cost?
304N is a standard-cost stainless steel ($$), cheaper than about 71% 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.
304N — frequently asked
What is 304N used for?
304N is typically used for structural components, pressure vessels and high-strength piping. In short: higher-yield 304; code-friendly pressure vessel grade; same corrosion class as 304.
What is the yield strength of 304N?
304N has a typical yield strength of 320 MPa (46.4 ksi) and a tensile strength of 650 MPa (94.3 ksi) — weaker than 60% of stainless steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 8 listed tempers.
Is 304N easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated fair (38/100, better than 63% of stainless steel grades). Gummy and strongly work-hardening — use rigid setups, positive-rake sharp carbide, heavy positive feed to stay under the hardened skin, and flood coolant; expect ~40 % of 1212 speeds.
Can 304N be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated excellent (85/100). Readily welded by GTAW/GMAW/SMAW with 308L or nitrogen-bearing 308LN filler; no preheat, keep interpass below ~150 °C and limit heat input to preserve corrosion resistance.
What surface finishes work on 304N?
Not anodizable — passivate per ASTM A967 or electropolish after pickling; takes No.4 brushed and No.8 mirror finishes well, and accepts PVD or chemical colouring.
Can 304N be formed, bent or molded?
Cold formable but with ~25 % higher press loads and more springback than 304; use generous radii, interstage annealing at 1010–1120 °C with rapid cooling for severe draws.
What is the maximum service temperature of 304N?
304N is rated for continuous use to about 760°C (1,400 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between 304N-ANN and 304N-FH?
ANN is the default condition — default stock condition for plate, sheet, pipe and bar; maximum ductility, corrosion resistance and weldability with N-boosted yield strength. FH: maximum as-rolled strength for spring strip, blades and wear shims; brittle in bending and strongly magnetic from deformation martensite. Yield strength is 320 MPa in ANN versus 1,050 MPa in FH.
How much does 304N cost?
304N is a standard-cost stainless steel ($$), cheaper than about 71% 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.
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/A276M — Stainless Steel Bars and Shapes — ASTM International (2023)
- ASME BPVC Section II Part D — Materials, Properties — ASME (2023)
- ASM Specialty Handbook: Stainless Steels — ASM International (1994)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- Outokumpu Steel Grades, Properties and Global Standards — Outokumpu (2022)
- GB/T 4237 / GB/T 20878 06Cr19Ni10N (304N) (2015)
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.