Stainless grade 304 is produced in various carbon levels. We stock T304, T304L (low carbon) and T304H (high carbon) in a wide range of gauges and finishes. We also stock 304/304L Dual Certified.
304L has a maximum carbon content of .03%. 304H has a carbon content between .04% and .08%
Grade 304 is the standard "18-8" stainless. It is the most versatile and most widely used stainless steel, available in a wider range of products, forms (bar, sheet, plate, tube, coil, etc.) and finishes (Pump shaft quality "PSQ", Centerless Ground, 2B, etc), than any other. It has excellent forming and welding characteristics. The balanced austenitic structure of Grade 304 enables it to be severely deep drawn without intermediate annealing, which has made this grade dominant in the manufacture of drawn stainless parts such as sinks, hollow-ware and saucepans, handlebar, hooks, and chains. Grade 304 is readily brake or roll formed into a variety of components for applications in the industrial, architectural, and transportation fields. It also has outstanding welding characteristics. Post-weld annealing is not required when welding thin sections.Grade 304L, the low carbon version of 304, does not require post-weld annealing and so is extensively used in heavy gauge components (over about 6mm).
Grade 304H with its higher carbon content finds application at elevated temperatures. The austenitic structure also gives these grades excellent toughness, even down to cryogenic temperatures.
These properties are specified for ASTM A240/A240M. Similar but not necessarily identical properties are specified for other products such as pipe and bar in their respective specifications.
Grade 304 cannot be hardened by thermal treatment.
Specifications
UNS S30400, Type 304: AMS 5513, ASTM A240, ASTM A666
UNS S30403, Type 304L: AMS 5511, ASTM A240, ASTM A666
UNS S30409. Type 304H
Applications:
Architectural mouldings and trim, kitchen equipment (sinks, splashbacks, saucepans, cutlery, flatware), welded components or chemical, textile, paper, pharmaceutical and chemical industry processing equipment. Also brewery, dairy, food production equipment, springs, bolts, screws, nuts, anchors.