304 Stainless is a low carbon (0.08% max) version of basic 18-8 also known as 302. Type 302 has 18% chromium and 8% nickel.
ASTM A213 TP304 Stainless Steel Seamless Tube is manufactured by seamless process used in high pressure environment, stainless steel TP304 grade is the most used material due to its high strength and excellent corrosion resistance.
Type 304 has slightly lower strength than 302 due to its lower carbon content. Type 304 finds extensive use in welding applications because the low carbon permits some exposure in the carbide precipitation range of 800°F - 1500°F without the need for post-annealing operations.
However, the severity of corrosive environments may necessitate annealing after welding or the use of 304L.
Type 304L has a carbon content of 0.03% or less. This alloy can be used in the as-welded condition without becoming susceptible to intergranular corrosion.
Specifications - Stainless Steel 304/304L
TP304/ 304L Welded Stainless Steel Pipe
The main constituents of 304 stainless steel - other than iron - are Chromium and Nickel.
304 contains 18 - 20% Chromium (Cr). Chromium is the essential chemical in all stainless steel and it is that which forms the thin passive layer that makes the metal "stainless"
304 also contains 8-10.5% Nickel (Ni). This is added to make the Austenitic structure more stable at normal temperatures.
The nickel also improves high-temperature oxidation resistance makes the steel resistant to stress corrosion cracking.
Where the steel is to be stretched formed a lower percentage (8%) of nickel should be selected. If the steel is to be deep drawn a higher percentage is better (9% or more).
In addition a number of other chemicals may be present but these are expressed as maximum permited levels with the exception of the increased quantity of carbon required in 304H - i.e. a minimum of .04% and a maximum of 0.10%
*Maximum carbon content of 0.04% acceptable for drawn tubes
There are hundreds of different grades of stainless steel on the market. Each of these unique formulations of stainless steel offer some degree of corrosion resistance above and beyond that of plain steel.
The existence of these stainless steel variants can cause some confusion—especially when the names & formulations of two stainless steel alloys are almost the same. This is the case with grade 304 and 304L stainless steel.
Chemical Composition - Stainless Steel 304/304L
Element | Percentage by Weight Maximum Unless Range is Specified | ||
304 | 304L | 304H | |
Carbon | 0.08 | 0.030 | 0.04-0.10 |
Manganese | 2.00 | 2.00 | 2.00 |
Phosphorus | 0.045 | 0.045 | 0.045 |
Sulfur | 0.030 | 0.030 | 0.030 |
Silicon | 0.75 | 0.75 | 0.75 |
Chromium | 18.00 20.00 |
18.00 20.00 |
18.00 20.00 |
Nickel | 8.0 10.50 |
8.0 12.00 |
8.0 10.5 |
Nitrogen | 0.10 | 0.10 | 0.10 |
These three alloys are remarkably similar—but there is one key difference. In grade 304 stainless, the maximum carbon content is set at 0.08%, whereas grade 304L stainless steel has a maximum carbon content of 0.03%. The “L” in 304L can be interpreted as meaning extra-low carbon.
This difference of 0.05% carbon content produces a slight, but marked, difference in the performances of the two alloys.
Grade 304L has a slight, but noticeable, reduction in key mechanical performance characteristics compared to the “standard” grade 304 stainless steel alloy.
Typical Mechanical Properties-Stainless Steel 304/304L
Grade | Tensile Strength Rm N/mm² |
Yield Strength Rp 0.2, N/mm² | Elongation (%) |
304 Annealed | 500-700 | 195 | 40 |
304L Annealed | 460-680 | 180 | 40 |
Physical Properties
Data | Metric | English |
Density | 8 g/cc | 0.289 lb/in³ |
Mechanical Properties
Hardness, Brinell | 123 | 123 | Converted from Rockwell B hardness. |
Hardness, Knoop | 138 | 138 | Converted from Rockwell B hardness. |
Hardness, Rockwell B | 70 | 70 | |
Hardness, Vickers | 129 | 129 | Converted from Rockwell B hardness. |
Tensile Strength, Ultimate | 505 MPa | 73200 psi | |
Tensile Strength, Yield | 215 MPa | 31200 psi | at 0.2% offset |
伸长的信徒ak | 70 % | 70 % | in 50 mm |
Modulus of Elasticity | 193 - 200年的平均绩点 | 28000 - 29000 ksi | |
Poisson's Ratio | 0.29 | 0.29 | |
Charpy Impact | 325 J | 240 ft-lb | |
Shear Modulus | 86 GPa | 12500 ksi |
Electrical Properties
Electrical Resistivity | 7.2 e - 005 ohm-cm | 7.2 e - 005 ohm-cm | at 20°C (68°F); 1.16E-04 at 650°C (1200°F) |
Magnetic Permeability | 1.008 | 1.008 | at RT |
Thermal Properties
Design Features - Stainless Steel 304/304L
Typical Applications - Stainless Steel 304/304L
Tensile Requirements - Stainless Steel 304/304L
Each alloy represents an excellent combination of corrosion resistance and fabricability. This combination of properties is the reason for the extensive use of these alloys which represent nearly one half of the total U.S. stainless steel production. The 18-8 stainless steels, principally Alloys 304, 304L, and 304H, are available in a wide range of product forms including sheet, strip, and plate. The alloys are covered by a variety of specifications and codes relating to, or regulating, construction or use of equipment manufactured from these alloys for specific conditions. Food and beverage, sanitary, cryogenic, and pressure-containing applications are examples.
Alloy 304 is the standard alloy since AOD technology has made lower carbon levels more easily attainable and economical. Alloy 304L is used for welded products which might be exposed to conditions which could cause intergranular corrosion in service.
Alloy 304H is a modification of Alloy 304 in which the carbon content is controlled to a range of 0.04-0.10 to provide improved high temperature strength to parts exposed to temperatures above 800°F.
For example, the ultimate tensile strength (UTS) of 304L is roughly 85 ksi (~586 MPa), less than the UTS of standard grade 304 stainless, which is 90 ksi (~620 MPa). The difference in yield strength is slightly greater, with 304 SS having a 0.2% yield strength of 42 ksi (~289 MPa) and 304L having a 0.2% yield strength of 35 ksi (~241 MPa).
This means that if you had two steel wire baskets and both baskets had the exact same design, wire thickness, and construction, the basket made from 304L would be structurally weaker than the standard 304 basket.
So, if 304L is weaker than standard 304 stainless steel, why would anyone want to use it?
The answer is that the 304L alloy’s lower carbon content helps minimize/eliminate carbide precipitation during the welding process. This allows 304L stainless steel to be used in the “as-welded” state, even in severe corrosive environments.
If you were to use standard 304 stainless in the same way, it would degrade much faster at the weld joints.
Basically, using 304L eliminates the need to anneal weld joints prior to using the completed metal form—saving time and effort.
In practice, both 304 and 304L can be used for many of the same applications. The differences are often minor enough that one isn’t considered massively more useful over the other. When stronger corrosion resistance is needed, other alloys, such as grade 316 stainless steel, are usually considered as an alternative.
ASTM A213 / ASME SA213 is a America specification for stainless steel boiler, super heater, heat exchanger tubes, executed by most world stainless steel seamless tubes mills and factories, minimum wall thickness required in A213 seamless tube, or average wall thickness as customers requirement, tight tolerance of outside and wall thickness stated as A213 standard or A1016
Also known as "marine grade" stainless steel due to its increased ability to resist saltwater corrosion compared to type 304. SS316 is often used for building nuclear reprocessing plants.
304 Stainless is a low carbon (0.08% max) version of basic 18-8 also known as 302.
Type 316 is more resistant to atmospheric and other mild environments than Type 304.
310S Stainless Steel has excellent resistance to oxidation under constant temperatures to 2000°F.
317L is a molybdenum bearing austenitic chromium nickel steel similar to type 316, except the alloy content in 317L is somewhat higher.
Type 321 is basic type 304 modified by adding titanium in an amount at least 5 times the carbon plus nitrogen contents.
Type 410 is a martensitic stainless steel which is magnetic, resists corrosion in mild environents and has fairly good ductility.
2205双(不成功)S31803母材, or Avesta Sheffield 2205 is a ferritic-austenitic stainless steel.
Duplex 2507 (UNS S32750) is a super duplex stainless steel with 25% chromium, 4% molybdenum..
UNS S32760 is described as a super duplex stainless with a microstructure of 50:50 austenite and ferrite.
ASTM A269 / A269M Standard Specification for Seamless and Welded Austenitic Stainless Steel Tubing for General Service
ASME SA 249 Standard Specification for Welded Austenitic Steel Boiler,
Superheater, Heat-Exchanger, and Condenser Tubes.
904L stainless steel consists of chromium, nickel, molybdenum and copper contents, these elements give type 904L stainless steel excellent properties
Grade 304 is an austenitic steel with excellent welding and forming characteristics.
What is Stainless Steel 304, 304L, 304H?
These stainless steels are widely used in the petrochemical and food industries due to their corrosion resistance, tensile strength and ability to accommodate higher temperatures. There is a trade-off between corrosion resistance and temperature characteristics according to the specific grade.
Properties
The key elements in 304 are Chromium and Nickel which give it excellent resistance to corrosion.
它具有良好的抵抗corrosion, it is malleable and ductile and has good weldability. The austenitic structure allows it to be deep drawn without intermediate annealing.
It is also unnecessary to anneal it following welding thin sections. It is widely used in the food industry, water, architectural, cryogenic and high-temperature applications.
Widely used for good quality cutlery where it is described as 18/8 referring to the percentages of Chromium and Nickel.
What are the main uses of stainless 304?
The range of properties of 304 mean that it is used in many industries.
Its resistance to corrosion makes it suitable for use in the food industry, particularly dairy, wine and beer production or processing.
Its malleability makes it easily formed into sinks, troughs and other kitchen appliances and it can be spun easily making it suitable for the production of pots and pans.
A good choice for architectural applications being less expensive than 316. Its corrosion resistance makes it an excellent choice for internal panelling or other fittings and it is also suitable for use externally when away from the marine environment. It is however not as resistant to chloride corrosion as 316 and if there is salt spray in the atmosphere it is generally best to use 316.
The combination of corrosion resistance and formability make it a good choice for chemical containers - including those used for transportation.
It has good heat resistance and is therefore widely used in heat-exchangers. Where particularly high temperatures 304H should be considered
What are its main benefits of 304?
Corrosion Resistance
304 has good corrosion resistance in a wide range of atmospheric conditions and to many corrosive media. It is however subject to pitting corrosion in chloride environments particularly in warm conditions.
It is also subject to stress corrosion cracking above 60o.
It is generally resistant to concentrations of about 200mg/litre of chlorides at 20o but this drops to about 150mg/litre at 60o.
Heat Resistance
304 is not generally regarded as a grade to be selected when very high temperatures are expected but it may have certain benefits. It resists oxidisation in continuous use up to 925o and in intermittent use to 870o. However, using it in a temperature range between 425o and 860o can result in carbide precipitation and subsequently intergranular corrosion.
304L, with its lower carbon content, is less prone to carbide precipitation and can be used at these temperatures.
304H has greater strength at high temperatures and may be the steel of choice where both high-temperature resistance and corrosion resistance are required. Thes requirements are often found in flue gas chimneys where gasses may condense forming aggressive often acidic liquids.
What are the limitations 304?
In common with other austenitic stainless steels, 304 grade has strong work hardening characteristics. Clearly, in some cases, this can be an advantage, but generally, it is an issue to be considered carefully.
If it is likely to be an issue, discussion with the producer can be valuable as minor variations to the precise composition and process can have benefits.
Where heavy sections have to we welded, post-weld annealing may be necessary to restore corrosion resistance.
Variants - 304L & 304H
The two main variants of grade 304 are the low carbon form 304L and the high carbon form 304H
304L has a maximum of 0.30% carbon. This reduces the tendency for carbide precipitation when welding. Carbide precipitation can result in intergranular corrosion.
304H has between 0.04 and 0.1% carbon. This gives it greater strength at high temperature but does make it more vulnerable to carbide precipitation when welding.
Since 304 has as having a maximum of 0.08% carbon, there are potential overlaps in the specifications which means that it is not uncommon to find dual specification.
304L clearly has less than 0.08% carbon and can, therefore, be described as 304/304L.
304 may have up to 0.08% carbon so if its carbon content is between 0.04 a
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