304 Stainless Steel Sheet
304 stainless steel sheet/plates and 304L stainless steel sheet/plates are part of the austenitic family of stainless steel and they are one of the most versatile and widely used varieties of stainless plate. It is the most widely used due to its high versatility, combining good mechanical properties with excellent resistance to atmospheric corrosion, organic and inorganic chemicals and food. It is easily welded and withstands temperatures of up to 900°C in continuous work.
What Is The Difference Between 304 And 304l Stainless Steel Sheet/plate?
The Main difference between these two stainless steel sheet/plates is the amount of carbon contained within each metal. 304 contains at most 0.08% carbon while 304 L contains at most 0.03% carbon. There is also a slight difference in the nickel levels in the stainless steel plate. 304 stainless steel plate can contain up to 10.5% nickel while 304L can contain up to 12% nitrogen.
Can 304 and 304l steel sheet/plate be polished?
Yes, 304 and 304L stainless steel sheet/plate can be polished to a wide variety of finishes.
Can Stainless Steel Sheet/plate 304 And 304l Be Heat Treated?
Heat treating this type of stainless steel will not result in a stronger, more durable product.
How Much Heat Resistance Does This Stainless Steel Plate Have?
Continuous use of 304 and 304L stainless steel plate in the 800-1580°F range is not recommended if aqueous corrosion resistance is important. Consult a metallurgist for specific applications.
| 304 STAINLESS STEEL SHEET/PLATE | 304L STAINLESS STEEL SHEET/PLATE |
| UNS S30400 | UNS S30403 |
| ASTM A240 | ASTM A240 |
| ASTM A666 | ASTM A666 |
| AMS 5513 | AMS 5511 |
Chemistry(range or Maximum in %)
|
GRADE |
C |
MN |
P |
S |
SI |
NI |
CR |
OTHER |
|
304 |
0.08 |
2.00 |
0.045 |
0.03 |
0.75 |
8.00/10.50 |
18.00/20.00 |
N 0.10 MAX |
|
304L |
0.03 |
2.00 |
0.045 |
0.03 |
0.75 |
8.00/12.00 |
18.00/20.00 |
N 0.10 MAX |
Although both 304 stainless steel sheet/plate and 304L stainless steel sheet/plate have similar chemical properties, there are a few noticeable differences. To begin, 304 stainless steel plate is comprised of at most 0.08% carbon. 304 stainless steel sheet/plate also includes at most 2.0% manganese and 0.75% silicon. it also contains no more than 0.045% phosphorous, 0.03% sulfur and between 18.0% and 20% chromium. 304 stainless steel plate also is made of between 8.0% and 10.5% nickel and at most 0.10% nitrogen. There are some key differences between 304 and 304L stainless steel sheet/plate. One of these key characteristics is the amount of carbon. 304 stainless steel plate is comprised of no more than 0.08% carbon while 304L stainless steel plate contains a maximum of 0.03% carbon. The other main difference in chemical composition between these two stainless steel sheet/plates grades is the amount of nickel. 304L stainless steel plate can have a maximum of 12.0% nickel while 304 stainless steel plate can only contain up to 10.5%. These are the main differences between the two stainless steel sheet/plates. They both contain the same amount of manganese, silicon, phosphorus, sulfur, and nitrogen.
The internationally recognized crossover thickness between what is referred to as sheet and plate is 5.0mm. This is specified in ASTM A480M. Therefore, sheet is thickness less than 5.0mm and plate is 5.0mm and over.
Stainless Steel Sheet made from Steel Coil:
Differences Between Hot Rolled and Cold Rolled:
Cold rolled stainless steel sheet has more accurate dimensional tolerances than that of hot rolled. Unless taking subsequent pickling or descaling treatment, hot rolled stainless steel sheet comes with a rough grey finish while cold rolled has a shinny whitish surface finish. From an economic view, cold rolled stainless steels are more expensive than hot rolled ones. Hot rolled has better ductility and malleability while cold rolled is harder and has more strength.
Our large inventory of stainless steel sheet means we can offer custom sizes for most stainless steel grades.
● Food processing and handling
● Heat exchangers
● Chemical process vessels
● Conveyors
● Architectural
