304 Stainless Steel Sheet Uses
When choosing a material for your product or manufacturing process, characteristics such as weight, strength, corrosion resistance and cost are often paramount. That’s what has made stainless steel such an important metal for the last hundred years.
With so many alloys to choose from, chances are there’s a stainless steel that’s perfect for your application at a great price. And one of the best options you’ll want to consider is alloy 304. In the following article, we show you the properties and uses of 304 stainless steel sheets.
What are the properties of 304 stainless steel?
properties steel
The most important characteristic of stainless steel 304 is that it is known as an austenitic material, which means that it is a metallic, non-magnetic allotrope of iron with an alloying element.
It has a eutectoid point that occurs at 727°C. The austenite allotrope exists at room temperature in stainless steel and was named after William Chandler Roberts-Austen.
The 304 variety of sheet is known as 304L #4 finish stainless steel sheets. Due to their low carbon content. They are safe in most welding operations common in construction and other industries, as the formation of carbide precipitation that occurs during welding is minimised.
Also, it shows excellent rust resistance and low intergranular corrosion. Unless your particular application requires stress relief, 304 sheets do not require annealing after the weld has been made.
304L #4 is also known for its superior machinability and formability. This allows 304 steel to be deep drawn and stamped for a variety of applications, including sinks, pans and other hollow ware.
In addition, its low yield strength and high elongation allow 304 to form all kinds of complex shapes. It hardens quickly, so after forming it requires only air cooling, an important factor in its affordability and efficiency. If necessary, after spinning or forming, stress relief annealing or full annealing to your specifications is possible.
304 stainless steel is non-magnetic and offers low electrical and thermal conductivity. It has a higher corrosion resistance than many other stainless steel alloys. In addition, its weldability, as mentioned above, lends itself to a number of commercial welding methods, including fusion and resistance welding.
When forming 304 stainless steel, uniform temperatures, between 2300°F and 1700°F, are required. Another main feature of alloy 304 is its versatility. It is suitable for a wide range of fabrication applications, which is why it is so popular in so many industries.
Its resistance to intergranular corrosion, which is normally a by-product of stress relieving or welding, makes it suitable for products that otherwise could not use stainless steel.
Although it cannot be used with heat treatment, the metal can be hardened and strengthened by a cold working process. 304 sheet is one of your best options if you are faced with a corrosive environment or a heat-affected zone.
What are some common applications of 304 stainless steel?
stainless steel cookware
Due to its popularity, it is harder to find an industry or sector that does not employ 304 stainless steel sheet. To qualify as sheet, it must be less than a quarter of an inch thick across its entire width.
The stainless steel is passed through rolls until it reaches the desired dimensions and thickness. Some of the most common applications for stainless steel sheet include household items and accessories.
In particular, its high corrosion resistance makes it a major choice for industries such as textiles, chemicals, food, transport and aerospace.
You will find this alloy in sinks, coils commonly found in steam engines, screws, automobiles, water filtration units, machine parts, food processing equipment, aircraft, rockets, construction, dyeing equipment, chemical containers and heat exchangers.
Sheet 304 may also be used for nuts, bolts, screws and other types of fasteners in marine applications. Of course, corrosion resistance is not just a consideration for heavy industry. Foodstuffs are also a common source of corrosion due to the high acid content of items such as fruit and meat.
For this reason, stainless steel is the first choice for items including sinks, tables, coffee pots, cookware, refrigerators and liquid dispensers. one of the most common uses for 304 stainless steel is traditionally for cookware such as pots, pans, bowls and cutlery.
Up to this point, we have shown you the uses and properties of 304 stainless steel sheet. In short, the plate has high tensile strength, durability and offers an exceptional finish. We hope you have found this information interesting and useful!
At Tisco steel you will find a range of stainless steel products in different grades. If you have any questions about our plates, tubes, pipes, fittings, bars and angles, please do not hesitate to contact us.