304h Stainless Steel (1.4948)

304H is a high carbon stainless steel with high strength and improved high-temperature properties, good formability and weldability.

304H Stainless Steel

304H is a high-carbon variant of 304 stainless steel, offering greater strength and better performance at high temperatures compared to 304L. Its enhanced carbon content (minimum 0.04%) provides higher tensile and yield strength, increased hardness, and improved machinability.

Renowned for its excellent corrosion resistance, 304H performs well in neutral, acidic, and chloride-rich environments. Common applications include furnace components, heat exchangers, chemical processing equipment, and pressure vessels, often used in industries like oil and gas, petrochemicals, and power generation.

Ideal for temperatures above 550°C, it can withstand short-term exposure up to 870°C. However, prolonged high temperatures may impact corrosion resistance, so suitability should be assessed based on specific application conditions.

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POLISH

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AVAILABLE FORMS

Intamet offers 304H in a wide range of forms, including the below:

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FAQs: 304H Stainless Steel

What are the Mechanical Properties of 304H Stainless Steel?

The strength and other characteristics of 304H stainless steel can change based on how it is made and used. However, in general, the mechanical properties of 304H stainless steel include:

Tensile strength: 515-860 MPa (74,000-125,000 psi)
Yield strength: 205-515 MPa (29,700-74,000 psi)
Elongation: 40-50%
Hardness (Brinell): 217-269
Modulus of Elasticity: 193 GPa (28 x 106 psi)
Poisson's Ratio: 0.29

Tensile strength refers to the amount of stress a material can handle before breaking. Yield strength, on the other hand, is the point at which a material begins to permanently change shape.

Lastly, elongation measures a material's ability to stretch without breaking. Hardness measures the difficulty of making an indentation on a material. Modulus of elasticity measures how well a material can bounce back to its original shape after being changed. Poisson's Ratio is the ratio of transverse strain to longitudinal strain.

These values are average and can change depending on the conditions when the material is made and used.

What are the Physical Properties of 304H Stainless Steel?

304H stainless steel exhibits physical characteristics that make it ideal for high-temperature environments and structural reliability:

Density: 8.0 g/cm³, standard for austenitic stainless steels

Melting Point: 1399–1454 °C (2550–2650 °F), allows service in furnace and heat exchanger applications

Thermal Conductivity: ~16.2 W/m·K – supports efficient heat transfer

Thermal Expansion: ~17.2 × 10⁻⁶/K, accommodates dimensional shifts at high temps

Modulus of Elasticity: 193 GPa, ensures strong rigidity

Specific Heat Capacity: ~0.50 J/g·K, supports thermal energy absorption

These properties contribute to 304H's ability to maintain mechanical stability in elevated thermal conditions.

Are There Variants of 304 Stainless Steel?

Yes, 304H is part of a broader 304 stainless steel family with several important variants, each optimised for different environments:

304H: High-carbon version for improved strength and creep resistance in elevated temperatures

304L: Low-carbon version ideal for welding and enhanced resistance to intergranular corrosion

304: The standard grade with a balance of formability, corrosion resistance, and mechanical performance

304LN: Nitrogen-strengthened version of 304L for improved strength and toughness

304DDQ: Specialised for deep drawing applications where extreme formability is needed

Each variant is suited to different fabrication or environmental requirements, allowing manufacturers to tailor performance to application.

What is the Chemical Composition of 304H? (1.4948)

The chemical composition of 304H stainless steel includes:

Carbon: 0.04-0.10%
Manganese: 2.00% max
Phosphorus: 0.045% max
Sulfur: 0.03% max
Silicon: 1.00% max
Chromium: 18.0-20.0%
Nickel: 8.0-10.5%
Nitrogen: 0.10-0.16%

304H Stainless Steel is an austenitic stainless steel that contains at least 18% chromium, 8% nickel, and a maximum of 0.10% carbon.

The addition of carbon gives it increased strength and high-temperature properties, while chromium and nickel give it excellent corrosion resistance. Other elements such as manganese, phosphorus, sulfur, silicon, and nitrogen are present in smaller quantities. These elements are used to improve specific properties or meet various standards.

The chemical makeup of 304H stainless steel can change based on how it is made and used.

Where is 304H Stainless Steel Used?

Due to its durability in high-temperature environments, 304H stainless steel is widely used across industries that demand both strength and resistance to oxidation:

Power Generation: Ideal for superheaters, reheaters, and boiler components

Petrochemical Industry: Used in high-temperature piping and pressure vessels

Refineries: Common in furnace parts and heat exchanger tubing

Construction: Structural support in elevated temperature environments

Industrial Processing: Found in kilns, reactors, and exhaust manifolds

Its performance in thermally aggressive settings, combined with ease of fabrication and weldability, makes 304H a go-to choice in critical infrastructure applications.

304h Stainless Steel (1.4948)