Are There Variants of 304 Stainless Steel?

Yes. 304H is the high carbon variant for elevated temperature strength and creep resistance. Related grades: 304L (low carbon for welded assemblies and corrosion resistance without post weld treatment); 304 (standard grade with balanced formability and corrosion resistance); 304LN (nitrogen strengthened for higher yield strength and cryogenic or pressure sensitive service); 304DDQ (deep drawing quality for extreme formability).

304H Stainless Steel (1.4948)

Q: What are the Mechanical Properties of 304H Stainless Steel?

Typical values: tensile strength 515-860 MPa (74,000-125,000 psi); yield strength (0.2 percent) 205-515 MPa (29,700-74,000 psi); elongation 40-50 percent; hardness (Brinell) 217-269; modulus of elasticity 193 GPa (28 x 10^6 psi); Poisson's ratio 0.29; shear modulus 77 GPa (11.2 x 10^6 psi). These support use in high temperature piping, boilers and pressure vessels.

Q: What are the Physical Properties of 304H Stainless Steel?

Typical values: density 8.0 g/cm3; melting point 1399-1454 C (2550-2650 F); thermal conductivity approx 16.2 W/m K; thermal expansion approx 17.2 x 10^-6 per K; modulus of elasticity 193 GPa; specific heat capacity approx 0.50 J/g K. These support reliability in high temperature environments.

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

Typical composition in percent: 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; Iron balance.

Q: Where is 304H Stainless Steel Used?

Common applications: power generation (superheaters, reheaters, boiler components); petrochemical industry (high temperature piping, pressure vessels); refineries (furnace parts, heat exchanger tubing); construction (frameworks exposed to heat); industrial processing (kilns, reactors, exhaust manifolds).

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

304H Stainless Steel

304H stainless steel is the high-carbon alternative within the 304 family, engineered for improved mechanical performance under elevated temperatures. With a carbon content of 0.04% or higher, it offers greater tensile and yield strength than 304L, along with improved hardness and structural stability.

Its composition makes it particularly effective in high-temperature settings, where long-term strength and resistance to thermal stress are critical. This includes environments such as power stations, chemical refineries, and industrial furnaces. 304H maintains excellent corrosion resistance in neutral and mildly corrosive atmospheres, including chloride-bearing and acidic conditions, making it a dependable choice for structural and pressure-bearing components.

Typical applications include heat exchangers, pressure vessels, boiler tubes, and superheater elements, where the material must perform under fluctuating temperatures and corrosive exposure. While it can tolerate short-term service temperatures up to 870°C, corrosion performance may diminish with extended exposure, so it's important to assess each application individually.

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AVAILABLE FORMS

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

304H stainless steel provides enhanced high-temperature strength and creep resistance, making it ideal for pressure-retaining components exposed to prolonged heat.

Tensile Strength: 515–860 MPa (74,000–125,000 psi) – Offers strong load-bearing capability in elevated-temperature environments.

Yield Strength (0.2%): 205–515 MPa (29,700–74,000 psi) – Provides reliable resistance to permanent deformation under operational stress.

Elongation: 40–50% – Indicates good ductility, supporting forming and welding processes.

Hardness (Brinell): 217–269 – Ensures durability against surface wear while remaining machinable.

Modulus of Elasticity: 193 GPa (28 × 10⁶ psi) – High stiffness is important for structural reliability under thermal stress.

Poisson’s Ratio: 0.29 – Reflects stable elastic behavior during dimensional changes.

Shear Modulus: 77 GPa (11.2 × 10⁶ psi) – Supports applications involving torsion and shear forces.

These mechanical properties make 304H a dependable choice for high-temperature piping, boilers, pressure vessels, and other thermal system components.

What are the Physical Properties of 304H Stainless Steel?

304H stainless steel maintains structural integrity and performance under prolonged thermal exposure, making it ideal for high-temperature systems.

Density: 8.0 g/cm³ – Standard for austenitic stainless steels, offering consistent strength-to-weight ratio.

Melting Point: 1399–1454 °C (2550–2650 °F) – Suitable for continuous service in furnace systems and thermal process equipment.

Thermal Conductivity: ~16.2 W/m·K – Enables effective heat dissipation in boilers, superheaters, and exchanger tubing.

Thermal Expansion: ~17.2 × 10⁻⁶/K – Provides predictable dimensional changes under thermal cycling.

Modulus of Elasticity: 193 GPa – Ensures high rigidity under mechanical and thermal loads.

Specific Heat Capacity: ~0.50 J/g·K – Helps buffer temperature fluctuations in process-critical environments.

These properties allow 304H to perform consistently in structurally demanding, high-temperature, and chemically aggressive operating conditions, particularly within power generation, refining, and petrochemical infrastructure.

Are there Variants of 304H Stainless Steel?

304H is part of the 304-series stainless steel family, each version tailored to different service conditions or fabrication methods:

304L (Low Carbon): Designed for welded assemblies requiring corrosion resistance without post-weld treatment

304 (Standard): General-purpose stainless with balanced corrosion resistance and formability

304LN (Nitrogen-Enhanced): Offers higher strength and improved performance in cryogenic or pressure-sensitive environments

304DDQ (Deep Drawing Quality): Engineered for high-formability applications such as cookware and sinks

Each variant allows specifiers to meet specific temperature, strength, or fabrication priorities in diverse sectors.

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

The elevated performance of 304H stainless steel (1.4948) is a direct result of its carefully adjusted chemical balance, optimised for high-temperature strength and structural stability.

Typical composition (%):

Carbon: 0.04–0.10
Increases strength, hardness, and creep resistance in elevated temperature applications.

Manganese: ≤ 2.00
Enhances hot-working properties and supports strength.

Phosphorus: ≤ 0.045
Controlled to maintain ductility and reduce risk of brittleness.

Sulfur: ≤ 0.03
Improves machinability in small amounts, but is kept low to preserve toughness.

Silicon: ≤ 1.00
Aids oxidation resistance during high-temperature service.

Chromium: 18.0–20.0
Provides robust resistance to oxidation, scaling, and general corrosion.

Nickel: 8.0–10.5
Contributes to toughness, ductility, and resistance to acid-based corrosion.

Nitrogen: 0.10–0.16
Boosts yield strength and improves structural integrity in pressure applications.

Iron: Balance
Forms the matrix of the alloy, delivering its core structural framework.

Where is 304H Stainless Steel Used?

304H is trusted in heat-intensive and structural applications where resistance to oxidation and thermal stress is essential.

Typical uses include:

Power Generation: Superheaters, reheaters, boiler components

Petrochemical Systems: High-temperature piping and pressure vessels

Refineries: Heat exchanger tubing, furnace internals

Construction: Structural frameworks exposed to heat

Processing Equipment: Kilns, exhaust manifolds, and reactor tubing

Its ability to retain mechanical performance at elevated temperatures makes it a go-to choice for critical infrastructure and pressure systems.

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304H Stainless Steel (1.4948)