304L Stainless Steel (1.4301)

Like most austenitic stainless steels, the properties of 304L can vary depending on manufacturing conditions. However, typical mechanical values include:

Tensile strength: 515 MPa (74,000 psi)

Yield strength: 205 MPa (29,700 psi)

Elongation: 40%

Hardness (Brinell): 217

Modulus of Elasticity: 193 GPa (28 x 10⁶ psi)

Poisson’s Ratio: 0.29

Shear Modulus: 77 GPa (11.2 x 10⁶ psi)

These properties make 304L stainless steel suitable for forming, machining, and welding across a range of demanding environments.

304L stainless steel exhibits dependable physical characteristics that make it a reliable choice in structural, thermal, and fabrication settings:

Density: 8.0 g/cm³, indicating a solid, compact structure suitable for load-bearing and industrial applications.

Melting Point: 1399–1454 °C (2550–2650 °F), offering stability in elevated-temperature operations.

Thermal Conductivity: ~16.2 W/m·K, ensures decent heat transfer, making it suitable for kitchenware, heat exchangers, and mechanical parts.

Thermal Expansion: ~17.2 × 10⁻⁶/K, moderate expansion under temperature changes, useful for maintaining tolerances in precision assemblies.

Modulus of Elasticity: 193 GPa, representing high stiffness, making 304L a strong option for structural frameworks and pressure-retaining components.

Electrical Resistivity: ~0.72 µΩ·m, offering moderate resistance for applications requiring controlled conductivity.

Together, these properties allow 304L stainless steel to perform reliably across a range of industries, including construction, food processing, medical devices, and chemical containment, particularly when welding and forming are involved.

Yes, several variants of 304L stainless steel exist to suit specific performance needs in fabrication, corrosion resistance, and strength:

304L (Low Carbon): The standard low-carbon version of 304 stainless steel. Its reduced carbon content (≤ 0.03%) improves resistance to intergranular corrosion after welding, making it ideal for welded components in corrosive environments.

304H: A high-carbon version (0.04–0.10%) designed for improved strength at elevated temperatures. It offers better creep resistance and is often used in heat exchangers, boilers, and pressure vessels.

304LN: Enhanced with nitrogen to increase yield strength and improve toughness. It maintains the corrosion resistance of standard 304L but is better suited for high-strength or cryogenic applications.

304DDQ (Deep Drawing Quality): Optimised for extreme formability, often used in sink manufacture, cookware, and press-formed components.

304L Mod: A modified version with tighter chemical controls for specialised processing applications.

These variations ensure that 304L stainless steel can be tailored to different manufacturing methods, temperature exposures, and corrosive settings, offering flexibility across a wide range of industries.