304L Stainless Steel (1.4301)

304L stainless steel delivers a reliable balance of strength, ductility, and toughness, even in demanding fabrication or corrosive environments.

Tensile Strength: 515 MPa (74,000 psi) - Suitable for general structural use and pressure containment.

Yield Strength (0.2%): 205 MPa (29,700 psi) - Offers dependable resistance to permanent deformation under load.

Elongation: 40% - Indicates excellent ductility, ideal for forming and welding.

Hardness (Brinell): 217 - Provides a good combination of wear resistance and machinability.

Modulus of Elasticity: 193 GPa (28 x 10⁶ psi) - Reflects high stiffness, important for structural stability.

Poisson’s Ratio: 0.29 - Ensures predictable elastic behavior under stress.

Shear Modulus: 77 GPa (11.2 x 10⁶ psi) - Relevant in torsional loading scenarios.

These properties make 304L a versatile material used widely in structural, processing, and hygienic environments.

304L stainless steel offers reliable physical characteristics that suit structural, thermal, and hygienic applications.

Density: 8.0 g/cm³ - A compact structure that supports load-bearing and pressure systems.

Melting Point: 1399–1454 °C (2550–2650 °F) - Maintains integrity in elevated temperature applications.

Thermal Conductivity: ~16.2 W/m·K - Ensures efficient heat transfer for components like heat exchangers and cookware.

Thermal Expansion: ~17.2 × 10⁻⁶/K - Offers dimensional stability across varying thermal cycles.

Modulus of Elasticity: 193 GPa - Delivers structural stiffness in load-bearing applications.

Electrical Resistivity: ~0.72 µΩ·m - Suitable for applications needing moderate electrical resistance.

Together, these values support its use in everything from medical devices and marine equipment to food-grade processing systems and pressure vessels.

304L stainless steel is part of a broader family of 300-series alloys, each developed to meet specific performance demands across fabrication, strength, and corrosion resistance. While 304L remains the go-to choice for welded components in corrosive environments, alternative versions offer enhanced capabilities tailored to more specialised applications:

304H (High Carbon):
Contains 0.04–0.10% carbon to deliver improved strength and creep resistance at elevated temperatures. Often selected for heat exchangers, pressure vessels, and boiler systems.

304LN (Nitrogen-Enhanced):
Alloyed with nitrogen to increase yield strength and toughness without compromising corrosion resistance. Well-suited to cryogenic systems and applications requiring high mechanical strength.

304DDQ (Deep Drawing Quality):
Formulated for extreme formability. Commonly used in the production of sinks, cookware, and deep-drawn components.

304L Mod (Modified):
A tightly controlled version designed for specific process-critical applications, often in sectors like pharmaceuticals or electronics where consistent chemical composition is vital.