For 2025, 304L plate remains the most cost-effective austenitic stainless choice for welded and general-purpose applications. Price levels are lower than the 2021–2022 metal-shock peak but remain sensitive to nickel and chromium raw-material swings; geographically, China spot and mill prices are typically the most competitive, Europe commands a premium tied to alloy-surcharges and logistics, and U.S. physical/retail sheet pricing is higher at small quantities. We recommend buying by tonne from a reputable mill/stockist when volume allows, and specifying dual-certified 304/304L plate if your project may require either grade.
What is 304L
We treat 304L as the low-carbon variant of the ubiquitous 304 austenitic stainless family. The practical difference is the maximum carbon content: 304 ≤0.08% C, while 304L ≤0.03% C. That lower carbon reduces carbide precipitation during welding and lowers the need for post-weld annealing in many applications.
Why specify 304L instead of 304?
We usually recommend 304L when:
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Extensive welding is required and post-weld anneal is impractical.
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The service environment risks intergranular corrosion after welding (e.g., hot, chloride-containing atmospheres).
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Code or client documents call for an “L” grade or dual certification.
Mechanically, 304L has slightly lower yield and tensile values than 304, but for most structural and vessel uses the difference is not limiting; the corrosion and fabrication benefits justify that small strength trade-off in many projects.
Chemical & mechanical snapshot
Typical composition (representative): Cr ~18–20%, Ni ~8–12%, C ≤0.03% for 304L, with small allowances for Mn, Si, P, S. Typical mechanical minima for ASTM A240 plate: tensile ≈ 485–515 MPa, yield (0.2% offset) ≈ 170–205 MPa, elongation ≈ 40% depending on thickness and certification. These numbers are consistent with common mill certificates for A240 304/304L plate.
Corrosion behavior: where 304L excels and where it doesn’t
We separate real-world guidance into zones:
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Excellent: atmospheric conditions, food processing (non-chloride), hygienic equipment, interior architectural cladding.
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Good but cautious: mildly chlorinated waters, moderate chemical exposure — watch pitting risk at elevated chloride concentrations.
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Avoid/upgrade: marine splash zones, concentrated chloride solutions at high temperature — consider 316/316L or duplex grades.
Use corrosion-resistance charts and specify surface finish and post-fabrication passivation for best life. (General stainless properties summarized by industry sources).
Fabrication and welding best practices
We recommend:
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When welding 304/304L, use filler metal matching the parent (commonly ER308L/ER308) to minimize sensitization.
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If design allows, select dual-certified 304/304L plate, which gives flexibility: it satisfies strength and composition requirements for both specs. Dual certified stock is widely available.
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Avoid unnecessary heating in the range where chromium carbides form; the “L” grade reduces but does not eliminate this risk.
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If the finished assembly must hold aggressive chlorides or be used at ≥50°C in presence of chlorides, prefer 316L or a higher-alloy solution.
Typical forms, thicknesses, finishes & tolerances
Common mill-produced 304L plate formats we sell or specify at Luokaiwei:
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Thickness: from 1.5 mm (thin plate) up to 150 mm (heavy plate); most common stock is 1.5–25 mm.
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Sheet sizes: typical mill widths 1,250 / 1,500 / 2,000 mm; lengths cut to order.
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Finishes: 2B mill (cold-rolled), BA/mirror for decorative, #4 brushed for architectural and hygienic uses, dull mill for welded fabrication.
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Tolerances follow ASTM/EN standards and mill certs — always request mill test reports (MTRs) with dimensions and hardness.
Retail vendors (U.S.) also sell cut sizes and fast turnaround for small-quantity buyers; this convenience comes at a higher unit price.
Standards and codified specifications
Common referenced standards:
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ASTM A240 / ASME SA-240 — plate and sheet stainless steel for pressure vessels and general use.
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EN 10088 / ISO 15510 equivalents — for European and global interchangeability.
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UNS S30403 — unified numbering for 304L.
Always specify the required standard in the PO (e.g., “ASTM A240 Type 304L, full MTR to EN 10204 3.1” or equivalent). This prevents mis-interpretation at the mill and in customs.
2025 market dynamics: what moved price this year
In 2025 the stainless plate market shows these themes (short list):
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Raw material influence: nickel and chromium feedstock prices remain the dominant drivers for austenitic grades. Nickel volatility translates quickly into per-tonne surcharges. Industry pricing services and mills publish regular surcharges and indices.
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Regional disparity: China capacity and domestic competition often yield the lowest landed mill prices; Europe’s integrated mills plus energy and alloy surcharges cause a persistent premium; North American small-volume retail markets show the highest per-unit prices for buyers purchasing cut pieces.
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Logistics & inventory: freight cost normalization since 2023 eased one major premium, but container/freight spikes still appear seasonally. Buyers placing multi-month contracts typically obtain better pricing than spot buyers.
Global price comparison
Important: stainless prices fluctuate daily. The table below gives indicative ranges for 304/304L hot-rolled or plate equivalents as observed from public mill/market reporting in 2025. Use these numbers for procurement planning, not for firm buying. Sources are cited below the table.
| Region | Indicative price (per tonne) | Typical unit / note |
|---|---|---|
| China (mill/spot) | USD $1,700 – $2,200 / t | Chinese mill quotes and spot reports show highly competitive band; local CNY lists (e.g., TISCO) often reported in CNY/ton. |
| Europe (mill & service center) | USD $2,100 – $2,800 / t | MEPS world averages and European surcharges push a premium; small orders pay more. |
| USA (small/retail & cut-to-size) | USD $2,300 – $3,500 / t (retail) | Retail sellers and cut-to-size stock (MetalsDepot, Midwest) have higher per-ton equivalent for small orders. Large mill lots lower unit cost. |
| India (domestic market) | USD $1,900 – $2,400 / t (local market) | Indian rolling and trading prices vary; mid-market range sourced from Indian price summaries and local distributors. |
How we produced the table: ranges are derived from mill price bulletins, market reports and stockist listings (see sources). Use these as negotiation anchors rather than firm offers.
Why prices differ between regions
We find the following levers explain most of the spread:
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Alloy surcharges (Ni, Cr, Mo) applied by mills; set monthly by producers.
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Production cost base (energy, labor, scrap availability).
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Logistics and duties — import tariffs and inland freight.
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Order size & cutting/processing — small buyers pay a premium for value-added services.
How Luokaiwei quotes 304L plate (practical notes)
When we quote 304L plate for international buyers we include:
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Base price in USD/ton or per sheet (depending on buyer preference).
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Alloy surcharge line (if applicable) and the index used (e.g., nickel LME average for month).
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Delivery term: EXW / FOB / CIF / DAP options.
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Documentation: MTR (EN 10204 3.1 / 3.2 available on request), chemical & mechanical certificate, finish confirmation.
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Lead time: stock vs mill make — stock is faster but limited sizes; full mill production typically 3–8 weeks depending on thickness and order size.
Procurement and risk-reduction tips
We recommend buyers:
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Request dual-certified 304/304L where strength and weldability flexibility helps procurement.
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Ask for MTRs and third-party inspection for critical projects.
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Bundle orders or use framework contracts to lock a price and reduce freight/cut-to-size premiums.
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Specify finish and passivation if part is cosmetic or hygiene-critical.
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Clarify acceptance testing (UT, PMI, pitting tests) up front to avoid disputes at arrival.
Inspection & testing on delivery
Inspections we recommend on arrival:
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MTR verification against purchase order.
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Visual surface inspection for laminations, pickling defects or rolling marks.
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Thickness and dimensional checks.
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Positive Material Identification (PMI) for high-value projects.
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Non-destructive testing (UT) for critical structural plate projects.
FAQs
Q1: Is 304L more expensive than 304?
A: Not intrinsically — base mill price between 304 and 304L is often similar; differences come from certification, alloy surcharges, and whether the plate is dual-certified. Dual-certified 304/304L stock may cost slightly more but removes specification risk.
Q2: Can I weld 304 instead of 304L if I have to?
A: You can if you control heat input and post-weld treatment; however, for long weld seams or critical corrosion resistance, 304L is the safer choice because it reduces carbide precipitation risk.
Q3: How should I buy to get the best price?
A: Buy large lots from mills or authorised service centres, consolidate orders, accept standard mill widths and finishes, and negotiate monthly alloy surcharge caps where possible.
Q4: What documentation should I demand?
A: Mill Test Reports (EN 10204 3.1/3.2), chemical & mechanical certificates, and any NDT or PMI reports required by your design code. Ensure the MTR references the exact ASTM/EN standard called out in your PO.
Q5: When should I upgrade to 316L or duplex?
A: Upgrade if the service involves sustained chloride contact at elevated temperature, marine splash zones, or if pitting/crevice corrosion risk is high. Duplex gives higher strength at similar corrosion resistance for many chloride environments.
