304 Stainless Steel Plate
We offer this product and related grades with 100% factory direct pricing and free quotes available within 24 hours.
APPLICATION SCENARIOS
OUR ADVANTAGE
Certificate of Honor
PARTNER
Our Factory
304 stainless steel plate combines 18% chromium and 8% nickel in an austenitic structure, delivering:
-
Universal corrosion resistance (PREN ≥19)
-
Exceptional formability & weldability
-
Cryogenic-to-moderate temperature stability (-200°C to 870°C)
-
Hygienic non-porous surface (RA ≤0.5μm polished)
Compliance: ASTM A240/A480, EN 10088-2, JIS G4304
Key Properties at a Glance
Table 1: Chemical Composition (Weight %)
| Element | 304 (S30400) | 304L (S30403) | 316 (S31600) | Function |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chromium (Cr) | 18.0–20.0 | 18.0–20.0 | 16.0–18.0 | Passive layer |
| Nickel (Ni) | 8.0–10.5 | 8.0–12.0 | 10.0–14.0 | Austenite stability |
| Carbon (C) | ≤0.08 | ≤0.03 | ≤0.08 | Weldability |
| Manganese (Mn) | ≤2.00 | ≤2.00 | ≤2.00 | Work hardening |
| Molybdenum (Mo) | – | – | 2.0–3.0 | Chloride resistance |
| PREN<sup>①</sup> | 19–22 | 19–22 | 24–26 | Corrosion index |
*① PREN = %Cr + 3.3×%Mo + 16×%N (304/304L Mo=0)*
Table 2: Mechanical Properties by Condition
| Property | Annealed | 1/4 Hard | 1/2 Hard | Cold Rolled |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tensile (MPa) | 515–720 | 860–1000 | 1000–1200 | 1200–1500 |
| Yield (MPa) | 205–310 | 515–690 | 690–860 | 960–1200 |
| Elongation (%) | 40–60 | 25–35 | 15–25 | 5–15 |
| Hardness (HV) | 130–180 | 210–260 | 260–310 | 310–400 |
| Magnetism | Non-magnetic | Slightly mag | Magnetic | Strongly mag |
Critical Application Matrix
| Industry | Typical Use Cases | Recommended Thickness | Surface Finish |
|---|---|---|---|
| Food & Beverage | Tanks, conveyors, cutting tables | 1.5–6.0 mm | #4 Polish (Ra 0.4μm) |
| Architecture | Elevator cladding, column covers | 0.8–3.0 mm | BA/No.8 Mirror |
| Chemical | Storage tanks, reactor liners | 6.0–50 mm | 2B/No.1 Mill Finish |
| Medical | Sterilization trays, equipment housings | 1.0–2.5 mm | Electropolished |
| Transport | Railcar interiors, ship galleys | 3.0–8.0 mm | Hairline (HL) |
Luokaiwei’s Manufacturing Excellence
-
Material Sourcing:
-
Virgin slabs from POSCO/TISCO with traceable heats
-
Low inclusion control: ≤ASTM E45 A0.5
-
-
Hot Rolling:
-
Reheating: 1250°C → Roughing → Finish rolling at 850°C
-
Thickness: 3.0–200 mm (width ≤3,500 mm)
-
-
Cold Rolling:
-
Annealing: 1010–1120°C H₂/N₂ atmosphere
-
Skin-pass rolling: 0.5–3.0% elongation
-
-
Surface Finishing:
Code Description Roughness (Ra) Application 2B Bright annealed 0.1–0.3 μm General industrial No.4 Brushed directional 0.4–0.8 μm Food/architecture BA Mirror-reflective ≤0.05 μm Decorative HL Unidirectional satin 0.2–0.5 μm Elevator panels -
Quality Control:
-
Flatness: ≤1.5mm/m (ASTM A480)
-
Eddy current testing for defects
-
Intergranular corrosion test (ASTM A262 E)
-
Fabrication Guidelines
✅ Best Practices:
-
Cutting:
-
Plasma (thickness ≤40mm), waterjet (>40mm)
-
Laser: N₂ assist for oxide-free edges
-
-
Welding:
-
Filler: ER308L for 304; ER347 for 304L
-
Gas: 98% Ar + 2% O₂ (GTAW), 90% He + 7.5% Ar + 2.5% CO₂ (GMAW)
-
-
Forming:
-
Min bend radius = 1.0×T (Annealed), 3.0×T (Cold rolled)
-
⚠️ Critical Restrictions:
-
Avoid: Temperatures 425–860°C (carbide precipitation)
-
Not Recommended: Marine piling, chloride-rich chemical processes
5 Essential FAQs
Q1: When should I choose 304L over 304?
A: For:
-
Welded structures >6mm thickness
-
Services below -150°C
-
Strong oxidizing acids (e.g., HNO₃)
Q2: Can 304 plates handle coastal environments?
A: Limited to low-splash zones. For severe marine exposure:
| Environment | Recommended Upgrade |
|---|---|
| Coastal architecture | 316L (PREN 24-26) |
| Offshore structures | 2205 duplex (PREN 34+) |
Q3: What’s your maximum plate size?
A:
| Thickness | Max Width | Max Length |
|---|---|---|
| 0.3–10 mm | 1,500 mm | 6,000 mm |
| 10–50 mm | 3,500 mm | 12,000 mm |
| 50–200 mm | 2,500 mm | 6,000 mm |
Q4: How does pricing compare to carbon steel?
| Material | Price Index | Lifetime Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Carbon Steel | 1.0 | 3.0 (high maintenance) |
| 304 Stainless | 5.0 | 1.0 (low corrosion) |
| 316 Stainless | 7.5 | 0.8 (harsh environments) |
Q5: Do you provide certified plates for pressure vessels?
A: Yes – with:
-
ASME Sec II Part A compliance
-
PED 2014/68/EU Module H certification
-
100% UT testing per EN 10160
Why Choose Luokaiwei?
-
Global Capacity:
-
20,000+ tons annual plate production
-
5 continuous annealing lines
-
-
Value-Added Services:
Service Capability Tolerance Laser Cutting 4kW fiber laser (0.5–40 mm) ±0.1 mm Waterjet Cutting 600 MPa (200 mm thick) ±0.2 mm Press Braking 2,500-ton force ±0.5° bend angle -
Certifications:
-
ISO 9001/14001/45001
-
NORSOK M-650 (Oil & Gas)
-
FDA CFR 21 Compliant
-
Order Your 304 Stainless Plates Today!
✅ Stock Dimensions: 1.0/2.0/3.0/5.0/10.0 mm × 1,500×6,000 mm
✅ Lead Time: 7 days (stock), 30 days (custom)
✅ MOQ: 1 ton (standard), 500 kg (polished)
Contact Luokaiwei:
📧 sales@luokaiweipipe.com
📱 +86 18912200505
