Grade 304/304L (UNS S30400/S30403, EN 1.4301/1.4307) is most widely used Austenitic stainless steel. It accounts for more than 50% of all stainless steel produced, represents between 50% and 60% of Australia's consumption of stainless materials and finds applications in almost every industry.

Grade 304L is a low carbon 304, which is a common practice for 304L to be dual certified as 304 and 304L. The low carbon chemistry of 304L combined with an addition of nitrogen enables 304L to meet the mechanical properties of 304. Grade 304L often used to avoid possible sensitization corrosion in welded components.

Grade 304/304L resists atmospheric corrosion, as well as, moderately oxidizing and reducing environments. It has excellent resistance to intergranular corrosion in the as-welded condition. Grade 304/304L has excellent strength and toughness at cryogenic temperatures.

Grade 304/304L is non-magnetic in the annealed condition, but can become slightly magnetic as a result of cold working or welding. It can be easily welded and processed by standard shop fabrication practices.

  Grade 304/304L may be considered for a wide variety of applications where one or more of the following properties are important:

• Corrosion Resistance
• Prevention of product contamination
• Resistance to oxidation
• Ease of fabrication
• Excellent formability
• Beauty of appearance
• Ease of cleaning
• High strength with low weight
• Good strength and toughness at cryogenic temperatures
• Ready availability of a wide range of product forms
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Grade 304/304L are available in a wide range of product forms including sheet, strip, and plate because of their ability to withstand the corrosive action of various acids. The typical applications for grade 304/304L include:

• Kitchen benches, such as preparation areas, work surfaces
• Food and Beverage processing, such as sinks, refrigerators, beer brewing, milk processing, wine making , cream dispensers and all types of dairy equipment
• Chemical containers
• Heat exchangers
• Architectural trim and molding
• Petrochemical and Petroleum Refining
• Woven or welded screens for mining, quarrying and water filtration
• Medical or Pharmaceutical Processing for environments such as clean rooms
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• ASTM A240M – Chromium and Chromium – Nickel Stainless Steel Plate, Sheet and Strip for Pressure Vessels and for General Applications.
• ASTM 480M – General Requirements for Flat Rolled Stainless and Heat-Resisting Steel Plate, Sheet and Strip
• EN 10088-2 (1.4301/1.4307) – Stainless Steel Technical delivery conditions for sheet, plate and strip of corrosion resisting steels for general purposes
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