Differences between 304 and 304N Stainless Steel

304 and 304N stainless steel are common stainless steel products with excellent physical and chemical properties, making them widely used in various applications. So, what are the differences between 304 and 304N stainless steel? In this article, we will further explore this question.

7 Differences between 304 and 304N Stainless Steel 

1. Composition

The most obvious difference between these grades of stainless steel is their composition. 304 stainless steel is an austenitic grade of alloy, while 304N is an austenitic grade of nitrogen-strengthened alloy. This means that 304N has higher tensile strength compared to other alloys in the same category. This makes it well-suited for applications where strength is crucial, such as in marine environments or manufacturing projects that require high-strength materials.

Another major difference between 304 and 304N stainless steel lies in their chemical composition. 304 stainless steel contains 18-20% chromium and 8-10% nickel, while 304N stainless steel contains 17-19% chromium and 8-9.5% nickel. The higher content of chromium and nickel in 304N stainless steel gives it superior corrosion resistance compared to 304 stainless steel.

2. Uses

Another major difference between 304 and 304N stainless steel is their different uses. Due to its increased tensile strength, stainless steel 304N is typically used in construction projects such as bridges or other large structures that must withstand heavy loads or harsh weather conditions. On the other hand, stainless steel 304 is often used in smaller-scale applications such as kitchenware or automotive parts because it is more ductile than similar materials.

3. Corrosion Resistance

In addition, when considering which type of alloy is best for your needs, you should take into account their respective levels of corrosion resistance. Generally speaking, both grades have sufficient corrosion resistance for most applications; however, if your application requires extra protection against rust or pitting, then you may need to choose SS304N because of its higher nickel content, which gives it more corrosion resistance than the standard grade SS304 alloy.

Due to their high content of chromium and nickel, both 304 and 304N stainless steels possess excellent corrosion resistance. However, 304N stainless steel has slightly better corrosion resistance due to its higher chromium content, making it the preferred choice for applications where corrosion resistance is crucial.

4. Tensile Strength

Another difference between these two types of stainless steel is their tensile strength. The minimum tensile strength of stainless steel 304 is 75 ksi. while the minimum tensile strength of stainless steel 304N is 85 ksi. This means that stainless steel 304N is stronger than stainless steel 304 and is ideal for applications that require high strength.

5. Yield strength

The yield strength of a material is the stress at which the material begins plastic deformation. The yield strength of 304 stainless steel is 30 ksi, while the yield strength of 304N stainless steel is 35 ksi. This means that stainless steel 304N can withstand higher stress without deformation compared to stainless steel 304.

6. Ductility

Ductility measures a material’s ability to deform under tensile stress. The ductility of stainless steel 304 is 40%, while the ductility of stainless steel 304N is 50%. This means that stainless steel 304N has greater ductility than stainless steel 304, making it more suitable for applications where ductility is crucial.

7. Cost

Finally, another important difference between these two types of stainless steel is their cost. Due to its lower nickel content, 304 stainless steel is typically less expensive than 304N stainless steel.

Conclusion

In summary, when deciding whether to use stainless steel 304 or SS304N alloy for your project, you should consider their respective composition and intended end use before making any final decisions. Although both materials have excellent corrosion resistance and strength, they possess unique characteristics that make them more suitable for certain jobs than other materials, depending on your specific requirements. Ultimately, by considering all these factors, you can ensure that you select the correct grade of stainless steel that is suitable for the needs of your project!

Why Choose Sino Stainless Steel?

If you are looking for suppliers and manufacturers of 304 and 304N stainless steel, we’d advise you to visit Sino Stainless Steel.

As a leading supplier of 304 stainless steel across the world, Sino Stainless Steel provides customers with high-quality 304 stainless steel, 409 Stainless Steel, 316 and 316L Stainless Steel,  201 and 202 Stainless Steel, Stainless Steel Hexagon Bars, Hot-rolled Stainless Steel Coils, Colored Stainless Steel Sheets, Stainless Steel Perforated Sheets, Stainless Steel Angle Bars, Cold-rolled Precision Stainless Steel Strips, Stainless Steel Wire, and Embossed Stainless Steel Plates at an extremely competitive price.