All About 304 Stainless Steel: Composition, Properties, and Uses

304 stainless steel is a highly versatile material, renowned for its exceptional corrosion resistance and exceptional mechanical properties. It is widely used in various industries, from the food and beverage industry to the chemical processing industry, due to its exceptional corrosion resistance and ease of maintenance. In this article, we will delve into all about 304 stainless steel: composition, properties, and uses, exploring its unique characteristics and highlighting its many applications.

All About 304 Stainless Steel – 1. Composition, Properties, and Grades:

The chemical composition of 304 stainless steel is mainly iron Fe (about 67-71.5%), chromium Cr (about 17.5-19.5%) and nickel Ni (about 8-10.5%). Among them, chromium and nickel are important elements to improve the corrosion resistance and oxidation resistance of stainless steel. Chromium can form a stable passive film on the surface to protect the steel from external erosion, while nickel can enhance the stability and ductility of the passive film, improving the plasticity and toughness of stainless steel. 304 stainless steel also contains a small amount of carbon C (≤0.08%), manganese Mn (≤2.00%), silicon Si (≤1.00%), phosphorus P (≤0.045%), sulfur S (≤0.030%) and other elements, which have a certain impact on the mechanical properties and processing performance of stainless steel.

304 stainless steel is an American standard stainless steel grade, corresponding to the Japanese standard stainless steel grade SUS304, and corresponding to the Chinese national standard stainless steel grade 06Cr19Ni101. Different countries have slightly different requirements for the composition of 304 stainless steel, for example, China’s national standard GB/T 24511-2017 stipulates that the chemical composition ratio of 06Cr19Ni10 stainless steel containing chromium (CR) should be between 18.00% and 20.00%. The American ASTM A240 standard requires 17.5-19.5%.

All About 304 Stainless Steel – 2. Production Process:

304 stainless steel can be produced by hot rolling or cold rolling. Depending on the production process, it can be divided into semi-finished products or finished products such as hot-rolled plates, cold-drawn tubes, and cold-rolled strips. Hot-rolled plates are plates made from billets at high temperatures by rolling in a rolling mill, with good toughness and plasticity, suitable for processing thicker plates. Cold-drawn tubes are tubes made from hot-rolled plates or strips by stretching in a cold-drawing machine, with high precision and smoothness, suitable for processing thinner tubes. Cold-rolled strips are strips made from hot-rolled plates or strips by compressing in a cold-rolling machine, with high strength and hardness, suitable for processing thinner strips.

304 stainless steel can undergo various surface treatments to improve its aesthetics and corrosion resistance. Common surface treatment methods include polishing, electroplating, spraying, etching, and heat treatment. Polishing is the process of grinding the surface of stainless steel to a smooth finish, improving its gloss and flatness. It can be divided into mechanical polishing and chemical polishing; electroplating is the process of coating a layer of metal or non-metal film on the surface of stainless steel, improving its decorative and wear resistance.

It can be divided into gold plating, silver plating, copper plating, zinc plating, etc.; spraying is the process of spraying a layer of paint on the surface of stainless steel, improving its protective and thermal insulation properties. It can be divided into paint, plastic, rubber, etc.; etching is the process of using chemical or electrochemical methods to engrave patterns or text on the surface of stainless steel, improving its personalization and artistic quality; heat treatment is the process of changing the microstructure and mechanical properties of stainless steel by heating or cooling, improving its heat resistance and oxidation resistance.

All About 304 Stainless Steel – 3. 304 Stainless Steel Application Range:

304 stainless steel has good comprehensive performance and can be used in various temperature and environmental conditions. Generally speaking, the use temperature range of 304 stainless steel is -196℃～800℃, within this range, 304 stainless steel will not undergo significant deformation or damage. However, under certain special circumstances, 304 stainless steel will also be affected to some extent.

For example, in media containing chloride ions, 304 stainless steel will undergo pitting corrosion, resulting in localized corrosion; when heated to between 450℃～850℃ for a long time, 304 stainless steel will undergo intergranular corrosion, resulting in a decrease in strength; during cold processing, 304 stainless steel will undergo stress corrosion, resulting in cracking. Therefore, when using 304 stainless steel, appropriate process parameters and protective measures should be selected according to specific usage conditions.

All About 304 Stainless Steel – 4. The Use of 304 Stainless Steel:

304 stainless steel is widely used in various fields due to its excellent corrosion resistance and formability. For example, in the food and medical industry, 304 stainless steel can be used to make food containers, kitchenware, medical equipment, surgical instruments, etc., ensuring the hygiene and safety of food and medicine. In the industrial industry, 304 stainless steel can be used to make chemical equipment, petroleum equipment, paper-making equipment, nuclear power equipment, etc., ensuring the durability and stability of the equipment. In the furniture decoration industry, 304 stainless steel can be used to make furniture accessories, architectural decorations, lamps, etc., ensuring the beauty and durability of furniture and architecture.

All About 304 Stainless Steel – 5. Application Scenarios of 304 Stainless Steel Products:

304 stainless steel products are widely used in daily life. Here are some common usage scenarios:

1. Tableware: 304 stainless steel tableware is a common type of tableware, featuring corrosion resistance, wear resistance, easy cleaning, and color stability, making it suitable for the placement and use of various foods. 304 stainless steel tableware includes knives, forks, spoons, chopsticks, bowls, plates, cups, etc., and can be selected according to different foods and occasions. 304 stainless steel tableware should be cleaned and dried promptly before and after use to avoid stains or corrosion caused by residual food or water stains.
2. Cooking Utensils: 304 stainless steel kitchenware is a common kitchenware, which is characterized by high-temperature resistance, corrosion resistance, easy cleaning, non-stick pan, etc., and is suitable for various cooking methods and dishes. 304 stainless steel kitchenware includes pots, woks, frying pans, steamer, saucepans, soup pots, etc., which can be selected according to different cooking needs. 304 stainless steel kitchenware should be cleaned and dried promptly before and after use to avoid residual oil stains or scale causing stains or corrosion.
3. Medical Devices: 304 stainless steel medical equipment is a common medical device, with characteristics of corrosion resistance, disinfection resistance, non-toxic and tasteless, suitable for various medical operations and treatments. 304 stainless steel medical equipment includes surgical knives, surgical forceps, surgical needles, surgical trays, syringes, infusion sets, etc., which can be selected according to different medical purposes. 304 stainless steel medical equipment should be cleaned and disinfected in time before and after use to avoid cross-infection or cause infection.

All About 304 Stainless Steel – 6. Typical Cases of the Application of 304 Stainless Steel

1. Metal Sculpture: 304 stainless steel metal sculpture is a common art form with characteristics of corrosion resistance, weather resistance, and ease of plasticity, suitable for various indoor and outdoor decorations and displays. 304 stainless steel metal sculptures can be selected according to different themes and styles, with different shapes and colors, which can express various abstract or concrete images. During the production and installation process, care should be taken to protect the surface smoothness and integrity of 304 stainless steel metal sculptures, avoiding scratches or deformation.
2. Building Curtain Wall: 304 stainless steel building curtain wall is a common building material with characteristics of corrosion resistance, weather resistance, seismic resistance, sound insulation, etc., suitable for exterior and interior walls of various high-rise buildings. 304 stainless steel building curtain wall can be selected in different shapes and colors according to different architectural styles and functions, which can exhibit various modern or classical aesthetics. During the design and construction process, attention should be paid to ensuring the stability and safety of the structure to avoid falling off or collapsing.
3. Auto Parts: 304 stainless steel auto parts are a common type of automotive component, featuring corrosion resistance, wear resistance, and high-temperature resistance, and are suitable for various automotive engine, exhaust pipe, body, and other parts. 304 stainless steel auto parts can be selected according to different car models and performance, which can improve the power and efficiency of the car. During use and maintenance, 304 stainless steel auto parts should be kept clean and lubricated to avoid carbon buildup or rusting.

Conclusion

Thank you for reading our article and we hope you’ve enjoyed it. If you want to find more information about 304 stainless steel, we would advise you to visit Sino Stainless Steel.

As a leading supplier of stainless steel products, Sino Stainless Steel provides customers with high-quality stainless steel strips, stainless steel coils, stainless steel plates, stainless steel sheets, stainless steel bars, and stainless steel tubes at an extremely competitive price.