Stainless Steel 304 vs 304L – What’s the Difference?

In the family of stainless steel, 304 and 304L stainless steel are two very common and widely used materials. Despite their similar names, they have significant differences in composition and characteristics. So, stainless steel 304 vs 304l – what’s the difference? Below we will explore the characteristics of these two stainless steels in detail and their differences in application.

Stainless Steel 304 vs 304L – What’s the Difference?

When it comes to 304 and 304L stainless steel, there are some differences that need to be noted. Here is the detailed information about the differences between the two materials:

Stainless Steel 304 vs 304L – 1. Difference in chemical composition:

• 304 stainless steel: 304 stainless steel is a general-purpose stainless steel with a chemical composition consisting of 18% chromium (Cr) and 8% nickel (Ni), as well as other elements such as carbon (C), manganese (Mn), silicon (Si), and phosphorus (P).
• 304L stainless steel: 304L stainless steel is a low-carbon version of 304 stainless steel, with a chemical composition consisting of 18% chromium (Cr), 8% nickel (Ni), and up to 0.03% carbon (C), as well as other elements such as manganese (Mn), silicon (Si), and phosphorus (P).

Stainless Steel 304 vs 304L – 2. Difference in corrosion resistance:

• 304 stainless steel: 304 stainless steel has good corrosion resistance and is suitable for general corrosive environments, including exposure to atmospheric, freshwater, and some chemical substances.
• 304L stainless steel: Due to its low carbon content, 304L stainless steel has better corrosion resistance, particularly suitable for applications that avoid carbide precipitation and intergranular corrosion during welding.

Stainless Steel 304 vs 304L – 3. Model classification:

• Common types of 304 stainless steel: 304, 304H, 304N, etc.
• Common types of 304L stainless steel: 304L, 304LN, etc.

Stainless Steel 304 vs 304L – 4. Applications:

• The applications of 304 stainless steel: Due to its good corrosion resistance and mechanical properties, 304 stainless steel is widely used in food processing, chemical, pharmaceutical, construction, marine, and home decoration industries.
• The Applications of 304L stainless steel: 304L stainless steel is commonly used in applications requiring resistance to intergranular corrosion, such as welded components, containers, heat exchangers, chemical process equipment, and food processing equipment.

Conclusion

In summary, the main difference between 304 and 304L stainless steels lies in the difference in carbon content and the resulting differences in corrosion resistance and application areas. Therefore, when choosing which of the two stainless steels is suitable for our needs, we should consider specific engineering requirements, corrosion resistance requirements, and welding performance.

Thank you for reading our article and we hope it can help you to have a better understanding of the differences between stainless steel 304 vs 304l. If you want to learn more about stainless steel, we would advise you to visit Sino Stainless Steel for more information.

As a leading supplier of stainless steel products across the world, 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.