304 Stainless Steel
304 stainless steel is a common grade of stainless steel, also known as 18/8 stainless steel, which typically contains 18% chromium and 8% nickel. The unified numbering system (UNS) for 304 stainless steel is UNS S30400. In European standards, 304 stainless steel is represented as EN 1.4301.
Density of Stainless Steel 304
7.93 g/cm³ or 7930 kg/m³: The density of 304 stainless steel. It is commonly used in engineering calculations, design, and material selection.
0.286 lb/in³: In imperial units, the density of 304 stainless steel is 0.286 pounds per cubic inch.
Properties of 304 Stainless Steel
Chemical Composition:
| Element | Content Range (%) |
| Iron (Fe) | Balance |
| Chromium (Cr) | 18.0 – 20.0 |
| Nickel (Ni) | 8.0 – 10.5 |
| Carbon (C) | ≤ 0.08 |
| Manganese (Mn) | ≤ 2.00 |
| Silicon (Si) | ≤ 0.75 |
| Phosphorus (P) | ≤ 0.045 |
| Sulfur (S) | ≤ 0.030 |
- Chromium (Cr): Provides corrosion resistance and oxidation resistance, typically around 18%.
- Nickel (Ni): Improves the material’s ductility and corrosion resistance, typically around 8%.
- Carbon (C): Affects the material’s strength and hardness, with a low carbon content of generally less than 0.08%.
- Manganese (Mn): Enhances hardness and strength.
- Silicon (Si): Contributes to improved high-temperature and oxidation resistance.
Mechanical Properties of 304 Stainless Steel
| Property | Value (304 Stainless Steel) |
| Yield Strength | Minimum: 205 MPa |
| Tensile Strength | 505 – 745 MPa |
| Elongation | Minimum: 40% (for 50 mm standard specimen) |
| Hardness | Brinell Hardness (HB): 150 – 200 |
| Vickers Hardness (HV): 160 – 210 | |
| Impact Toughness | Excellent impact toughness, no brittleness at low temperatures |
| Modulus of Elasticity | 193 GPa |
| Shear Strength | 290 – 415 MPa |
| Fatigue Strength | Good fatigue resistance over long-term usage |
| Coefficient of Thermal Expansion | 16.0 x 10⁻⁶ /°C |
| High-Temperature Strength | Can be used in a temperature range of -196°C to 870°C |
Applications
304 stainless steel is widely used in food processing equipment, medical instruments, chemical industry equipment, construction structures, automotive components, household appliances, and many other fields, where strength, toughness, and corrosion resistance are essential.
Summary
304 stainless steel, with its excellent mechanical properties—especially high tensile strength, elongation, and good toughness—becomes an ideal choice for various high-performance structural materials, particularly in applications requiring corrosion resistance and high-temperature resistance.
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