Description
The 304 / 304L grade of austenitic chromium-nickel 304 stainless steel tube is among the most versatile and widely used stainless steel products. Type 304 / 304L stainless steel is a very low carbon steel that exhibits excellent corrosion resistance. Also, it offers superior resistance to intergranular corrosion following welding or stress relieving. Besides, the 304 and 304L type grades exhibit good machinability and excellent weld-ability characteristics with or without filler metals.
304 Stainless Steel Tube Properties
Below are the properties of 304 / 304L stainless steel tube offered by Arch City Steel & Alloy, Inc.:
- Tough metallic properties
- High corrosion protection
- High temperature resistance
- Ability to be sterilized
- High workability and machinability
- Easily welded by all commercial processes
- Resultant weld has good toughness and ductility
- High annealing range, between 1850° and 2050°F
- Non-magnetic in the annealed condition
- Not hardened by heat treatment
- Hardness and tensile strength can be increased by cold working
- Cold working may cause slight magnetism
- Good wall tolerance and straightness tolerance
- Cost-effective choice for most applications
Applications of 304 Stainless Steel Tube
304 Stainless Steel Tube is most suited for applications where superior strength and excellent corrosion resistance is required. 304 / 304L stainless steel seamless tube is widely accepted in food processing, water treatment, petrochemical, dairy, and chemical industries for moving fluids and gases. Welded 304 / 304L stainless steel tube is ideally used for posts, and poles as well as handrails, in exterior and marine applications. 304 / 304L tube finds extensive use in applications requiring welding, machining, grinding, forming, and polishing.
Because of their durable mill finish and interior welded seam, these tubes are widely used for projects that are exposed to chemical, acidic elements, fresh water, and salt water environments.
304 Stainless Steel Tube Chemical Composition
| Typical Chemical Composition % (max values, unless noted) | |||||||
| Weight % | Carbon (C) | Manganese (Mn) | Phosphorus (P) | Sulfur (S) | Silicon (Si) | Chromium (Cr) | Nickel (Ni) |
| 304 | .08 | 2.00 | .045 | .030 | 1.00 | 18.0-20.0 | 8.0-11.0 |
| 304L | .035 | 2.00 | .045 | .030 | 1.00 | 18.0-20.0 | 8.0-13.0 |
304 Stainless Steel Tube Mechanical Properties
| Typical Room Temperature Mechanical Properties | ||||
| Type | UTS KSI (MPA) | 0.2% YS KSI (MPA) | Elongation% in 2ʺ(50.8 mm) | HardnessRockwell |
| 304 | 90 (621) | 42 (290) | 55 | B82 |
| 304L | 85 (586) | 35 (241) | 55 | B80 |
When a job calls for 304 stainless steel tube, the grade you choose decides how the system holds up under corrosion and years of hard service. Pick the wrong grade and the cost shows up later, in failed welds and early replacement. Arch City Steel & Alloy stocks 304 and 304L stainless steel tube in the diameters and wall thicknesses most projects need, and our team knows how these grades behave in food processing, water treatment, petrochemical, and marine service. That know-how keeps you from paying for a specification mistake. Ready for numbers? Request a quote on 304 stainless steel tube and we will match the material to your exact specs.
