Stainless Steel Alloy 304
Stainless steel alloy 304 is an extremely popular low-cost alloy, ideal for parts that require forming or welding. It has excellent corrosion, oxidation, and heat resistance and is the most weldable of any steel alloy. 304 is not magnetic.
304 has a machining cost factor of 5.0 when compared to steel 12L14. It is excellent for welding and produces tough and ductile welds. 304 does not respond to heat treatment, but can be cold worked to increase tensile strength and hardness. Annealing is recommended after forging and cold working.
Industries & Applications
- Bolts and nuts
- Screw
- Instrumentation
- Automotive components
- Aerospace components
Stainless Steel 304 Characteristics
|
TEMPER |
Yield Strength |
Ultimate Tensile Strength |
Modulus of Elasticity |
Brinell Hardness (500kg/10mm) |
|
Annealed |
35 |
86 |
29,000 |
170 |
|
1/2 Hard |
130 |
170 |
29,000 |
|
|
1/4 Hard |
86 |
140 |
29,000 |
|
Stainless Steel Cost Comparison
| Type | General Characteristics | Alloy | Common Applications | Tolerances for a 1/2" Dia. Bar | Material Cost Factor | Machining Cost Factor |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stainless Steel |
Better weldability and formability, slightly more corrosion resistant
|
304 |
Applications needing formability or weldability
|
Cold finished +/-.002 |
3.7 | 5.0 |
Common Material Cost Comparison
| Type | General Characteristics | Alloy | Common Applications | Tolerances for a 1/2" Dia. Bar | Material Cost Factor | Machining Cost Factor |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steel |
Designed for excellent machinability. Case hard only
|
12L14 |
Endless commercial products; probably more pounds used in turned products than any other bar stock
|
Cold drawn 0 |
1 | 1 |
| Stainless Steel |
Designed for machining, non-magnetic
|
303 |
Electronic hardware, automotive, aerospace, medical instruments, and many applications requiring corrosion resistance
|
Cold finished +/- .002 |
1.9 | 2.7 |
| Brass |
Strength, corrosion and wear resistance, and excellent machinability
|
C35300 |
Well suited for parts with knurling or threading
|
+0015 | 3.5 | .07 |
| Aluminum |
Designed for machining
|
2011 |
Electronic hardware, endless commercial products
|
Cold finish +/-.0015 |
3.8 | .6 |
| Titanium |
High strength, light weight, good bio-compatibility
|
Ti-6Al-4VEli |
Medical implants
|
Ground & polished +/-.002 |
30.2 | 6 |
To review our Machining Materials Guide, please click here.
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