EN 10088-2 X2CrNi18-9 1.4307 Stainless Steel Plate

EN 10088-2 X2CrNi18-9 1.4307 stainless steel plate is an austenitic flat product supplied to EN 10088-2, the European standard for stainless steel sheet, plate and strip for general purposes. X2CrNi18-9 contains no more than 0.030 % carbon, 17.5 – 19.5 % chromium and 8.0 – 10.5 % nickel, and it is the low-carbon counterpart of 1.4301. The low carbon content keeps it resistant to intergranular corrosion after welding: EN 10088-2 Table 7 rates it “yes” both in the delivery condition and in the sensitized condition. The standard lists 1.4307 as cold rolled strip up to 8 mm, continuously hot rolled strip up to 13.5 mm and hot rolled plate up to 75 mm, all in the solution annealed condition, with finishes such as 1D for plate and 2B or 2R for cold rolled sheet.

SHH STEEL works as a steel sourcing partner with long-term relationships with Chinese stainless mills that roll austenitic CrNi hot rolled plate, coil and cold rolled sheet. For large tonnages, the buyer can contract directly with a suitable mill, with SHH STEEL assisting for a modest service fee and handling follow-up and documents. For small orders we consolidate demand, so that 1 – 5 t lots are placed against genuine mill production instead of stock of unknown origin. Each shipment can be released after third-party inspection by TUV, ABS, BV, DNV, CCS or an agency the buyer nominates, and payment by TT or LC is accepted. The rest of this page covers the technical side of EN 10088-2 1.4307 and the steps we take so that the sheet that arrives is the sheet that was ordered.

The table below lists the concerns buyers raise most often when sourcing EN 10088-2 X2CrNi18-9 sheet and plate from China, and how SHH STEEL deals with each of them.

1.4307 is the EN counterpart of UNS S30403, Type 304L, in ASTM A240 (see ASTM A240 Type 304L sheet and plate). For pressure equipment it is ordered to EN 10028-7; see EN 10028-7 1.4307 pressure vessel plate.

A heat can meet both 1.4307 and S30403 if chromium is 18.0 – 19.5 % and silicon at most 0.75 %. SUS304L needs at least 9.00 % nickel, which 1.4307 does not require. The ASTM values are from ASTM A240-22. SHH STEEL checks these overlaps when a buyer needs dual certification.

1.4307 is also listed in EN 10028-7:2016 for pressure purposes. That standard may set its own test and property requirements, which we have not reproduced here.

Edition note: the values on this page are taken from EN 10088-2:2014. A revised edition (EN 10088-2:2024) has since been published. If your contract names the newer edition, SHH STEEL checks the order against that text before production, and any difference is raised at the quotation stage rather than after rolling.

The 1.4307 chemical composition below is the cast (heat) analysis from EN 10088-2:2014 Table 1. Values are percentages by mass; a single figure is a maximum.

The 0.030 % carbon limit is what separates 1.4307 from 1.4301; it is the basis of its resistance to intergranular corrosion after welding. Footnote b to Table 1 permits controlled sulphur ranges: 0.015 – 0.030 % for machinability, 0.008 – 0.015 % for weldability, and 0.015 % max. for polishability. SHH STEEL checks carbon, chromium and nickel on every certificate as part of the 1.4307 chemical composition review.

Product analysis tolerances (EN 10088-2 Table 5)

A product analysis is a check made on the delivered sheet. It is not mandatory under EN 10088-2; it is carried out when agreed at the time of enquiry and order, and SHH STEEL can arrange it through a partner laboratory. The permissible tolerances on the cast limits are:

Where several product analyses are made on one cast, individual results may exceed the maximum or fall below the minimum, but not both for the same element. If a product analysis is required, it should be stated in the order together with the Table 5 tolerances.

The 1.4307 mechanical properties below are the room-temperature values from EN 10088-2:2014 Table 7 for austenitic steels in the solution annealed condition. Test pieces are transverse; the A80 elongation applies below 3 mm and the proportional elongation A from 3 mm.

Rp1.0 values are for guidance only. For continuously hot rolled products, 20 MPa higher minimum Rp0.2 and 10 MPa higher Rp1.0 may be agreed. For strip in rolling widths below 300 mm tested longitudinally, the minimum proof strength is reduced by 15 MPa and elongation by 5 % (constant gauge) or 2 % (proportional gauge). For bigger sizes than those listed, mechanical values are to be agreed.

Table 7 rates 1.4307 resistance to intergranular corrosion (EN ISO 3651-2) as “yes” in both the delivery and the sensitized condition.

Cold worked condition (process route 2H)

EN 10088-2 Tables 19 and 20 list no cold worked (2H) strength levels for 1.4307, so the grade is ordered in the solution annealed condition (+AT). Where a higher strength is needed, 1.4301 (all levels +C700 to +C1300) or the nitrogen-alloyed grades are the usual options.

Minimum proof strength at elevated temperature (EN 10088-2 Table 12, +AT)

EN 10088-2 Table 12 gives values from 100 °C to 550 °C for this grade, for the solution annealed condition (+AT). They are minimum values for design and are not tested unless agreed.

EN 10088-2 Table A.1 gives the following guideline temperatures for 1.4307:

The footnotes to Table A.1 state that with a continuous furnace the upper part of the range is usually preferred or even exceeded, and that the lower end of the range should be aimed at when the heat treatment is part of further processing, because otherwise the mechanical properties may be affected. Solution annealing may be omitted if hot working and cooling achieve the required mechanical properties and resistance to intergranular corrosion.

The Euro Inox tables give the same 1 000 – 1 100 °C range with cooling in air or water. Plate is delivered solution annealed (+AT) and pickled for the 1D finish; we check the condition on each certificate.

The values below are approximate reference figures for X2CrNi18-9 at room temperature, from the worldstainless “Tables of Technical Properties”, which follow EN 10088-1. They are suitable for design estimates and weight calculation; where a figure is critical, use EN 10088-1 itself.

The table reproduced by the steel stockholder Häuselmann from EN 10088-1 lists 1.4307 as not magnetisable and gives a modulus that falls from 200 GPa at 20 °C to 186 GPa at 200 °C. Thermal expansion is higher and conductivity lower than for ferritic grades, which matters for welding distortion.

1.4307 has the general corrosion resistance of the 18-8 austenitic steels. The Euro Inox fabrication tables describe it as similar to 1.4301 and resistant to intergranular corrosion. EN 10088-2 Table 7 rates its resistance to intergranular corrosion, tested to EN ISO 3651-2, as “yes” both in the delivery condition and in the sensitized condition.

Where a higher nickel content is wanted for forming or nitric acid service, EN 10088-2 1.4306 plate is the related grade.

As EN 10088-2 notes, corrosion resistance depends strongly on the environment and cannot always be judged from laboratory tests, so experience with the grade in similar service should be used.

1.4307 is readily weldable by the common processes, and its low carbon content makes it the usual choice for welded plate, especially in heavier thicknesses.

• The Euro Inox fabrication tables rate TIG/MIG, manual metal arc, resistance and autogenous welding as suitable for 1.4307.
• Filler materials listed are 1.4307, 1.4316 and 1.4551.
• No preheat is listed in those tables.
• EN 10088-2 does not specify welding procedures; these are published guidelines and general practice.

These points reflect industry practice for austenitic CrNi stainless steels rather than requirements of EN 10088-2, which does not specify welding procedures. In the SHH STEEL workshop, blanks and slit strips are cut with clean, burr-free edges so that seam, spot and tube welding run without edge preparation problems.

Annealed 1.4307 has very good formability and can be bent, rolled and pressed with standard austenitic practice. It work-hardens during forming, so forces are higher than for carbon steel and springback should be allowed for.

Thick plate is cut by plasma or waterjet, and thinner sheet by laser or shearing. Machining needs sharp tools and positive feeds to avoid work hardening at the cut.

We run our own workshop next to the warehouse, so 1.4307 hot rolled plate and X2CrNi18-9 plate blanks can be delivered cut to size, sawn, laser-cut or bent. Details are on our steel cutting services and bending and forming services pages.

1.4307 is listed in EN 10088-2 as cold rolled strip, continuously hot rolled strip and hot rolled plate.

EN 10088-2 Table 7 gives mechanical values for hot rolled plate up to 75 mm; for bigger sizes the mechanical values shall be agreed at the time of enquiry and order. Under section 6.9 of the standard, EN ISO 18286 normally applies only to individually rolled quarto plate, while continuously rolled material follows EN ISO 9444-2.

SHH STEEL can supply 1.4307 hot rolled plate, coil and cut sheet, and 1.4307 cold rolled sheet and coil, in standard sizes or cut to your drawing.

Surface finish is ordered by the process route symbols of EN 10088-2 Table 6; trade names from ASTM and JIS are shown for reference. Not every route is available for every grade, and the mill confirms which ones it can supply.

The No.1, No.4 and BA cross-references follow worldstainless and IMOA comparison tables; EN 10088-2 itself defines only the EN symbols, and not every route is available for every grade. Special finishes such as 1J and 2J apply to one surface unless otherwise agreed. For plate, 1.4307 1D is the normal delivery finish.

The usual 1.4307 equivalent, and the answer to most 304L equivalent enquiries, is UNS S30403.

For ASME pressure work the same grade is ordered as ASME SA-240 304L plate. 1.4306 is the other EN grade often matched to 304L; it has more nickel and chromium.

1.4307 vs 1.4306 and 1.4301

Compared with EN 10088-2 1.4306 plate, 1.4307 has less nickel (8.0 – 10.5 % against 10.0 – 12.0 %) and slightly less chromium; the two have the same Table 7 properties. Compared with EN 10088-2 1.4301 plate, it has lower carbon and a slightly lower minimum proof strength (200 against 210 MPa for plate), but stays resistant to intergranular corrosion after sensitization, where 1.4301 is rated “no”.

Typical applications of 1.4307 plate and sheet, based on its general corrosion resistance and weldability, include:

• Welded tanks and storage vessels
• Food, dairy and beverage equipment
• Chemical process equipment
• Heat exchanger and pipework fabrication
• Architectural and structural parts that are welded
• Pressure parts (to EN 10028-7)

For pressure equipment, 1.4307 plate is ordered to EN 10028-7; for other uses, EN 10088-2 applies.

The Euro Inox tables describe 1.4307 as similar in use to 1.4301, with the added resistance to intergranular corrosion. SHH STEEL can advise when 1.4307 or 1.4301 is the better choice for a fabrication.

For 1.4307 the main risks are substitution with 1.4301, the wrong finish and tolerance mismatches on thick plate.

None of these steps is complicated, but they need to be agreed at the start. When you send an enquiry, tell us which of these points matters most to you, and the order will be built around it.

Every 1.4307 order is supported by documents and checks that make the material traceable to the heat:

• Cast analysis with carbon, chromium and nickel checked
• Tensile test (transverse) to Table 7
• Impact test for plate over 10 mm when agreed
• Intergranular corrosion test to EN ISO 3651-2 when agreed
• Thickness, flatness and surface inspection
• Additional checks through our third-party testing service: PMI, dimensional, flatness and surface inspection

If the order does not name an inspection document, EN 10088-2 requires only a test report 2.2. Because this is rarely enough for welded fabrication or export work, SHH STEEL supplies an EN 10204 3.1 inspection certificate as standard and a 3.2 certificate when an independent inspector (TUV, ABS, BV, DNV, CCS or an agency you nominate) witnesses testing and countersigns the document.

Ordering example and lead time

Following the pattern of the example in EN 10088-2, a typical order line would read: 10 plates, 12 mm × 2 000 mm × 6 000 mm, EN ISO 18286, EN 10088-2, steel X2CrNi18-9 (1.4307), process route 1D, inspection certificate 3.1 to EN 10204. Mill production lead time is generally 30 – 40 days from order confirmation, depending on the rolling schedule, the size and the tests requested. Consolidated small lots follow the same mill schedule, and we send progress updates at rolling, testing and packing.

• Mill relationships: long-term cooperation with Chinese stainless mills helps us secure competitive pricing and steadier delivery for 1.4307 and related austenitic grades.
• Direct mill contracts: for larger tonnages you can contract directly with a suitable mill, for a modest service fee, while we handle follow-up and documents.
• Order consolidation: 1 – 5 t lots are combined so they can be placed against genuine mill production.
• Own workshop: slitting, cut-to-length, laser cutting, bending and protective film before shipment.
• Inspection and certificates: third-party inspection by TUV, ABS, BV, DNV, CCS or your nominated agency, with EN 10204 3.1 or 3.2 certificates.
• Flexible payment: TT, LC or a combination of both.
• Port logistics: coil and sheet are packed seaworthy with heat-number labels and shipped through our worldwide shipping service, together with other grades if needed.

As a 1.4307 plate supplier SHH STEEL also stocks and sources the wider range of stainless steel sheets and plates, so mixed orders of different stainless grades can travel in one container with one set of paperwork.

EN 10088-2 X2CrNi18-9 1.4307 is the low-carbon 304L-type austenitic steel, supplied as hot rolled plate up to 75 mm and as cold rolled sheet, for welded equipment that must resist intergranular corrosion. Choosing it is the easy part. Getting genuine material that matches the certificate, in the gauge and finish your parts need and on a predictable schedule, is where a sourcing partner earns its place, and that is the work SHH STEEL does every day through long-term mill cooperation, consolidation and its own workshop.

The next step is simple. Send SHH STEEL your drawing, or an enquiry with the quantity, thickness, width, finish and delivery destination, and we will judge whether a direct mill contract or consolidation with processing fits your order better, and quote accordingly. Send your sizes and quantities for a quotation.