AISI 304 Stainless Steel Plate | 304 China steel mill-Direct Supply
What is AISI 304 Stainless Steel Plate?
As a professional China steel mill-Direct Supply and stainless steel plate supplier, SHH STEEL is pleased to present AISI 304 Stainless Steel Plate.
AISI 304 (UNS S30400) is the most widely used austenitic stainless steel in the world. It contains approximately 18% chromium and 8% nickel, providing an outstanding combination of corrosion resistance, formability, weldability and toughness. The grade is non-magnetic in the annealed condition and offers excellent performance in a wide range of atmospheric, chemical and food-related environments.
AISI 304 is the standard choice for countless applications including kitchen equipment, food processing, chemical containers, architectural panels, tanks, piping and general fabrication. Its balanced properties and broad availability make it the first material considered for many stainless steel projects.
SHH STEEL supplies AISI 304 as true China steel mill-Direct Supply, sourcing directly from major Chinese stainless steel mills. This model delivers competitive mill pricing, consistent quality, complete heat traceability and reliable delivery. SHH STEEL offers AISI 304 in plate, sheet and coil form across a practical range of thicknesses and surface finishes.
AISI 304 is frequently compared with a240 304l, a240 316l, a240 301 and a240 201 when selecting the most suitable austenitic grade for a specific project. SHH STEEL provides technical support to help customers make the correct material choice.
Material Specification
| Specification Element | Requirement | SHH STEEL Compliance |
|---|---|---|
| Grade | AISI 304 / UNS S30400 | Confirmed |
| Related Standards | ASTM A240, ASME SA240, JIS G4305 (SUS304), EN 1.4301 | Available |
| Product Form | Plate, Sheet, Coil | Available |
| Delivery Condition | Solution Annealed | Standard |
| Thickness Range | 0.4 mm – 100 mm (thicker available on request) | Custom sizes supported |
| Width | Up to 2000–3000 mm | Available |
| Length | Up to 12000 mm or coil / cut-to-length | Available |
| Surface Finish | 2B, BA, No.1, No.4, HL, Polished, Mirror | Available |
| Certification | EN 10204 3.1 / Mill Test Certificate | Available |
SHH STEEL can supply AISI 304 dual-certified to ASTM A240 / ASME SA240 when required by the project.
Chemical Composition
Typical Chemical Composition of AISI 304 (UNS S30400):
| Element | Content (%) |
|---|---|
| Carbon (C) | ≤ 0.08 |
| Silicon (Si) | ≤ 1.00 |
| Manganese (Mn) | ≤ 2.00 |
| Phosphorus (P) | ≤ 0.045 |
| Sulfur (S) | ≤ 0.030 |
| Chromium (Cr) | 18.00 – 20.00 |
| Nickel (Ni) | 8.00 – 10.50 |
| Nitrogen (N) | ≤ 0.10 |
| Iron (Fe) | Balance |
The balanced 18% chromium and 8–10.5% nickel composition is the foundation of AISI 304’s excellent corrosion resistance and formability. Compared with lower-nickel grades such as a240 201, AISI 304 offers superior corrosion performance. SHH STEEL ensures strict composition control for consistent quality.
Mechanical Properties
Annealed Condition (typical values)
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Tensile Strength | ≥ 515 MPa (75 ksi) |
| Yield Strength (0.2%) | ≥ 205 MPa (30 ksi) |
| Elongation (in 50 mm) | ≥ 40% |
| Hardness | ≤ 201 HB |
AISI 304 offers an excellent balance of strength and ductility. It can be strengthened by cold working, although not to the same degree as a240 301. SHH STEEL supplies material with consistent mechanical properties suitable for a wide range of fabrication processes.
Physical Properties
- Density: 7.93 g/cm³
- Magnetic Response: Non-magnetic in the annealed condition
- Melting Range: approximately 1400–1450°C
Material Comparison
| Grade | Ni (%) | Cr (%) | Mo (%) | Carbon | Key Advantage | Typical Use Case |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AISI 304 | 8.0–10.5 | 18.0–20.0 | — | ≤ 0.08 | Best overall balance | General purpose |
| AISI 304L | 8.0–12.0 | 18.0–20.0 | — | ≤ 0.03 | Superior weldability | Heavy welded constructions |
| AISI 316L | 10.0–14.0 | 16.0–18.0 | 2.0–3.0 | ≤ 0.03 | Better pitting resistance | Chloride environments |
| AISI 301 | 6.0–8.0 | 16.0–18.0 | — | ≤ 0.15 | High work-hardening | High-strength formed parts |
| AISI 201 | 3.5–5.5 | 16.0–18.0 | — | ≤ 0.15 | Lower cost | Economical applications |
| AISI 321 | 9.0–12.0 | 17.0–19.0 | — | ≤ 0.08 | Ti-stabilized | High-temperature welded service |
AISI 304 provides the best overall balance of corrosion resistance, formability, weldability and cost among standard austenitic grades. When heavy welding is required, SHH STEEL recommends a240 304l. For improved resistance to pitting and crevice corrosion, a240 316l is the preferred upgrade. For high-temperature welded applications, a240 321 is often selected.
Corrosion Resistance
AISI 304 offers excellent resistance to atmospheric corrosion, fresh water, food products, many organic chemicals and a wide range of mild to moderate chemical environments. It performs well in indoor and outdoor architectural applications and is the standard material for food processing and kitchen equipment.
In chloride-containing environments, AISI 304 can be susceptible to pitting and stress corrosion cracking. For such service conditions, SHH STEEL recommends upgrading to a240 316l or a240 2205.
Weldability
AISI 304 has good weldability using standard fusion and resistance welding methods. Matching or 308/308L filler metals are commonly used. Because of its carbon content (up to 0.08%), it can be susceptible to intergranular corrosion after welding if not properly treated.
For heavy welded constructions or when post-weld heat treatment is not practical, SHH STEEL recommends a240 304l.
Heat Treatment
AISI 304 is normally supplied in the solution-annealed condition by SHH STEEL.
Recommended Solution Annealing Parameters
- Temperature range: 1010 – 1120°C
- Cooling: Rapid cooling (water quench preferred for thicker sections)
Proper annealing restores ductility after cold working and optimizes corrosion resistance. SHH STEEL ensures correct heat treatment for consistent performance.
Surface Finishes
| Finish | Description | Typical Use / Keywords |
|---|---|---|
| 2B | Cold-rolled, annealed, pickled, skin-passed | AISI 304 2B – most common for general fabrication |
| BA | Bright Annealed | AISI 304 BA – decorative and kitchen applications |
| No.1 | Hot-rolled, annealed and pickled | AISI 304 No.1 – industrial plate |
| No.4 | Brushed finish | AISI 304 No.4 – architectural surfaces |
| HL | Hairline finish | AISI 304 HL – decorative panels |
| Polished | Mirror or custom polish | AISI 304 Polished – high-end applications |
SHH STEEL regularly supplies AISI 304 in 2B, BA and No.1 finishes, and can provide other finishes according to project requirements.
Tolerances
Dimensional tolerances for AISI 304 Stainless Steel Plate supplied by SHH STEEL generally conform to ASTM A480 practices.
Typical available size range:
- Thickness: 0.4 mm – 100 mm
- Width: up to 2000–3000 mm
- Length: up to 12000 mm or coil / cut-to-length
SHH STEEL provides precise dimensional control and can support tighter tolerances when required.
Equivalent Material Grades
| Grade / Designation | Standard / UNS | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| AISI 304 | — | — |
| UNS S30400 | — | Unified Numbering System |
| ASTM A240 Type 304 | ASTM A240 | When dual certified |
| SUS304 | JIS G4305 | Japanese equivalent |
| 1.4301 / X5CrNi18-10 | EN 10088-2 | European equivalent |
Related grades for comparison include a240 304l, a240 316l, a240 321, a240 301 and a240 201.
Applications
AISI 304 is the most versatile austenitic stainless steel and is used across almost every industry. Typical applications of AISI 304 include:
| Industry / Sector | Typical Components / Equipment (with keywords) |
|---|---|
| Kitchen & Food Equipment | AISI 304 sinks, tabletops, kitchenware, food processing equipment |
| Architecture & Construction | AISI 304 decorative panels, cladding, elevator interiors, handrails |
| Chemical & Process Industry | AISI 304 tanks, vessels, piping, containers |
| Transportation | AISI 304 trim, structural and formed components |
| Medical & Pharmaceutical | AISI 304 equipment and clean-room components |
| General Fabrication | AISI 304 tanks, frames, enclosures and welded structures |
SHH STEEL supplies AISI 304 for these wide-ranging applications with consistent quality. For related industry solutions, see our construction industry, petrochemical industry and equipment manufacturing pages. Supporting services include steel cutting services and steel welding services.
Why Choose SHH STEEL
SHH STEEL is a China steel mill-Direct Supply specializing in stainless steel plate and sheet. By working directly with major Chinese stainless steel mills, SHH STEEL supplies AISI 304 with the following advantages:
- Genuine China steel mill-Direct Supply pricing
- Consistent quality and complete heat traceability
- Full Mill Test Certificates (EN 10204 3.1)
- Wide range of thicknesses and surface finishes (including AISI 304 2B, AISI 304 BA and AISI 304 No.1)
- Technical support for material selection among 304, 304L, 316L and other grades
- Value-added services including steel cutting services, steel welding services and worldwide shipping service
For more information about our company and full product range, please visit China steel Mill Agent-SHH STEEL.
FAQ
- What is the main difference between AISI 304 and AISI 304L?AISI 304L has lower carbon content (≤ 0.03%), which provides better resistance to intergranular corrosion after welding. SHH STEEL recommends 304L for heavy welded constructions.
- Is AISI 304 magnetic?Non-magnetic in the annealed condition. It may become slightly magnetic after heavy cold working. SHH STEEL supplies fully annealed material as standard.
- Can AISI 304 be used in chloride environments?It has limited resistance to pitting in chloride media. SHH STEEL recommends a240 316l for better performance in chloride-containing service.
- What is the density of AISI 304?7.93 g/cm³. SHH STEEL provides material certificates confirming physical and mechanical properties.
- Does SHH STEEL supply dual-certified ASTM A240 / AISI 304 material?Yes, SHH STEEL commonly supplies dual-certified material upon request.
Conclusion
AISI 304 Stainless Steel Plate is the most widely used austenitic stainless steel, offering an excellent balance of corrosion resistance, formability, weldability and cost. It remains the first choice for kitchen equipment, food processing, architecture, chemical containers and general fabrication.
As a professional China steel mill-Direct Supply, SHH STEEL provides high-quality AISI 304 Stainless Steel Plate with competitive pricing, full certification and complete technical support.
Contact SHH STEEL today for stock availability, surface finish options (including AISI 304 2B, AISI 304 BA and AISI 304 No.1), or a competitive quotation.
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