AISI 304L Stainless Steel Plate | 304L China steel mill-Direct Supply
What is AISI 304L Stainless Steel Plate?
As a professional China steel mill-Direct Supply and stainless steel plate supplier, SHH STEEL is pleased to present AISI 304L Stainless Steel Plate.
AISI 304L (UNS S30403) is the low-carbon variant of the most widely used austenitic stainless steel, AISI 304. By limiting the carbon content to a maximum of 0.03%, AISI 304L significantly reduces the risk of chromium carbide precipitation at grain boundaries during welding or exposure to the sensitization temperature range. This results in excellent resistance to intergranular corrosion in the as-welded condition.
The grade retains the classic 18% chromium and 8–12% nickel composition, providing outstanding corrosion resistance, formability, toughness and non-magnetic properties in the annealed condition. AISI 304L is the preferred choice for welded constructions in chemical processing, food equipment, architectural applications, tanks, vessels and general fabrication where post-weld heat treatment is not practical.
SHH STEEL supplies AISI 304L 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 304L in plate, sheet and coil form across a practical range of thicknesses and surface finishes.
AISI 304L is frequently compared with a240 304, a240 316l, a240 321 and a240 316 when selecting the most suitable austenitic grade for welded service. SHH STEEL provides technical support to help customers make the correct material choice.
Material Specification
| Specification Element | Requirement | SHH STEEL Compliance |
|---|---|---|
| Grade | AISI 304L / UNS S30403 | Confirmed |
| Related Standards | ASTM A240, ASME SA240, JIS G4305 (SUS304L), EN 1.4307 / 1.4306 | 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 304L dual-certified to ASTM A240 / ASME SA240 when required by the project.
Chemical Composition
Typical Chemical Composition of AISI 304L (UNS S30403):
| Element | Content (%) |
|---|---|
| Carbon (C) | ≤ 0.030 |
| 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 – 12.00 |
| Nitrogen (N) | ≤ 0.10 |
| Iron (Fe) | Balance |
The decisive difference from standard AISI 304 is the strict limitation of carbon to ≤ 0.03%. This low carbon level effectively prevents sensitization during welding and eliminates the need for post-weld annealing in most applications. SHH STEEL ensures tight composition control to guarantee consistent weldability and corrosion performance.
Mechanical Properties
Annealed Condition (typical values)
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Tensile Strength | ≥ 485 MPa (70 ksi) |
| Yield Strength (0.2%) | ≥ 170 MPa (25 ksi) |
| Elongation (in 50 mm) | ≥ 40% |
| Hardness | ≤ 201 HB |
AISI 304L has slightly lower strength than standard 304 due to the reduced carbon content, but it retains excellent ductility and toughness. SHH STEEL supplies material with consistent mechanical properties suitable for a wide range of fabrication and welding 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 | Carbon | Ni (%) | Cr (%) | Key Advantage | Typical Preference |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AISI 304 | ≤ 0.08 | 8.0–10.5 | 18.0–20.0 | Higher strength | General purpose |
| AISI 304L | ≤ 0.03 | 8.0–12.0 | 18.0–20.0 | Excellent weldability & IGC resistance | Heavy welded constructions |
| AISI 316L | ≤ 0.03 | 10.0–14.0 | 16.0–18.0 | Better pitting resistance (Mo) | Chloride environments |
| AISI 321 | ≤ 0.08 | 9.0–12.0 | 17.0–19.0 | Ti-stabilized | High-temperature welded service |
| AISI 301 | ≤ 0.15 | 6.0–8.0 | 16.0–18.0 | High work-hardening | High-strength formed parts |
| AISI 201 | ≤ 0.15 | 3.5–5.5 | 16.0–18.0 | Lower cost | Economical applications |
AISI 304L is the preferred grade whenever extensive welding is required and resistance to intergranular corrosion is critical. When higher pitting resistance is needed, SHH STEEL recommends a240 316l. For high-temperature welded service, a240 321 is often selected. Standard a240 304 remains suitable for non-welded or lightly welded applications where higher strength is desired.
Corrosion Resistance
AISI 304L offers excellent resistance to atmospheric corrosion, fresh water, food products, many organic chemicals and a wide range of mild to moderate chemical environments. The low carbon content provides superior resistance to intergranular corrosion after welding compared with standard 304.
In chloride-containing environments, AISI 304L can still be susceptible to pitting and stress corrosion cracking. For such service conditions, SHH STEEL recommends upgrading to a240 316l or a240 2205.
Weldability
AISI 304L has excellent weldability using standard fusion and resistance welding methods. Matching or 308L filler metals are commonly used. Because of the very low carbon content, the risk of intergranular corrosion in the as-welded condition is minimal, and post-weld annealing is generally not required.
This outstanding as-welded performance is the main reason SHH STEEL recommends AISI 304L for most welded constructions instead of standard 304.
Heat Treatment
AISI 304L 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 304L 2B – most common for general fabrication |
| BA | Bright Annealed | AISI 304L BA – decorative and kitchen applications |
| No.1 | Hot-rolled, annealed and pickled | AISI 304L No.1 – industrial plate |
| No.4 | Brushed finish | AISI 304L No.4 – architectural surfaces |
| HL | Hairline finish | AISI 304L HL – decorative panels |
| Polished | Mirror or custom polish | AISI 304L Polished – high-end applications |
SHH STEEL regularly supplies AISI 304L in 2B, BA and No.1 finishes, and can provide other finishes according to project requirements.
Tolerances
Dimensional tolerances for AISI 304L 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 304L | — | — |
| UNS S30403 | — | Unified Numbering System |
| ASTM A240 Type 304L | ASTM A240 | When dual certified |
| SUS304L | JIS G4305 | Japanese equivalent |
| 1.4307 / 1.4306 | EN 10088-2 | European equivalents |
Related grades for comparison include a240 304, a240 316l, a240 321, a240 316 and a240 301.
Applications
AISI 304L is the preferred grade for welded constructions requiring excellent resistance to intergranular corrosion. Typical applications of AISI 304L include:
| Industry / Sector | Typical Components / Equipment (with keywords) |
|---|---|
| Chemical & Process Industry | AISI 304L tanks, vessels, reactors, piping and process equipment |
| Food & Beverage | AISI 304L processing equipment, storage tanks, piping |
| Architecture & Construction | AISI 304L decorative panels, cladding, structural components |
| Pharmaceutical & Medical | AISI 304L clean equipment, vessels and piping |
| Water Treatment | AISI 304L tanks, filters and structural parts |
| General Fabrication | AISI 304L welded tanks, frames, enclosures and structures |
SHH STEEL supplies AISI 304L for these demanding welded applications with consistent quality. For related industry solutions, see our petrochemical industry, construction 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 304L 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 304L 2B, AISI 304L BA and AISI 304L No.1)
- Technical support for material selection between 304, 304L, 316L and stabilized 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 advantage of AISI 304L over AISI 304?The low carbon content (≤ 0.03%) provides excellent resistance to intergranular corrosion after welding. SHH STEEL recommends 304L for most welded constructions.
- Is AISI 304L 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 304L 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 304L?7.93 g/cm³. SHH STEEL provides material certificates confirming physical and mechanical properties.
- Does SHH STEEL supply dual-certified ASTM A240 / AISI 304L material?Yes, SHH STEEL commonly supplies dual-certified material upon request.
Conclusion
AISI 304L Stainless Steel Plate is the low-carbon version of the classic 304 austenitic stainless steel, offering excellent weldability and superior resistance to intergranular corrosion. It is the preferred material for welded tanks, vessels, piping, food processing equipment and architectural applications where post-weld heat treatment is not practical.
As a professional China steel mill-Direct Supply, SHH STEEL provides high-quality AISI 304L Stainless Steel Plate with competitive pricing, full certification and complete technical support.
Contact SHH STEEL today for stock availability, surface finish options (including AISI 304L 2B, AISI 304L BA and AISI 304L No.1), or a competitive quotation.
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