304 Stainless Steel Pipe - ASTM A312 Seamless & Welded Tubing

Kuaima Steel Co., Ltd.

Verified Custom manufacturer · 7 yrs ·

China

Customizable Rock-bottom price

$2850 1-49 ton Base price

$2725 50-99 ton 4.4% off

$2660 ≥100 ton 6.7% off

Price validity: subject to market conditions

Supplier's customization ability

Drawing-based customization
Sample-based customization
Full customization

Quantity

Minimum order quantity: 1 ton

Shipping total: To be negotiated

Subtotal of goods US$ 2,850.00

Start order request

Payment and delivery

Payment:: by contract — deposit, balance after your inspection
Lead time:: confirmed with the quotation
Packaging:: standard export packing
Samples:: available on request

Product details

Technical Specifications of 304 Stainless Steel Pipe

Property	Parameter	Description
Product Name	304 Stainless Steel Pipe	Austenitic chromium-nickel stainless steel pipe
Material Grade	304 / AISI 304 / EN 1.4301 / UNS S30400	International grade equivalents
Standard Compliance	ASTM A312, ASTM A269, EN 10217-7, JIS G3459	Meets major international standards
Carbon (C)	≤0.08%	Carbon content for strength and weldability
Chromium (Cr)	18.0-20.0%	Provides corrosion resistance
Nickel (Ni)	8.0-10.5%	Enhances ductility and corrosion resistance
Manganese (Mn)	≤2.0%	Improves strength and workability
Silicon (Si)	≤1.0%	Deoxidizer and strengthener
Phosphorus (P)	≤0.045%	Controlled for ductility
Sulfur (S)	≤0.030%	Low sulfur for improved weldability
Tensile Strength	≥515 MPa	Minimum tensile strength per ASTM A312
Yield Strength	≥205 MPa	Minimum yield strength
Elongation	≥35%	Ductility in 50mm gauge length
Hardness	≤201 HBW / ≤92 HRB	Maximum hardness values
OD Range	6mm - 630mm	Available outer diameter options
Wall Thickness	0.5mm - 50mm	Standard and custom thickness
Length	6m - 12m or custom	Standard and custom lengths available
Surface Finish	Annealed & Pickled, Bright Annealed, Polished	Multiple surface treatment options
Application	Food processing, chemical, pharmaceutical, architecture	Typical application industries
Temperature Range	-196°C to 925°C	Service temperature range
Corrosion Resistance	Excellent in mild environments	Good resistance to atmospheric and food acids
Weldability	Excellent	No post-weld heat treatment required
Certification	EN 10204 3.1, ISO 9001, PED, NACE MR0175	Quality certifications provided
Packaging	Bundled with steel strips, plastic caps, wooden case	Standard export packaging
MOQ	1 ton	Minimum order quantity

304 Stainless Steel Pipe - ASTM A312 Seamless & Welded Tubing

304 stainless steel pipe represents the most widely specified austenitic chromium-nickel alloy tubing in industrial applications worldwide. This versatile material combines exceptional corrosion resistance with superior formability, making it the preferred choice for food processing equipment, architectural structures, and general industrial piping systems. Manufactured to comply with ASTM A312/A312M standards, our 304 pipe inventory serves diverse sectors from pharmaceutical manufacturing to water treatment facilities, delivering reliable performance across moderate corrosive environments.

What is 304 Stainless Steel Pipe?

304 stainless steel pipe is an austenitic chromium-nickel alloy tube containing 18-20% chromium and 8-10.5% nickel, manufactured according to ASTM A312/A312M specifications. This material exhibits a face-centered cubic crystal structure that remains stable across a wide temperature range, providing excellent ductility and weldability. The alloy's passive chromium oxide layer regenerates automatically when exposed to oxygen, delivering sustained protection against atmospheric corrosion and many chemical environments.

304 Stainless Steel Pipe Technical Specifications

Our 304 pipe conforms to ASTM A312/A312M-2021 Section 5 chemical composition requirements: carbon content limited to 0.08% maximum, manganese 2.0% maximum, phosphorus 0.045% maximum, sulfur 0.030% maximum, silicon 0.75% maximum, chromium 18.0-20.0%, and nickel 8.0-10.5%. Mechanical properties meet ASTM A312 Table 2 standards with minimum tensile strength of 515 MPa, yield strength of 205 MPa minimum, and elongation of 40% in 50mm. The material density measures 7.93 g/cm³ at 20°C with thermal conductivity of 16.2 W/m·K at 100°C.

Manufacturing Process and Quality Control

We produce 304 stainless steel pipe through two primary methods: seamless hot extrusion for sizes NPS 1/8" to 10" per ASTM A312 Section 6, and TIG/plasma welded processes for larger diameters up to 48". Each production lot undergoes hydrostatic testing at pressures calculated per ASTM A312 Section 9 requirements, typically 1.5 times the design pressure. Our quality management system maintains ISO 9001:2015 certification with full traceability from heat number through final inspection.

Surface Finish Options

Standard mill finish (2B) provides a smooth, moderately reflective surface suitable for most industrial applications. Bright annealed finish delivers enhanced corrosion resistance through controlled atmosphere heat treatment per ASTM A312 Section 7.3. Electropolished surfaces achieve Ra values below 0.4 μm, meeting sanitary requirements of ASME BPE-2019 for pharmaceutical and biotechnology systems.

Dimensional Tolerances

Outside diameter tolerances comply with ASTM A312 Table 3: ±0.4mm for sizes up to 25mm OD, ±0.75mm for 25-50mm OD, and ±1% for larger diameters. Wall thickness maintains ±10% tolerance for seamless pipe and ±0.15mm for welded tube under 3mm wall. Straightness deviation does not exceed 1.5mm per meter length when measured per ASTM A312 Section 8.2.

304 stainless steel pipe supplier

Applications Across Industries

Food processing facilities employ 304 pipe for product contact lines, clean-in-place systems, and sanitary transfer applications where the material's non-reactive surface prevents contamination. Architectural projects utilize 304 tubing for handrails, structural supports, and decorative elements benefiting from the alloy's aesthetic appearance and minimal maintenance requirements. Water treatment plants specify this grade for potable water distribution, reverse osmosis systems, and chemical dosing lines operating below 400°C.

Chemical Processing Applications

The material serves in mild acid environments including acetic acid up to 20% concentration at ambient temperature, and dilute phosphoric acid solutions below 10% at 50°C. Alkaline process streams containing sodium hydroxide up to 50% concentration find 304 pipe suitable at temperatures below 80°C per NACE MR0175/ISO 15156 guidelines.

HVAC and Plumbing Systems

Commercial building systems integrate 304 pipe for chilled water distribution, condensate return lines, and steam applications up to 10 bar pressure. The material's thermal expansion coefficient of 17.2 × 10⁻⁶/°C requires proper expansion joint spacing calculated per ASME B31.9 building services piping code.

Advantages of 304 Stainless Steel Pipe

Superior welding characteristics enable fabrication without pre-heating or post-weld heat treatment for wall thicknesses below 6mm, reducing installation costs by approximately 30% compared to higher alloy grades. The material maintains mechanical properties from cryogenic temperatures to 870°C, providing operational flexibility across diverse thermal environments. Cost-effectiveness positions 304 as the baseline stainless grade, typically priced 15-20% below 316L while delivering adequate performance for 80% of corrosion applications.

Corrosion Resistance Performance

Atmospheric exposure testing per ASTM G50 demonstrates corrosion rates below 0.02mm/year in industrial environments, and less than 0.005mm/year in rural settings. The passive film remains stable in pH ranges from 4 to 10, though chloride concentrations exceeding 200 ppm may initiate pitting above 60°C.

Fabrication and Joining

Cold forming operations achieve bend radii of 2.5D for annealed material without cracking, meeting ASTM A999 tube bending standards. Gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW) with ER308L filler metal produces joints exceeding base metal strength when proper shielding gas (98% Ar + 2% N₂) prevents chromium carbide precipitation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the minimum order quantity (MOQ)?

Our standard MOQ is 500 kg per size and specification, though we accommodate smaller quantities for custom sizes with adjusted pricing. Stock sizes from our regional warehouses ship with no minimum order requirement, providing flexibility for prototype projects and maintenance requirements.

304 stainless steel pipe wholesale

Do you provide material test certificates?

Every shipment includes EN 10204 Type 3.1 mill test certificates documenting chemical composition via optical emission spectroscopy, mechanical properties from tensile testing per ASTM E8, and intergranular corrosion testing results per ASTM A262 Practice E. Additional third-party inspection through SGS, TÜV, or Lloyd's Register is available upon request.

What is the typical delivery time?

Stock sizes in common schedules (5S, 10S, 40S) ship within 3-5 business days from our distribution centers. Custom sizes requiring mill production follow an 8-12 week lead time depending on order volume and current production schedules. Expedited manufacturing is available with 15% premium for urgent requirements.

Can you cut to custom sizes?

Our fabrication facility provides precision cutting services with tolerance of ±1mm using automated orbital saws. We offer end preparation including beveling to 37.5° per ASME B16.25, threading to ASME B1.20.1 standards, and grooving for mechanical coupling systems. Custom length cutting incurs no additional charge for orders exceeding 200 kg.

304 stainless steel pipe manufacturer

Get a Competitive Quote for 304 Stainless Steel Pipe

Request your customized pricing today and benefit from our mill-direct sourcing that eliminates intermediary markups. Our technical sales team provides application-specific recommendations, ensuring you specify the optimal wall schedule and surface finish for your project requirements. We maintain strategic inventory across North America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific regions to support just-in-time delivery schedules.

24/7 customer support available via phone, email, and live chat
Free samples for quality evaluation with certified test reports
Competitive pricing for bulk orders with volume discount tiers
Professional technical consultation from metallurgical engineers
Flexible payment terms including letters of credit and net-60 accounts
Comprehensive logistics support with export documentation services

Contact us today to get your free quote within 24 hours!

Ratings & Reviews

4.5

Based on 10 reviews

5 6

4 3

3 1

2 0

1 0

David Thompson

United States

2025-07-11

Acceptable Quality with Minor Issues Resolved

Decent product with some initial concerns that were addressed. We ordered 5 tons of 304 welded pipe (3-inch Schedule 10S) for our municipal water treatment plant reverse osmosis system. Upon delivery inspection, we found that 3 pieces had weld discoloration indicating potential chromium depletion from improper heat input during fabrication. We documented this with photographs and contacted their quality team immediately. Within 48 hours, they arranged independent third-party testing through SGS which confirmed the welds met ASTM A312 intergranular corrosion requirements per Practice E testing. They also provided a 12% price reduction on the affected pieces as goodwill compensation. The material has been in service for 3 months handling chlorinated water at 6 bar pressure with no performance issues. I would suggest they implement more rigorous weld quality inspection before shipment to prevent similar concerns. Overall acceptable quality once the technical verification was completed, and their responsive problem-solving approach was professional.

Carlos Silva

Brazil

2025-07-21

Excellent Partner for South American Market

Long-term reliable supplier for our Brazilian operations. This is our 5th order over the past 14 months totaling over 40 tons of 304 pipe for various industrial projects. Consistency in quality and service has been exceptional - every shipment arrives with complete Portuguese-translated documentation and proper INMETRO compliance certificates required for Brazilian customs. Their São Paulo logistics partner ensures smooth delivery to our Campinas facility within 15 days of order placement. Recent 9-ton order of mixed sizes (1-inch to 4-inch Schedule 40) for our pharmaceutical client's clean utility systems arrived perfectly packaged with no transit damage despite the 8,000 km journey from Asian mill. Technical support team understands South American market requirements and provides valuable guidance on local code compliance. Pricing remains stable with transparent currency exchange policies. Looking forward to continued partnership as we expand into Argentina and Chile markets.

Chris Martin

Canada

2025-08-06

Decent Product for Chemical Processing

Good experience overall for our acetic acid handling system upgrade. We ordered 7 tons of 304 seamless pipe (1.5-inch Schedule 40, bright annealed finish) for our Ontario food processing facility dealing with 15% acetic acid at ambient temperature. The material meets ASTM A312 specifications and performed well in our initial corrosion testing with rates below 0.15 mm/year. Delivery took 19 days versus the quoted 14 days due to cross-border logistics delays at the Windsor-Detroit crossing, which caused some project scheduling challenges. However, the supplier provided weekly updates and worked with the freight forwarder to expedite customs clearance. The bright annealed surface finish provides enhanced corrosion resistance as specified. Overall, reliable quality for mild acid service applications. 4 stars because delivery timing impacted our installation schedule, though the material quality itself is excellent.

Ahmed Al-Hassan

United Arab Emirates

2025-09-01

Perfect for High-Temperature HVAC Systems

We ordered 10 tons of 304 welded pipe (DN100 and DN150, Schedule 10S) for our Dubai shopping mall chilled water distribution system operating at 8 bar pressure. Material certificates documented full ASTM A312 compliance with tensile strength tested at 545 MPa, exceeding the 515 MPa minimum requirement. The TIG welded seam quality was inspected using ultrasonic testing per ASTM E213 with 100% pass rate and no detectable defects above 2mm. We appreciated the technical consultation regarding thermal expansion calculations - their engineer provided detailed expansion loop spacing recommendations per ASME B31.9 considering our 15°C to 45°C operating range. Installation proceeded smoothly with excellent weld fusion using ER308L filler metal. Delivered to Jebel Ali port in 13 days with complete customs documentation prepared in advance. The material is performing flawlessly after 4 months of operation in our harsh desert climate with no signs of external corrosion.

Robert Brown

United Kingdom

2025-10-14

Premium 304 Pipe for Architectural Applications

We ordered 6 tons of 304 bright annealed pipe (various sizes from 1-inch to 3-inch, Schedule 5S) for our London commercial tower handrail and balustrade project. Quality assessment exceeded expectations - material certificates showed carbon content at 0.06%, well below the 0.08% maximum, ensuring excellent weldability for our ornamental welding requirements. Surface finish was mirror-bright with Ra values measured at 0.25 μm, superior to the specified 0.4 μm maximum. We conducted bend testing per ASTM A999 and achieved 2D radius bends without any surface cracking or orange-peel effect. The aesthetic appearance after installation is outstanding with uniform reflectivity across all pieces. Delivered in protective foam sleeves to prevent scratching during transit. This is our 2nd architectural project using their material. Quality consistency makes specification decisions easy. Highly recommended for high-visibility architectural metalwork where appearance is critical.