304 Stainless Steel Sheet - ASTM A240 Grade 304 Cold Rolled & Hot Rolled Options

Kuaima Steel Co., Ltd.

Verified Custom manufacturer · 7 yrs ·

China

Customizable Rock-bottom price

$2100 1-49 ton Base price

$2010 50-99 ton 4.3% off

$1960 ≥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$ 2,100.00

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 Sheet

Property	Parameter	Description
Product Name	304 Stainless Steel Sheet	Austenitic chromium-nickel stainless steel
Material Grade	304 / EN 1.4301 / UNS S30400 / JIS SUS304	International grade equivalents
Standard Compliance	ASTM A240, EN 10088-2, JIS G4304, GB/T 3280	Meets major international standards
Carbon Content (C)	≤0.08%	Carbon content for strength and weldability
Chromium (Cr)	18.0-20.0%	Provides excellent corrosion resistance
Nickel (Ni)	8.0-10.5%	Enhances ductility and formability
Manganese (Mn)	≤2.0%	Improves strength and workability
Silicon (Si)	≤1.0%	Deoxidizer and strengthener
Tensile Strength	≥515 MPa	Minimum tensile strength per ASTM A240
Yield Strength	≥205 MPa	Minimum yield strength (0.2% offset)
Elongation	≥40%	Ductility in 50mm gauge length
Hardness	≤201 HBW / ≤92 HRB	Maximum hardness values
Thickness Range	0.3 - 100 mm	Available thickness options
Width Range	1000 - 2000 mm	Standard and custom widths
Length Range	2000 - 6000 mm or custom	Standard and custom lengths
Surface Finish	2B, BA, No.4, HL, Mirror, Brushed	Multiple surface treatment options
Application	Food processing, architecture, automotive, chemical equipment	Typical application industries
Certification	EN 10204 3.1, ISO 9001, PED, ASME	Quality certifications provided
Packaging	Wooden pallet, waterproof paper, steel strapping	Standard export packaging
MOQ	1 ton	Minimum order quantity

304 Stainless Steel Sheet - ASTM A240 Grade 304 Cold Rolled & Hot Rolled Options

304 stainless steel sheet represents the most widely specified austenitic chromium-nickel alloy in industrial applications worldwide. This versatile material combines excellent corrosion resistance with superior formability, making it the preferred choice for food processing equipment, architectural panels, kitchen appliances, and chemical processing tanks. With a balanced composition of 18% chromium and 8% nickel, 304 sheet delivers cost-effective performance across temperatures ranging from cryogenic to 870°C, serving manufacturers who demand reliable material properties without the premium cost of specialty grades.

What is 304 Stainless Steel Sheet?

304 stainless steel sheet is an austenitic chromium-nickel alloy defined by ASTM A240/A240M standard, containing 18.0-20.0% chromium, 8.0-10.5% nickel, and maximum 0.08% carbon. This non-magnetic material maintains its face-centered cubic crystal structure across typical operating temperatures, providing consistent mechanical properties and exceptional resistance to atmospheric corrosion, food acids, and most organic chemicals. Available in cold rolled (2B, BA, No.4 finishes) and hot rolled (No.1 finish) conditions, the sheet form enables fabrication through bending, deep drawing, and welding operations.

304 Stainless Steel Sheet Technical Specifications

Grade 304 sheet manufactured to ASTM A240 requirements exhibits minimum tensile strength of 515 MPa and yield strength of 205 MPa in annealed condition. The material demonstrates elongation of 40% minimum in 50mm gauge length, ensuring adequate ductility for complex forming operations. Standard thickness ranges from 0.4mm to 6.0mm for cold rolled sheet and 3.0mm to 75mm for hot rolled plate, with width availability up to 2000mm and length to 6000mm. Chemical composition limits include manganese 2.0% maximum, silicon 0.75% maximum, phosphorus 0.045% maximum, and sulfur 0.030% maximum per ASTM specifications.

Surface Finish Options for 304 Sheet

Cold Rolled Finishes

2B finish represents the standard mill finish for cold rolled 304 sheet, produced through cold rolling followed by annealing and pickling, then light rolling with polished rolls to achieve a smooth, moderately reflective surface suitable for most industrial applications. BA (bright annealed) finish undergoes controlled atmosphere annealing after final cold rolling, creating a highly reflective mirror-like surface ideal for decorative architectural panels and food contact surfaces. No.4 finish results from mechanical polishing with 120-150 grit abrasives, producing a brushed appearance commonly specified for kitchen equipment and elevator panels.

Hot Rolled Surface Characteristics

No.1 finish on hot rolled 304 sheet exhibits a rough, scaled surface from high-temperature rolling operations, typically specified for applications where surface appearance is secondary to structural performance. This finish requires descaling through pickling or shot blasting before welding or coating operations. Hot rolled sheet finds application in structural components, tank fabrication, and situations requiring thicker gauge material where subsequent machining removes surface irregularities.

304 stainless steel sheet supplier

Corrosion Resistance Performance

304 stainless steel sheet demonstrates outstanding resistance to atmospheric corrosion in rural, urban, and light industrial environments, with pitting resistance equivalent number (PREN) of approximately 18. The passive chromium oxide film reforms spontaneously when scratched in oxygenated environments, providing self-healing protection. Material performance remains excellent in contact with food products, beverages, pharmaceuticals, and mild chemical solutions. However, chloride-containing environments above 60°C may initiate pitting corrosion, requiring upgrade to 316L grade for marine or chemical processing applications.

Fabrication and Welding Characteristics

Forming and Bending Properties

Cold rolled 304 sheet exhibits exceptional deep drawing capabilities with limiting drawing ratio (LDR) of 2.2-2.4, enabling production of complex kitchen sinks, cookware, and automotive trim components. The material work-hardens during forming operations, with tensile strength increasing from 515 MPa to over 1000 MPa in severely formed areas. Minimum bend radius typically equals 1.0 times material thickness for 90-degree bends parallel to rolling direction, increasing to 1.5 times thickness for bends perpendicular to grain orientation.

Welding Procedures

304 stainless steel sheet accepts welding through GTAW (TIG), GMAW (MIG), and resistance welding methods without requiring preheat or post-weld heat treatment. Argon-based shielding gases prevent oxidation during fusion, maintaining corrosion resistance in weld zones. Carbon content below 0.08% minimizes chromium carbide precipitation during welding thermal cycles, though prolonged exposure in the 425-815°C sensitization range may reduce intergranular corrosion resistance. For critical applications involving welding, 304L low-carbon variant with 0.03% maximum carbon provides enhanced weld zone performance.

304 stainless steel sheet wholesale

Applications Across Industries

Food processing facilities specify 304 sheet for mixing tanks, conveyors, and sanitary piping systems where easy cleaning and bacterial resistance are mandatory. Architectural applications include building facades, column covers, and interior wall panels leveraging the material's aesthetic appeal and low maintenance requirements. Chemical processing plants employ 304 sheet in storage tanks for mild acids, alkaline solutions, and organic solvents operating below 100°C. The automotive industry utilizes cold rolled 304 in exhaust system components, trim moldings, and fuel tank construction where moderate corrosion resistance suffices.

304 stainless steel sheet China

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the minimum order quantity (MOQ)?

Standard MOQ for 304 stainless steel sheet is 1 metric ton per specification, though we accommodate smaller quantities for sample evaluation or prototype development. Mixed thickness orders meeting 1-ton minimum enable customers to stock multiple gauges efficiently. Volume pricing applies to orders exceeding 10 tons with single delivery destination.

Do you provide material test certificates?

Every shipment includes EN 10204 Type 3.1 mill test certificates documenting chemical composition per optical emission spectrometry, mechanical properties from tensile testing, and heat number traceability. Certificates verify compliance with ASTM A240, EN 10088-2, or JIS G4305 specifications as required. Third-party inspection services can be arranged for customers requiring additional verification.

What is the typical delivery time?

Stocked 304 sheet in common thicknesses (0.8mm, 1.0mm, 1.5mm, 2.0mm, 3.0mm) ships within 7-10 business days from order confirmation. Custom thickness, width, or finish requirements require 4-6 weeks production lead time from mill. Expedited processing available for urgent projects with 15% premium on standard pricing.

Can you cut to custom sizes?

Our precision shearing equipment cuts 304 sheet to customer-specified dimensions with ±1.0mm tolerance on length and width. Laser cutting services provide complex profile cutting with ±0.2mm positional accuracy for components requiring holes, notches, or irregular shapes. CNC plasma cutting handles thicker gauges above 6.0mm where laser power becomes limiting. All cutting services include deburring to remove sharp edges.

Get a Competitive Quote for 304 Stainless Steel Sheet

Our mill-direct sourcing eliminates distributor markups, delivering factory-competitive pricing on 304 stainless steel sheet for projects of any scale. Whether you require 2B finish for food equipment, BA finish for architectural panels, or No.4 brushed finish for decorative applications, our technical team provides material selection guidance ensuring optimal performance and cost efficiency. Request your customized quote today and experience the advantage of working with a supplier committed to quality, precision, and responsive service.

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Ratings & Reviews

4.4

Based on 9 reviews

5 5

4 3

3 1

2 0

1 0

Chris Martin

Canada

2025-09-26

Acceptable Quality with Minor Delivery Issues Resolved

Purchased 4.1 tons of 304 cold rolled sheet, 2.0mm thickness, No.4 brushed finish for elevator panel project in Toronto. Material quality was satisfactory with tensile strength at 528 MPa and proper grain structure. Initial shipment had incorrect width specification (1219mm instead of ordered 1500mm), but supplier quickly arranged replacement at no additional cost. Corrected material arrived within 12 days of issue notification. Chemical composition met ASTM A240 requirements. Customer service was responsive in resolving the error. Would consider ordering again for non-critical timeline projects.

Carlos Silva

Brazil

2025-10-13

Superior 304 BA Finish for Pharmaceutical Equipment

Acquired 2.9 tons of 304 stainless steel sheet with BA finish, 1.5mm thickness, 1500mm width for pharmaceutical mixing tank liners. Surface roughness measured at Ra 0.3μm, meeting our stringent cleanroom requirements. Carbon content certified at 0.054%, minimizing carbide precipitation risk during sanitary welding. Supplier provided detailed mill test reports with heat number traceability. Material arrived in São Paulo within 28 days including customs processing. Technical team assisted with welding procedure recommendations for our specific application. Repeat customer, sixth order in two years.

William Taylor

Australia

2025-10-25

Solid Value 304 Sheets for Food Processing Conveyors

Ordered 5.8 tons of 304 sheet, 1.0mm thickness, 2B finish for conveyor system upgrade in meat processing facility. Material met Australian food safety standards with proper surface finish for easy cleaning. Phosphorus content at 0.038% and silicon at 0.62%, well within specification limits. Forming trials showed good ductility without edge cracking. Lead time was 25 days to Melbourne, slightly longer than expected but communicated clearly. Pricing was competitive though not the lowest bid. Small packaging damage on one bundle but material undamaged. Overall good experience.