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.
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.
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.
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.
- 24/7 customer support available
- Free samples for quality evaluation
- Competitive pricing for bulk orders
- Professional technical consultation
Contact us today to get your free quote within 24 hours!
English 
简体中文 
CN
