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Carbon		0.08 max
Chromium		18 - 20
Iron		Balance
Manganese		2 max
Nickel		8 - 10.5
Phosphorus		0.045 max
Silicon		1 max
Sulphur		0.03 max

Principal Design Features		One of the most widely used and oldest of the stainless steels. This was originally called 18-8 which stood for its chromium and nickel content. It possesses an excellent combination of strength, corrosion resistance and fabricability. It is available in the widest variety of forms and sizes of any stainless steel.

Applications		The list is endless. Almost every conceivable industry uses some of this material in some way. Everything from stovetops to ball point pen barrels to flatware to fasteners has been fabricated from this alloy.

Machinability		Slow speeds and heavy feeds will minimize this alloys tendency to work harden. Due to long stringy chips, the use of chip breakers is advisable. Many companies now offer premium machinability grades, such as CarTech with their Project 70 and 7000 series.

Welding		All fusion and resistance processes have been successfully employed in welding 304. AWS E/ER308 or 312 filler metal is recommended. For cleaner, stronger welds, may users choose 304L which has a controlled low carbon content designed to reduce carbide precipitation at the weld boundaries.

Hot Working		Forging, heading and other hot working should follow uniform heating to 2100-2300 F (1149-1260 C). Rapid cooling is necessary to attain maximum corrosion resistance in finished parts.

Cold Working		Readily fabricated by most cold working methods, 304 may require intermediate annealing to avoid cracking or tearing from radical deformation. Full annealing should follow any operation to reduce internal stress and optimize corrosion resistance.

Annealing		1850-2050 F (1010-1121 C) followed by rapid cooling.

Hardening		This alloy does not respond to heat treatment. Cold work will cause an increase in both hardness and strength.

Physical Data : [top]

Density (lb / cu. in.)	0.285
Specific Gravity	7.9
Specific Heat (Btu/lb/Deg F - [32-212 Deg F])	0.12
Electrical Resistivity (microhm-cm (at 68 Deg F))	432
Melting Point (Deg F)	2650
Modulus of Elasticity Tension	28

Form		Strip
Condition		Extra Full Hard
Temper		70
Tensile Strength		200
Rockwell		C45
Form		Strip
Condition		Full Hard
Temper		70
Tensile Strength		185
Yield Strength		140
Elongation		8
Rockwell		C41
Form		Strip
Condition		Half Hard
Temper		70
Tensile Strength		150
Yield Strength		110
Elongation		17
Rockwell		C32
Form		Strip
Condition		Quarter Hard
Temper		70
Tensile Strength		125
Yield Strength		75
Elongation		25
Rockwell		C25
Form		Strip
Condition		Three Quarter Hard
Temper		70
Tensile Strength		175
Yield Strength		135
Elongation		11
Rockwell		C37