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Carbon		0.03 max
Chromium		18 - 20
Iron		Balance
Manganese		2 max
Nickel		8 - 12
Phosphorus		0.045 max
Silicon		1 max
Sulphur		0.03 max

Principal Design Features		A low carbon version of type 304 stainless. 304L is used almost interchangeably with 304 but is preferred for welding operations. It offers a good combination of strength, corrosion resistance and fabricability.

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. Its low carbon, means that the is less carbide precipitation at the weld boundaries resulting in stronger welds.

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, 304L 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.)	0.29
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		Plate
Condition		Test Specimen Annealed
Temper		70
Tensile Strength		79
Yield Strength		33
Elongation		60
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		Test Specimen Annealed
Temper		70
Tensile Strength		81
Yield Strength		39
Elongation		55
Rockwell		B79
Form		Strip
Condition		Three Quarter Hard
Temper		70
Tensile Strength		175
Yield Strength		135
Elongation		11
Rockwell		C37