SS 304
SS 304
SS 304
SX304/304L Technical Data Summary SX 304 is the most versatile and the most widely used of all stainless steels. Its chemical composition, mechanical properties, weldability and corrosion/oxidation resistance provide the best all-round performance stainless steel at relatively low cost. It also has excellent low temperature properties and responds well to hardening by cold working. If intergranular corrosion in the heat affected zone may occur, it is suggested that SX 304L be used. Typical Applications SX 304 is used in all industrial, commercial and domestic fields because of its good corrosion and heat resisting properties. Some applications include:
Tanks and containers for a large variety of liquids and solids. Process equipment in the mining, chemical, cryogenic, food, dairy and pharmaceutical industries.
SX 304 304L
Mn 2.0 max
P 0.045 max
S 0.030 max
Si 1.0 max
Cr 18.0 to 20.0
Typical Properties in the Annealed Condition The properties quoted in this publication are typical of mill production and unless indicated should not be regarded as guaranteed minimum values for specification purposes. 1. Mechanical Properties at Room Temperature
304
304L
Typical Minimum Typical Minimum Tensile Strength, MPa 600 MPa 310 60 170 MPa 240 515 205 40 590 310 60 170 240 485 170 40 -
Proof Strength, (Offset 0.2 %), Elongation (Percent in 50mm) Hardness (Brinell) Endurance (fatigue) limit,
2. Properties at elevated temperatures All these values refer to 304 only. 304L values are not given because its strength decreases markedly above 425oC. Time Elevated Temperature Tensile Strength
600 380
700 270
800 170
900 90
1000 50
550 120
600 80
650 50
700 30
800 10
925oC 850oC
Temperature Tensile Strength Proof Stress (Offset 0.2%) Impact Strength (Charpy V-Notch)
-78
4. Corrosion Resistance Aqueous As a rough guide the following examples are given for certain pure acidwater mixtures-
20 20 40 100 2 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 60 10 80 2 2 0 1 0 1 0 1
80 20 40 100 2 2 0 2 0 2 1 0 2 2 0 0 0 0 2 60
Sulphuric Acid
Nitric Acid
Phosphoric Acid
Formic Acid
Key:
0 = resistant
1 = partly resistant - corrosion rate 100m to 1000 mm/year 2 = non resistant - corrosion rate more than 1000 mm/year 4.2 Atmospheric The performance of SX 304 compared with other metals in various environments is shown in the following table. The corrosion rates are based on a 10 year exposure.
Corrosion Rate (mm/year) Environment SX 304 Rural Marine Marine Industrial 0.0025 0.0076 0.0076 Aluminium-3S 0.025 0.432 0.686 Mild Steel 5.8 34.0 46.2
Thermal Processing
Annealing. Heat from 1010oC to 1120oC and cool rapidly in air or water. The best corrosion resistance is obtained when the final annealing is above 1070oC and cooling is rapid. Stress relieving. SX304L can be stress relieved at 450-600 oC for one hour with little danger of sensitisation. A lower stress relieving temperature of 400oC maximum must be used. Hot working Initial forging and pressing: Finishing temperature: 1150 to 1260oC 900 to 925oC
All hotworking operations should be followed by annealing. Note: Soaking times to ensure uniformity of temperature are longer for stainless steels than for carbon steels - approximately 12 times. Cold Working SX 304 / 304L being extremely tough and ductile, are readily fabricated by
old working. Typical operations include bending, forming, deep drawing and upsetting.