Materials

304 Stainless Steel

Overview

304 stainless steel is the most used grade worldwide. Its austenitic composition provides excellent corrosion resistance, strength and formability. Known as an 18/8 chromium-nickel stainless steel, it has become the benchmark material for countless industries.

Kormax supplies grade 304 stainless steel in a wide range of profiles, including round bar, sheet and custom-cut material. With fast turnaround, batch certifications and technical support, we help engineers achieve dependable results in demanding projects.

304 stainless steel suppliers recommend this grade where safety, hygiene and durability cannot be compromised. Typical applications include:

Common Applications

Food processing equipment
Kitchen benches, sinks and utensils
Water and wastewater treatment systems
Architectural and structural components
Storage tanks, piping and valves
Heat exchangers and pressure vessels

Key Features

Excellent general corrosion resistance, including in mildly acidic and oxidising environments
High toughness even at cryogenic temperatures
Non-magnetic in annealed condition (slightly magnetic when cold worked)
Excellent fabrication, welding and polishing characteristics
Hygienic and easy to clean for sanitary environments

304 Stainless Steel Material Properties

Material Profile

The properties of 304 stainless steel make it versatile for both hygienic environments and structural applications.

Stainless Steel 2205

Density: 8.0 g/cm³

Stainless Steel 2205

Modulus of Elasticity: 193 GPa

Stainless Steel 2205

Melting Point: 1400–1450 °C

Stainless Steel 2205

Thermal Expansion: ~17.2 µm/m°C (20–100 °C)

Chemical Composition

The chemical balance of grade 304 stainless steel explains its durability. The chromium and nickel mix ensures corrosion resistance and dependable performance.

(Typical Composition %)

Element Symbol Value
Carbon C ≤0.08
Silicon Si ≤1.0
Manganese Mn ≤2.0
Phosphorus P ≤0.045
Sulfur S ≤0.03
Chromium Cr 18–20
Nickel Ni 8–10.5
Nitrogen N ≤0.10

Mechanical Properties

The mechanical properties of 304 stainless steel make it suitable for tanks, pressure vessels and structural work.

Property Value
Tensile Strength ≥ 515 MPa (typ. 540–750 MPa)
Yield Strength ~205 MPa (0.2% offset)
Elongation ≥ 40% (A50mm)
Hardness ≤ 201 HB

Tolerances Chart

Kormax supplies 304 stainless steel to precise dimensional tolerances, ensuring reliability in engineering applications. All material conforms to ASTM A276 / A479 and meets ISO dimensional standards, aligning with our broader engineered materials solutions.

Diameter (mm) Range Tolerance Class Tolerance (mm)
Up to 19.05 H9 +0 / -0.036
20 and above H11 +0 / -0.090 to -0.18 depending on size

Conforms to ASTM A276 / A479 and dimensional tolerances as per ISO standards.

Sizes & Availability

304 Stainless Steel Round Bar

Kormax stocks stainless steel 304 round bars in a wide range of diameters. Standard lengths are available for supply, with custom sizes and grades available upon request.

Diameter (mm) KG per Metre Tolerance Length (m)
3.00 0.06 H9 3
4.00 0.1 H9 3
5.00 0.16 H9 3
6.00 0.23 H9 3
6.35 0.25 H9 3
7.94 0.39 H9 3
8.00 0.41 H9 3
9.53 0.57 H9 3
10.00 0.62 H9 3
12.00 0.91 H9 3
12.70 1.00 H9 3
15.88 1.57 H9 3
16.00 1.59 H9 3
16.00 1.61 H9 3
19.05 2.26 H9 3
20.00 2.49 H11 3
20.00 2.5 H9 3
22.23 3.07 H9 3
25.00 3.89 H9 3
25.40 4.02 H11 3
28.58 5.08 H9 3
30.00 5.61 H11 3
31.75 6.28 H11 3
35.00 7.62 H9 3
38.10 9.04 H11 3
40.00 9.95 H9 3
44.45 12.31 H11 3
45.00 12.6 H9 3
50.00 15.55 H9 3
50.80 16.07 H11 3
57.15 20.34 H11 3
60.00 22.39 H9 3
63.50 25.11 H11 3
65.00 26.28 H9 3
76.20 36.16 H11 3
88.90 49.16 H9 3
101.60 64.29 H11 3
114.30 81.27 H11 3
152.40 144.65 H11 3
127.00 100.33 H11 3

*Custom grades and sizes available by request.

Explore More Stainless Steel Grades

Looking for an alternative? Explore our broader range of stainless steel materials, including:

Kormax is your reliable stainless steel supplier, helping engineers choose the right material for lasting performance.

Resources

Data Sheet

Stainless Steel 304

Blog

A Guide to the Grades of Aluminium: Choosing the Right Alloy

Resource

Engineering Metal Bar Manufacturing Methods

PDF (298 KB)

Metal Castings & Engineering Materials pdf cover preview

Download Our Catalogue Here

For our full range of products and services, choose the relevant catalogue.

Stainless Steel 2205, Telarc registered Quality ISO 9001
Stainless Steel 2205, Telarc registered environment ISO 14001
Telarc registered H&S ISO 45001

Quality Management

Quality materials, delivered to standard.

Kormax is ISO certified for ISO 9001, ISO 14001, and ISO 45001.
All Kormax products come with batch certifications.

Why Choose Kormax for 304 Stainless Steel

As a fourth-generation family-owned business, Kormax brings over 75 years of foundry and engineering metals experience to your project.

We operate in various sectors worldwide, utilising our leading engineering, manufacturing and global distribution capabilities to offer world-class solutions for engineers.

Expert Advice

Trusted advice on metal and profile selection for your application, backed by our engineered materials solutions.

Unique Range

Unique range of quality products, in industry-specific profiles and sizes, including casting alloys.

Engineered Materials Solutions

Top-tier Foundries

Global top-tier supply network with the ability to source specific sizes and metals through trusted stainless steel supplier partnerships.

Supply Security

For anyone working with critical materials like 304 stainless steel, we offer custom supply options to enhance continuity.

Quality Management

With ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and ISO 45501 certification, our quality systems include complete batch traceability across all stainless steel grades.

Competitive Pricing

With a wide supplier network, Kormax can balance quality and value, supporting long-term partnerships with 304 stainless steel suppliers worldwide.