What Is SUS 304 Stainless Steel?
Stainless steel is a widely-used material in various industries due to its superior durability, tensile strength and corrosion resistance.
The most widely-used grade of stainless steel is SUS 304. This austenitic alloy contains 18-20% chromium and nickel by weight, as well as other alloy elements like carbon, manganese, and silicon.
Corrosion Resistance
Stainless steels are essential in many industrial and commercial applications due to their ability to resist corrosion. These metals often undergo alloying with other alloying elements in order to achieve specific properties tailored for different purposes.
One of the most sought-after stainless steel grades is sus 304, also known as Japanese standard JIS SS grade. This austenitic alloy contains 8 to 10.5% nickel, 18-20% chromium, and other trace elements.
This stainless steel is highly resistant to corrosives, such as chlorides and salts. As such, it makes an ideal choice for chemical plants, vehicles, and kitchenware.
Chromium content of steel is high, helping combat rust. Meanwhile, nickel ensures that the metal will not become corrupted easily – an essential factor since rust not only looks unsightly but can be hazardous too.
Unfortunately, 304 stainless steel has a great corrosion resistance but can become damaged by certain oxidizing agents and salts, making it unsuitable for applications requiring long-term exposure to these chemicals. That is why selecting the correct stainless steel is so important when working on any project.
When selecting stainless steel for outdoor furnishings such as rails and bollards, temperature resistance is another essential factor to consider. Not only does it apply to outdoor furnishings but also other products exposed to hot or cold temperatures.
304 is a commonly used material for these applications, yet it doesn’t offer the same level of corrosion resistance as 316 which includes 2% molybdenum. This additional element increases 316’s corrosion resistance and enhances its ability to withstand acids and alkalis.
Corrosion Resistance of 304 and 316
Both stainless steels boast excellent corrosion resistance, but their properties vary depending on the environment. 316 is much more resistant to chlorides than 304, making it a better choice for marine equipment or areas exposed to high levels of chlorides.
Toughness
Stainless steel is an incredibly tough material that can withstand a variety of stresses. This toughness has led to its widespread usage in cookware and other equipment that will be exposed to extreme temperatures and harsh chemicals.
304 stainless steel is one of the most sought-after types of stainless steel due to its 18% chromium and 8% nickel content, making it highly corrosion resistant.
This grade, also referred to as “18-8 stainless steel,” is an austenitic stainless steel known for its resistance to corrosion in various environments and high resistance to stress corrosion cracking.
This stainless steel is more durable than other types of stainless steel due to its higher content of chromium and nickel, though not quite as hard as 440 stainless steel.
It is one of the most prevalent grades of stainless steel, found in many products such as cookware, sinks, splashbacks, worktops and more.
When selecting stainless steel, there are numerous varieties to choose from. It’s essential to understand which grade of steel works best for your project so that you can select the one most suited to your needs.
304 stainless steel has excellent machinability and is suitable for many metal working processes. It can be shaped into various forms without breaking, provided you adhere to some basic guidelines. These include making sure the edges are sharp and light; using chip breakers to stop any swarf from riding up on top; and applying lubricants as needed to help with this.
Weldability
SUS 304 stainless steel is a widely-used grade in industry due to its excellent weldability and mechanical properties, making it suitable for many industrial and medical applications. Furthermore, SUS 304 stainless steel can withstand cold working conditions – an invaluable asset to businesses.
SUS 304 stainless steel is a grade that contains 18% chromium and 8% nickel, commonly referred to as 18-8 stainless steel due to its excellent corrosion resistance.
Food and beverage producers commonly use it, with applications ranging from water cups to cooking utensils and more. Unfortunately, its lack of molybdenum makes it susceptible to rust when exposed to saline solutions or chlorine.
That is why it is not recommended for use in highly corrosive environments like tanks and pipes that are regularly exposed to acid or chlorine. Other stainless steels, such as 316, which contains molybdenum, offer better protection.
Another reason SUS 304 is not as reliable as 316 is its sensitivity to intergranular corrosion in a chlorine-containing medium. This is especially true if large parts are welded together improperly.
To reduce this sensitivity, manufacturers often heat treat their stainless steels. This process increases their durability and toughness as well as improves elasticity. Furthermore, this ensures they can be properly welded or brazed.
Manufacturers commonly employ hardening, stress relief annealing and tempering as methods to make their stainless steels stronger. These processes help the metal resist abrasion, heat and other forms of physical stress.
The weldability of stainless steel depends on its alloy composition and carbon content. Carbon content in stainless steels is usually regulated by various standards; typically, a minimum carbon content of 0.08% must be met in order for welding to take place.
Furthermore, the sulfur content of an alloy is crucial when it comes to weldability. Low amounts of sulfur are associated with better penetration while higher amounts may cause unstable pool control and increased cracking during welding operations.
Durability
Stainless steel is a hard, corrosion-resistant material used in various applications. It can be forged into various shapes for industrial equipment and decorative fixtures as well as medical equipment and food preparation appliances.
304 stainless steel is the most sought-after grade due to its strength and durability. It can withstand corrosive substances such as salt water or chlorine with excellent tensile and yield strengths, plus it’s ductile – meaning it can be worked and manipulated without breaking easily.
Austenitic stainless steels contain more than 18% chromium and 8% nickel to enhance corrosion resistance. As such, it’s capable of withstanding chloride environments while being highly resistant to pitting, stress corrosion, and crevice corrosion.
Another property of this product makes it so versatile: its high Charpy impact score. This indicates that it can absorb a considerable amount of shock and flex before breaking, saving time and money on repairs if your product is damaged due to an impact.
This makes it a popular option for sinks, coffee urns and stoves. Additionally, it can be found in milk and cream dispensers and steam tables.
Comparing to other stainless steel grades, 304 offers greater corrosion resistance and toughness. Additionally, its tensile strength, yield strength, and elongation are higher than other grades of stainless steel.
Furthermore, it has a low thermal expansion and thermal conductivity. Furthermore, it can withstand abrasion and other physical stresses with ease.
Finally, its ability to resist cracking in cold environments makes it an ideal option for industries requiring tough materials for cold working applications such as construction.
304 stainless steel is either durable or not depending on how it’s handled and used. Typically, stainless steel is heat treated to increase strength and elasticity. For more details, you can check out here.
Additionally, during manufacturing, metal undergoes various processes like hardening and stress relief annealing to increase its tensile and flexural strengths as well as enhance its overall quality.
