The difference between 304 stainless steel and 304L stainless steel

What is 304 stainless steel ?
304 stainless steel is a common material in stainless steel, with a density of 7.93 g/cm³; it is also called 18/8 stainless steel in the industry, which means it contains more than 18% chromium and more than 8% nickel; it can withstand high temperature of 800°C and has good processing performance , high toughness characteristics, widely used in industry and furniture decoration industry and food medical industry. The common labeling methods on the market include 06Cr19Ni10 and SUS304, among which 06Cr19Ni10 generally indicates the national standard production, 304 stainless steel generally indicates the ASTM standard production, and SUS 304 indicates the Japanese standard production.

304 stainless steel1(1)

What is 304L stainless steel ?

304L stainless steel is a variant of 304 stainless steel with a lower carbon content,with good corrosion resistance and welding performance. It is often used in chemical, food processing and other fields. The corresponding grades of 304L stainless steel are: SUS304L, UNS S30403.The lower carbon content minimizes the precipitation of carbides in the heat-affected zone near the weld, which can lead to intergranular corrosion of stainless steels in some environments (weld attack).

304 stainless steel2(1)

Difference

1. Price is different. The price of 304L stainless steel is generally higher than that of 304 stainless steel.Taking the ex-factory price of YONGJIN as an example, the ex-factory price of 304L stainless steel is 100 yuan higher than the price of 304 per ton. So first of all, if 304L stainless steel is used instead of 304 stainless steel, the cost will increase.

2. Chemical composition is different.The most basic is that the carbon content of 304L stainless steel is less than 0.03; while the carbon content of 304 stainless steel is less than 0.08.

Element

Type 304 (%)

Type 304L (%)

Carbon

0.08 max.

0.03 max.

Manganese

2.00 max.

2.00 max.

Phosphorus

0.045 max.

0.045 max.

Sulfur

0.03 max.

0.03 max.

Silicon

0.75 max.

0.75 max.

Chromium

18.00-20.00

18.00-20.00

Nickel

8.00-10.50

8.00-12.00

3. Different mechanical properties.304L stainless steel is a steel type obtained by reducing the carbon content of 304 to less than 0.03%,so that,304L stainless steel can be suppressed between 500 and 900 degrees Celsius. But 304 stainless steel tensile strength is higher, 304 ≧525MPa; 304L≧485MPa.

4. Different application. 304 stainless steel and 304L stainless steel have similar uses, but in some special applications, their uses may be different. 304 stainless steel is the most widely used chromium-nickel stainless steel. As a widely used steel, it has good corrosion resistance, heat resistance, low temperature strength and mechanical properties; it has good hot workability such as stamping and bending, and has no heat treatment. Hardening phenomenon (use temperature -196 ° C ~ 800 ° C). Corrosion-resistant in the atmosphere, if it is an industrial atmosphere or a heavily polluted area, it needs to be cleaned in time to avoid corrosion. Suitable for food processing, storage and transportation. Has good processability and weldability. Plate heat exchangers, corrugated pipes, household goods (category 1 and 2 tableware, cabinets, indoor pipelines, water heaters, boilers, bathtubs), auto parts (windshield wipers, mufflers, molded products), medical appliances, building materials, chemicals, food industry , agriculture, ship parts, etc. Generally speaking, 304L stainless steel is used for welding components and occasions that require better corrosion resistance, such as chemical industry, medical equipment, food processing and marine equipment, etc. 

As a whole, 304L stainless steel characteristics are similar to those of 304 stainless steel.But 304L stainless steel is more widely used in industries such as sugar refining and brewing, because these industries have high requirements for corrosion resistance and wear resistance of equipment. 304L stainless steel is not easy to generate magnetism, so it has advantages in the occasions sensitive to magnetism, such as electronic equipment and medical equipment.

For more information, please browse GHT page of 304 stainless steel.

 


Post time: May-20-2023

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