Stainless steel 304 and 304L both has a minimum of 18% chromium and 8% nickel. The main difference between the 304 and 304L is their carbon content, Type 304L has max carbon content of 0.03% whereas 304 SS has maximum carbon of 0.07%. This difference in carbon content affects their corrosion resistance and mechanical properties.
When to use 304 SS?
AISI 304 are used in corrosive application due to its higher carbon content. It does not corrode easily and have better Tensile and Yield strength properties as compared to 304L. It is widely used material in industries like food and beverage, medical equipment and kitchen appliances. Its ease of fabrication and cleaning makes it suitable choice.
304L SS has slightly lower carbon content then 304
When to use 304L SS?
SS 304L is nothing but a variant of 304 with lower carbon content. This lower carbon content provides AISI 304L good corrosion resistance and welding performance. Lower carbon content minimizes carbide precipitation in heat affected zone at the time of welding, which prevents from intergranular corrosion. This material is widely used in chemical industry, petroleum industry and food processing industry.
Refer application and features of SS 304 and SS 304L
Difference between AISI 304 and 304L
| Property | SS 304 | SS 304L |
|---|---|---|
| Carbon Content | Max 0.08% | Max 0.03% |
| Weldability | Moderate | Excellent |
| Strength | Higher | Slightly Lower |
| Corrosion Resistance | Good | Better |
Check the difference between corrosion and machinablity of AISI 304 and AISI 304L
304 vs 304l stainless steel Corrosion
| Environment | SS 304 | SS 304L |
|---|---|---|
| General corrosion | Excellent | Excellent |
| Welded condition | May suffer sensitization | Superior |
| Oxidation resistance | Good up to ~870°C | Slightly better stability |
Machinability Comparison of SS 304 Vs 304L
| Property | 304 | 304L |
|---|---|---|
| Machinability Rating | ~45% (based on free-machining steel = 100%) | ~45% |
View the chemical and mechanical properties of Stainless steel 304 and 304L
SS 304 VS SS 304L chemical composition
| Element | SS 304 | SS 304L |
|---|---|---|
| Carbon (C) | ≤ 0.08% | ≤ 0.030% |
| Chromium (Cr) | 18.0–20.0% | 18.0–20.0% |
| Nickel (Ni) | 8.0–10.5% | 8.0–12.0% |
| Manganese (Mn) | ≤ 2.0% | ≤ 2.0% |
| Silicon (Si) | ≤ 1.0% | ≤ 1.0% |
| Phosphorus (P) | ≤ 0.045% | ≤ 0.045% |
| Sulfur (S) | ≤ 0.030% | ≤ 0.030% |
| Nitrogen (N) | ≤ 0.10% | ≤ 0.10% |
| Iron (Fe) | Balance | Balance |
Stainless Steel 304 Vs 304L Mechanical Properties
| Property | SS 304 | SS 304L |
|---|---|---|
| Tensile Strength (MPa) | ≥ 515 | ≥ 485 |
| Yield Strength (MPa) | ≥ 205 | ≥ 170 |
| Elongation (%) | ≥ 40 | ≥ 40 |
| Hardness (HRB) | ≤ 95 | ≤ 95 |
Stainless Steel 304 Vs 304L Equivalent Grade
| Standard | AISI 304 | AISI 304L |
|---|---|---|
| UNS | UNS S30400 | UNS S30403 |
| EN/DIN (Europe) | 1.4301 | 1.4307 |
| JIS (Japan) | SUS 304 | SUS 304L |
| BS (UK) | 304S31 | 304S11 |
| AFNOR (France) | Z7CN18-09 | Z2CN18-10 |
| GOST (Russia) | 08Х18Н10 | 03Х18Н11 |
| IS (India) | X04Cr19Ni9 | X04Cr19Ni9 (Low Carbon) |
Stainless Steel 304 Vs 304L Physical Properties
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Density | 8.0 g/cm³ |
| Melting Point | 1400–1450°C |
| Thermal Conductivity | 16.2 W/m·K (at 100°C) |
| Electrical Resistivity | 0.72 µΩ·m (at 20°C) |
| Modulus of Elasticity | 193 GPa |
Stainless Steel 304 Vs 304L Hardness
| Condition | Grade | Brinell Hardness (HB) |
|---|---|---|
| Annealed (Soft) | 304 | 150 – 200 |
| 304L | 140 – 190 | |
| Cold Worked (Hard) | 304 | 250 – 300 |
| 304L | 230 – 280 |
Grade 304L has better weldability property compared to 304
How to choose between SS 304 Vs 304L?
If you want higher strength, welding is minimum or not at all required and operating below 425°C then you should go for Stainless steel 304 Material.
If your application involves welding and concerned about sensitization and want better corrosion resistance in the heat affected zone then you should buy AISI 304L Material.
Price Difference of AISI 304 vs 304L
304 SS is less expensive as compared to 304L SS due to its higher carbon content.
Conclusion
If you are price sensitive, need higher strength and not required to do weld then you can buy SS 304 Material. If you want improved weldability, good corrosion resistance with better strength at higher temperatures then you can buy AISI 304L Material.
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