---

Carbon	0.08 max
Chromium	18 - 20
Iron	Balance
Manganese	2 max
Nickel	8 - 10.5
Phosphorus	0.045 max
Silicon	1 max
Sulphur	0.03 max

Principal Design Features		One of the most widely used and oldest of the stainless steels. This was originally called 18-8 which stood for its chromium and nickel content. It possesses an excellent combination of strength, corrosion resistance and fabricability. It is available in the widest variety of forms and sizes of any stainless steel.

Applications		The list is endless. Almost every conceivable industry uses some of this material in some way. Everything from stovetops to ball point pen barrels to flatware to fasteners has been fabricated from this alloy.

Machinability		Slow speeds and heavy feeds will minimize this alloys tendency to work harden. Due to long stringy chips, the use of chip breakers is advisable. Many companies now offer premium machinability grades, such as CarTech with their Project 70 and 7000 series.

Welding		All fusion and resistance processes have been successfully employed in welding 304. AWS E/ER308 or 312 filler metal is recommended. For cleaner, stronger welds, may users choose 304L which has a controlled low carbon content designed to reduce carbide precipitation at the weld boundaries.

Hot Working		Forging, heading and other hot working should follow uniform heating to 2100-2300 F (1149-1260 C). Rapid cooling is necessary to attain maximum corrosion resistance in finished parts.

Cold Working		Readily fabricated by most cold working methods, 304 may require intermediate annealing to avoid cracking or tearing from radical deformation. Full annealing should follow any operation to reduce internal stress and optimize corrosion resistance.

Annealing		1850-2050 F (1010-1121 C) followed by rapid cooling.

Hardening		This alloy does not respond to heat treatment. Cold work will cause an increase in both hardness and strength.

Physical Data : [top]

Density (lb / cu. in.)	0.285
Specific Gravity	7.9
Specific Heat (Btu/lb/Deg F - [32-212 Deg F])	0.12
Electrical Resistivity (microhm-cm (at 68 Deg F))	432
Melting Point (Deg F)	2650
Modulus of Elasticity Tension	28

Form	Strip
Condition	Extra Full Hard
Temperature	70
Tensile Strength	200
Rockwell	C45
Form	Strip
Condition	Full Hard
Temperature	70
Tensile Strength	185
Yield Strength	140
Elongation	8
Rockwell	C41
Form	Strip
Condition	Half Hard
Temperature	70
Tensile Strength	150
Yield Strength	110
Elongation	17
Rockwell	C32
Form	Strip
Condition	Quarter Hard
Temperature	70
Tensile Strength	125
Yield Strength	75
Elongation	25
Rockwell	C25
Form	Strip
Condition	Three Quarter Hard
Temperature	70
Tensile Strength	175
Yield Strength	135
Elongation	11
Rockwell	C37

[top]
Nickel - www.nidi.org

Copper - www.copper.org

Titanium - www.titanium.org

Steel Lynx - www.mlc.lib.mi.us/~stewarca/steelynx.html

Disclaimer
This information is provided "as is" and Metal Suppliers Online, Inc. makes no warranty of any kind with respect to the subject matter or accuracy of the information contained herein. Metal Suppliers Online, Inc. specifically disclaims all warranties, expressed, implied or otherwise, including without limitation, all warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose.

In no event shall Metal Suppliers Online, Inc. be liable for any special, incidental, indirect or consequential damages of any kind or any damages whatsoever resulting from loss of use, data, profits, whether or not advised of the possibility of damage, and on any theory of liability, arising out of or in connection with the use of the information contained herein.

This publication may include technical inaccuracies or typographical errors. Changes may be periodically made to the information herein.