SS 304 — Sheet, Plate, Coil, Pipe & Tube & Fittings
Also sold as AISI 304 · UNS S30400 · W.Nr 1.4301 · 18/8 stainless
SS 304 is a austenitic chromium-nickel stainless steel, chosen for general corrosion resistance, food, water and architectural work. We supply it as sheet, plate, coil, pipe & tube, fittings, flanges, fasteners, with EN 10204 3.1 certificates, from Mumbai to India, the Gulf, South-East Asia, South America, Europe, the UK and the USA.
- UNS S30400
- W.Nr 1.4301
- PREN ≈ 18
- ρ 8 g/cm³
Reviewed by the Kanak Steel & Engineering Co. technical team · Updated October 2026
SS 304 Names, Designations & Composition
SS 304 is one alloy sold under several names. Its UNS number is S30400, the European material number is W.Nr 1.4301 and the EN name is X5CrNi18-10. The chart on the right shows the specified range of each main alloying element; the balance is the base metal.
SS 304 Specifications by Product — Which Standard Applies?
The material standard changes with the product form. This is the table buyers ask for most.
| Product | Material standard | Dimensions |
|---|---|---|
| SS 304 sheet | ASTM A240 | ASTM A480 / B906 |
| SS 304 plate | ASTM A240 | ASTM A480 / B906 / A20 |
| SS 304 coil | ASTM A240 | ASTM A480 |
| SS 304 pipe & tube | ASTM A312 TP304 · ASTM A312 · A358 | ASME B36.19 / B36.10 |
| SS 304 fittings | ASTM A403 WP304 · ASTM A182 F304 | ASME B16.9 · B16.11 |
| SS 304 flanges | ASTM A182 F304 | ASME B16.5 · B16.47 |
| SS 304 fasteners | ASTM A193 B8 · A194 8 | ASME B18.2.1 · B18.2.2 |
SS 304 Chemical Composition
Under technical review for TDS.
| Element | Current requirement |
|---|---|
| Chromium | As specified |
| Nickel | As specified |
| Carbon | As specified |
| Manganese | As specified |
| Silicon | As specified |
| Nitrogen | As specified |
| Phosphorus | As specified |
| Sulphur | As specified |
| Iron | As specified |
Numerical specification requirements are published only after the applicable current standard edition has been verified. Governing specification to be verified: ASTM A240 for UNS S30400.
SS 304 Mechanical Properties
Under technical review for TDS.
| Property | Current requirement |
|---|---|
| Tensile strength | As specified |
| Yield strength 0.2% | As specified |
| Elongation | As specified |
| Hardness | As specified |
Numerical specification requirements are published only after the applicable current standard edition has been verified. Governing specification and condition to be verified: ASTM A240 for UNS S30400 — Annealed plate & sheet.
Density & Physical Properties
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Density | 8 g/cm³ |
| Melting range | 1400 – 1450 °C |
| Magnetic | Non-magnetic annealed; slightly magnetic after cold work |
| PREN (approx.) | ≈ 18 |
SS 304 Equivalent Grades
SS 304 Corrosion Resistance — What Each Element Does
About 18% chromium forms the passive film that makes the steel stainless.
Nickel keeps the structure austenitic — tough at low temperature and easy to form and weld.
Standard carbon level: fine for most work, but choose 304L where heavy sections are welded and service is corrosive.
Without molybdenum, 304 pits in chlorides — step up to 316L for coastal or salty service.
Where Is SS 304 Used? Applications
SS 304 vs 316L, 304L and 904L
| Grade | PREN (approx.) | Pick it for |
|---|---|---|
| SS 304L | ≈ 18 | Welded tanks, piping and vessels in general corrosive service |
| SS 304 | ≈ 18 | General corrosion resistance, food, water and architectural work |
| SS 316 / 316L | ≈ 24 | Chloride-bearing process fluids, marine air and pharmaceutical service |
| SS 904L | ≈ 35 | Dilute sulphuric acid, phosphoric acid and chloride-bearing cooling water |
Welding SS 304
| Matching filler | ER308 / ER308L (AWS A5.9) |
|---|---|
| Also used | ER309L for dissimilar joints to carbon steel |
SS 304 for export
FOB / CIF · Nhava Sheva (JNPT), MumbaiSS 304 — questions buyers ask
What is SS 304?
SS 304 is a austenitic chromium-nickel stainless steel. It is chosen for general corrosion resistance, food, water and architectural work.
Which standards cover SS 304 products?
Sheet: ASTM A240; Plate: ASTM A240; Coil: ASTM A240; Pipe & Tube: ASTM A312 TP304 · ASTM A312 · A358; Fittings: ASTM A403 WP304 · ASTM A182 F304; Flanges: ASTM A182 F304; Fasteners: ASTM A193 B8 · A194 8. Always name the standard and edition on your order.
What is the UNS number of SS 304?
UNS S30400, with the European material number W.Nr 1.4301.
What is the density of SS 304?
8 g/cm³ — use it to calculate weights: plate kg = L(m) × W(m) × t(mm) × 8.
SS 304 or SS 904L?
SS 304 suits general corrosion resistance, food, water and architectural work; SS 904L is the step up for dilute sulphuric acid, phosphoric acid and chloride-bearing cooling water.
Sources: the ASTM / ASME specifications named on this page and producer datasheets · Last updated October 2026