Alloy 304 a T-300 series stainless steel austenitic, which has a minimum of 18% chromium and 8% nickel. Type 304 has
a maximum carbon of 0.07% . It is the standard "18/8 stainless" that is commonly found in pans and cooking tools. Alloy
304 is the most versatile and widely used alloy in the stainless steel family. Ideal for a wide variety of home and commercial
applications, Alloy 304 exhibits excellent corrosion resistance and has a high ease of fabrication, outstanding formability.
The austenitic stainless steels are also considered to be the most weldable of the high-alloy steels and can be welded by
all fusion and resistance welding processes.
Corrosion Resistance:
★Resistance to moderately aggressive organic acids is a result of the 9 to 11% nickel that the 304 alloys contain.
★Resistance to corrosion in oxidizing environments is a result of the 18 to 19% chromium that the 304 alloys contain.
★The 304, 304L, and 304H may be considered to perform uniformly in most corrosive environments.
Heat Resistance:
★Continuous use of 304 in the 800-1580°F range is not recommended if subsequent aqueous corrosion resistance is
important.
Machinability:
★The use of chip breakers is advised since the chips can be stringy. Stainless steel work harden rapidly, heavy positive
feeds, sharp tooling, and a rigid set-up should be used.of cut below the work-hardened layer resulting from the previous
passes.