SS 304 is an austenitic stainless steel with 18.0–20.0% chromium and 8.0–10.5% nickel. Annealed bar delivers 515 MPa minimum tensile strength, 205 MPa minimum yield and 30% minimum elongation to ASTM A276 Condition A. It is the default stainless grade for food and dairy equipment, kitchen and sanitary ware, fasteners, studs, shafts, chemical and pharma fittings and architectural trim. SS 304L is the same steel with carbon held to 0.030% maximum, which makes it the safer choice for welded parts.
OneKaizen sources SS 304 from India's leading mills and international partner mills and supplies it as rolled round bars in Ø 16–500 mm, bright bars in Ø 8–160 mm, bright hex bars in 18–50 mm AF, hot rolled hex bars in 18–60 mm AF, square bars in 20–480 mm, forged bars in Ø 250–1,030 mm, wire rods in Ø 5.5–40 mm and bright wires in Ø 1.5–37 mm. Delivery condition is your choice: annealed, cold drawn, or bright (peeled or ground). Every consignment ships with a mill test certificate.
EQUIVALENT GRADES
SS 304 / 304L Equivalents
Direct means the same grade under another name. Close means the same alloy concept with slightly different limits, commonly substituted. Approximate means similar use with real differences: check with us before substituting.
| Standard | Designation | Match |
|---|---|---|
| BS 970 | 304S31 | Direct |
| BS 970 | 304S11 | Close |
| EN | X5CrNi18-10 (1.4301) | Direct |
| EN | X2CrNi18-9 (1.4307) | Close |
| DIN W.Nr. | 1.4301 | Direct |
| AISI/SAE | 304 | Direct |
| AISI/SAE | 304L | Close |
| UNS | S30400 | Direct |
| UNS | S30403 | Close |
| JIS | SUS304 | Direct |
| JIS | SUS304L | Close |
| KS | STS304 | Direct |
| KS | STS304L | Close |
| GB | 06Cr19Ni10 | Direct |
| GB | 022Cr19Ni10 | Close |
| UNI | X5CrNi18-10 | Direct |
| UNE | X5CrNi18-10 | Direct |
| TS | X5CrNi18-10 | Direct |
SS 304 / 304L Chemical Composition
Per ASTM A276 (304; 304L has C max 0.030)
| Element | Range, wt % | Range chart |
|---|---|---|
| C | ≤ 0.08 | |
| Mn | ≤ 2 | |
| Si | ≤ 1 | |
| P | ≤ 0.045 | |
| S | ≤ 0.03 | |
| Cr | 18 – 20 | |
| Ni | 8 – 10.5 |
SS 304 / 304L and Its Equivalents: Chemical Composition
Equivalent grades are written to different standards, so their limits differ slightly. Use the column for the standard on your drawing or purchase order.
| Element | 304 ASTM A276 | 304L ASTM A276 | X5CrNi18-10 (1.4301) EN 10088-3 | X2CrNi18-9 (1.4307) EN 10088-3 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| C % | ≤ 0.08 | ≤ 0.03 | ≤ 0.07 | ≤ 0.03 |
| Si % | ≤ 1.00 | ≤ 1.00 | ≤ 1.00 | ≤ 1.00 |
| Mn % | ≤ 2.00 | ≤ 2.00 | ≤ 2.00 | ≤ 2.00 |
| P % | ≤ 0.045 | ≤ 0.045 | ≤ 0.045 | ≤ 0.045 |
| S % | ≤ 0.03 | ≤ 0.03 | ≤ 0.03 | ≤ 0.03 |
| Cr % | 18.00–20.00 | 18.00–20.00 | 17.50–19.50 | 17.50–19.50 |
| Ni % | 8.00–10.50 | 8.00–12.00 | 8.00–10.50 | 8.00–10.50 |
| N % | – | – | ≤ 0.11 | ≤ 0.11 |
SS 304 / 304L Mechanical Properties
| Condition | Tensile, MPa | Yield min, MPa | Elongation min, % | Hardness |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annealed (ASTM A276 Cond. A) | ≥ 515 | 205 | 30 | – |
Delivery Condition and Heat Treatment
SS 304 does not harden by heat treatment. We supply it in the annealed condition, where the structure is fully austenitic, soft and tough. Strength rises only through cold work: cold drawn bar is stronger than annealed bar, at lower ductility. Tell us the strength you need and we supply the matching condition.
The chromium forms a passive film that resists atmospheric corrosion, food acids, dairy products and most mild chemicals. It is not a chloride grade. Salt, seawater and bleach-type cleaners cause pitting and crevice attack, and SS 316 is the correct upgrade for those duties.
SS 304 welds readily by the usual arc processes without preheat. For thick sections or parts that cannot be annealed after welding, use 304L, because its lower carbon avoids chromium carbide precipitation in the heat-affected zone. SS 304 work hardens quickly in machining, so use sharp tools, steady feed and no dwelling in the cut.
What We Supply SS 304 / 304L In
Round BarsRolled Ø 16–500 mm · Forged to order↗
Bright BarsRound Ø 8–160 mm · Hex 18–50 mm AF↗
Hex BarsHot rolled 18–60 mm AF · Bright 18–50 mm AF↗
Square BarsSquare 20–480 mm↗
Forged BarsRound Ø 250–1,030 mm · Square 280–800 mm↗
Wire RodsØ 5.5–40 mm↗
Bright WiresWire Ø 1.5–37 mm · Rod feed Ø 5.5–40 mm↗
SS 300 SeriesBar, sheet, plate and forgings to order↗
Where SS 304 / 304L Is Used
Industries: Food processing, Dairy, Pharmaceutical, Chemical, Architecture, Domestic appliances
Compare SS 304 / 304L with Similar Grades
| SS 304 / 304L | SS 316 / 316L | SS 310 / 310S | SS 410 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Why consider it | This grade | More corrosion resistant, contains molybdenum | Better scaling resistance at high temperature | Magnetic hardenable alternative at lower cost |
| C % | ≤ 0.08 | ≤ 0.08 | ≤ 0.08 | ≤ 0.15 |
| Mn % | ≤ 2 | ≤ 2 | ≤ 2 | ≤ 1 |
| Si % | ≤ 1 | ≤ 1 | ≤ 1.5 | ≤ 1 |
| Cr % | 18–20 | 16–18 | 24–26 | 11.5–13.5 |
| Ni % | 8–10.5 | 10–14 | 19–22 | – |
| Mo % | – | 2–3 | – | – |
SS 304 / 304L Questions
What is the difference between SS 304 and 304L?
Carbon. SS 304 allows 0.08% maximum carbon; 304L allows 0.030% maximum. The lower carbon keeps welds free of chromium carbide and the corrosion attack that follows, so choose 304L for welded parts that will not be annealed afterwards. For machined and unwelded parts, 304 is the usual choice.
What is the difference between SS 304 and SS 316?
SS 316 contains 2.0–3.0% molybdenum and 10.0–14.0% nickel; SS 304 contains no molybdenum. The molybdenum gives 316 far better resistance to pitting in chlorides, which is why it is used for marine, chemical and pharma parts. Where chlorides are not a concern, 304 costs less and does the job.
Is SS 304 magnetic?
Annealed SS 304 is essentially non-magnetic. Cold drawing or heavy machining can make it weakly magnetic, so a magnet pulling on a drawn bar does not mean the grade is wrong. Hardenable 410 and 420 are properly magnetic.
Is SS 304 the same as 1.4301?
Yes. 1.4301 (X5CrNi18-10) is the EN number for 304, and SUS304 is the JIS equivalent. 1.4307 (X2CrNi18-9) is the matching number for 304L and is a close equivalent, not an identical one, because it specifies lower carbon.
Can SS 304 be hardened by heat treatment?
No. Austenitic stainless does not respond to quenching. Strength comes only from cold working. If you need a hardenable stainless, look at SS 410 or SS 420.
What is the minimum order for SS 304 bars?
3 tonnes, flexible depending on grade, size and your situation. Send us your size, condition and quantity, with the form you need: round, bright, hex, square, forged bar or wire.
What is SS 304 / 304L equivalent to?
SS 304 / 304L is the same grade as AISI/SAE 304, UNS S30400, EN X5CrNi18-10, DIN W.Nr. 1.4301. Close equivalents are AISI/SAE 304L, UNS S30403, EN X2CrNi18-9, JIS SUS304L, KS STS304L, GB 022Cr19Ni10.
In which forms do you supply SS 304 / 304L?
OneKaizen supplies SS 304 / 304L as Round Bars, Bright Bars, Hex Bars, Square Bars, Forged Bars, Wire Rods, Bright Wires, SS 300 Series, delivered across India and exported to buyers abroad.
Do you supply SS 304 / 304L with a mill test certificate?
Yes. Every lot ships with an EN 10204 3.1 mill test certificate showing chemistry and mechanical properties, traceable to the heat number.
Data compiled by the OneKaizen metallurgy team from the standards named above. Updated 26 October 2026. Equivalents are nearest matches; confirm critical substitutions against the governing standard and mill certificate.