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Grade 304L, low-carbon austenitic stainless steel

304L Stainless Steel Coil and Sheet

The low-carbon version of 304: carbon at 0.03% max instead of 0.07%. It keeps the corrosion resistance and formability of 304, resists carbide precipitation, and welds without post-weld annealing, for food processing, medical equipment and welded parts in general industry.
Forms
Coil, sheet
Thickness
0.15–3.0 mm
Width
1000 / 1219 / 1240 / 1500 mm
Also known as
EN 1.4307, UNS S30403, SUS304L

Is Sanmei Metal the right supplier for you?

We supply stainless steel together with the processing and technical support that projects and products need.

A good fit if you

Need a specific grade, finish or size for a project, from samples or one coil to a few containers
Want it slit, cut to size or fabricated to your drawing
Need documents: a Mill Test Report with every order, SGS testing on request
Want help choosing the right grade and finish for your application
Build products or projects: equipment housings, architectural interiors, elevator and kitchen work

When buying direct from a mill may suit you better

You need standard grades in full-mill quantities and compare on price per tonne
Not sure which applies to you? Tell us about your order and we will give you our professional advice.

Sizes we supply in 304L.

Standard widths from stock, cut-to-length sheet, and custom slitting for strip-fed production lines.

304L coil

Width
1000, 1219, 1240, 1500 mm, or slit to your width
Thickness
0.15–3.0 mm
Coil weight
3–10 t

304L sheet

Width
1000, 1219, 1240, 1500 mm, or cut to size
Length
2000, 2438, 2500, 3000, 3048 mm
Thickness
0.3–3.0 mm
Every order ships with a Mill Test Report. Sample sheets and small batches are welcome. Standard mill finish: 304L 2B sheet and coil.

304L equivalents.

The same grade under different standards.

ASTM / AISI

304L

UNS

S30403

JIS

SUS304L

EN

1.4307 (X2CrNi18-9)

EN, higher nickel

1.4306 (X2CrNi19-11)

GB

022Cr19Ni10
Tell us what the part is, where it will be used and roughly how many. We confirm the grade and finish before you order.

304L mechanical and physical properties.

Minimum mechanical values (ASTM A240) and typical physical values for annealed 304L, in US and metric units.

Mechanical properties

Property
US
Metric
Yield strength, min.
25 ksi
170 MPa
Tensile strength, min.
70 ksi
485 MPa
Elongation, min.
40%
40%
Hardness, max.
92 HRB
92 HRB

Physical properties

Property
US
Metric
Density
0.285 lb/in³
7.89 g/cm³
Modulus of elasticity
28 × 10⁶ psi
193 GPa
Thermal expansion, 68–212 °F
9.2 × 10⁻⁶ /°F
16.6 µm/m·°C
Thermal conductivity
9.4 Btu/ft·hr·°F
16.3 W/m·K
Specific heat
0.12 Btu/lb·°F
502 J/kg·K
Electrical resistivity
28.3 µΩ·in
71.9 µΩ·cm

Chemical composition, % by weight, max. unless a range (ASTM A240)

Grade
C
Cr
Ni
Mn
Si
N
P
S
304L
0.030
17.5–19.5
8.0–12.0
2.00
0.75
0.10
0.045
0.030
Tell us what the part is, where it will be used and roughly how many. We confirm the grade and finish before you order.

Corrosion, heat and the shop floor.

Better corrosion resistance and weldability than 304 make 304L the choice for heavily welded parts and corrosive service.

Corrosion resistance

Low carbon resists carbide precipitation, so 304L holds up where intergranular corrosion after welding is a concern.

Heat resistance

Recommended over 304 for continuous use at 425–860 °C in corrosive environments. Oxidation resistance up to 870 °C intermittent and 925 °C continuous.

Machining

Similar to 304. Use sharp tools and enough coolant or lubricant to prevent work hardening and heat build-up.

Welding

Welds with all standard techniques, without post-weld annealing, for parts that need extensive welding.

Hot working

1149–1260 °C, followed by rapid cooling.

Annealing

1010–1120 °C, then rapid cooling, to relieve internal stress and restore corrosion resistance.

Heat treatment

Cannot be hardened by heat treatment; solution treat or anneal instead.

Limitations

Slightly lower tensile and yield strength than 304, because of the lower carbon.
Have a drawing, cut list or sample photo? Upload it and we review it and send you a quote.

Finishes and processing from Sanmei Metal.

Mill finishes, decorative finishes made in our own facility, and coil and sheet cut to your size.

Decorative finishes

Nickel Silver Hairline Stainless Steel Sheet S26HL-01 (3)
Hairline
Nickel Silver Satin Stianless Steel Sheet S26ST-01 (3)
Satin
black mirror polised stainless steel
Mirror
Nickel Silver Vibration Stainless Steel Sheet S26VB-01 (2)
Vibration

Mill finishes

Processing

Precision slitting
Cut to length
Shearing
Edge trimming
Blanking
Surface polishing

304, 304L or 304LV?

A simple way to choose between the three.

304L

The most versatile option, meeting the needs of most general industrial applications, and the one to pick for welded parts.

304LV

A 304L with added nitrogen for higher yield and tensile strength, for specialized high-strength uses such as pressure vessels.

304

The standard grade, for general use where parts are not heavily welded. Slightly stronger than 304L.

What is the difference between 304 and 304L?

304 is the standard austenitic grade with carbon up to 0.07%. 304L keeps carbon under 0.03%, which gives better weldability and better resistance to intergranular corrosion after welding, with slightly lower strength. Choose 304L for welded parts and corrosive service.

What is the difference between 304L and 304LV?

304LV is 304L with added nitrogen. The nitrogen raises yield and tensile strength while keeping the low carbon, so 304LV suits applications that need more strength, such as high-pressure vessels.
Not sure which fits?
Ask us which grade fits

304L stainless steel FAQ.

Questions buyers ask before ordering 304L.

Does 304L need post-weld annealing?

304L welds with all standard techniques and does not need post-weld annealing.

Is 304L stronger than 304?

304L‘s lower carbon gives slightly lower tensile and yield strength: 25 ksi yield and 70 ksi tensile minimum, against 30 and 75 ksi for 304.

Can 304L be hardened?

Not by heat treatment. It is solution treated or annealed instead.

What are the equivalents of 304L?

UNS S30403, EN 1.4307, JIS SUS304L and GB 022Cr19Ni10.

What sizes do you supply?

Coil in 1000, 1219, 1240 and 1500 mm widths or slit to size, 0.15–3.0 mm thick. Sheet in the same widths, 2000 to 3048 mm long, 0.3–3.0 mm thick.
Can't find what you want?
Tell us about your project
Question not answered here? Ask us directly and our team will reply in person.

Why project buyers work with Sanmei Metal

Material-driven, engineering-supported, execution-ready. One supplier from the mill to your site.
1

Source from leading partner mills

Base coil from Lisco, Tisco, Jisco, Posco PZSS, Yongjin and Hongwang, each batch with its Mill Test Report.
Our mill partners
2

Finish in-house

PVD, water plating and surface finishing under one roof at our Foshan facility.
Decorative finishes
3

Engineer and fabricate

Our engineers review drawings so profiles and panels can be made and installed.
Architectural metal works
4

Protect and ship

Film matched to laser cutting or stamping, and crates or steel frames packed for sea freight.
Packing and filming
Technical questions about grades, finishes or tolerances?
Technical guide

Documents you can check.

Every order ships with a Mill Test Report traced to its heat number, and SGS testing is available on request. These are real documents from our mill partners and our project work.
Certifications shown belong to Sanmei and its fabrication partners. Click a document to see it full size.

Tell us about your project.

Send a drawing, a reference photo or just the grade and size. Our team replies with material advice, finish options, samples and a quote.
What helps us answer fastest
Drawing, sketch or reference photo
Grade and thickness, if you know them
Finish or color you have in mind
Quantity and delivery location
Tell us about your project →
Samples and small batches are welcome.

Contact us

Creating Center, Shunde District, Foshan City, Guangdong Province, 528315, China

    Headquarters:
    Creating Center, No.142, Yuhe Road, Lecong Town, Shunde District, Foshan City, Guangdong Province, China. 528315

    Factory: Liyuan Logistics City, Chencun Town, Shunde District, Foshan City, Guangdong Province, China. 528313

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    List every size you need, each with its own finish and quantity. Small batches are welcome. We'll reply by email shortly. You can also write to us at marketing@sanmeimetal.com.

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