Stainless Steel, Austenitic1.4301 (304)

The most versatile and widely used chromium-nickel (18/8) austenitic stainless steel.

Stainless steel types 1.4301 and 1.4307 are also known as grades 304 and 304L respectively. Type 304 is the most versatile and widely used stainless steel. It is still sometimes referred to by its old name 18/8 which is derived from the nominal composition of type 304 being 18% chromium and 8% nickel.


Type 304 stainless steel is an austenitic grade that can be severely deep drawn. This property has resulted in 304 being the dominant grade used in applications like sinks and saucepans.

Type 304L is the low carbon version of 304. It is used in heavy gauge components for improved weldability. Some products such as plate and pipe may be available as “dual certified” material that meets the criteria for both 304 and 304L.


304H, a high carbon content variant, is also available for use at high temperatures.

Property data given in this document is typical for bar/section and sheet/plate to EN 10088-3:2005 and EN 1008-2:2005 respectively, ASTM, EN or other standards may cover products sold. It is reasonable to expect specifications in these standards to be similar but not necessarily identical to those given in this datasheet.

Talk to an expertDownload PDF

Range

Product FormDescriptionMetric SizesImperial Sizes
Round BarBright Drawn H92.0mm - 25.0mm1⁄8" - 1"
Round BarSmooth Turned H9/H1025.0mm - 60.0mm1" - 3"
Flat BarRolled Edge12mm x 3mm - 100mm x 12mm
Square Bar304S11/S3112mm x 12mm - 50mm x 50mm
Angle304S3120mm x 20mm x 3mm - 100mm x 100mm x 10mm
Welded Ornamental TubeMirror Polished 600 Grit30mm - 50mm1⁄2" - 4"
Welded TubeSatin Polished 320 Grit16mm - 50mm1⁄2" - 2"
Square TubeWelded, Dull Polished12.7mm x 12.7mm - 10mm - 100mm
Handrail SectionWelded, Unannealed, Dull Polished42.40mm - 60.30 (2.5mm wall)1 1⁄2" - 4 " (3mm wall)
Square TubeWelded, Unpolished12.7mm x 12.7mm - 250mm x 250mm
Rectangular TubeWelded, Unpolished80mm x 40mm - 250mm x 150mm
Rectangular TubeWelded, Dull Polished20mm x 10mm - 150mm x 100mm

Sheet

Product TypeSheet SizeThicknesses
Sheet 2B Finish2000 x 10000.5mm - 3.0mm
Sheet 2B Finish2500 x 12500.5mm - 6.0mm
Sheet 2B Finish3000 x 15000.9mm - 3.0mm
Sheet 2R (BA) Finish2000 x 10000.5mm - 2.0mm
Sheet 2R (BA) Finish2500 x 12500.5mm - 2.0mm
Polished Sheet 240 Silicon2000 x 10000.6mm - 3.0mm
Polished Sheet 240 Silicon2500 x 12500.7mm - 6.0mm
Polished Sheet 240 Silicon3000 x 15001.0mm - 3.0mm
Perforated Sheet (Round Holes)2000 x 10001.0mm - 1.5mm
Perforated Sheet (Round Holes)2500 x 12500.7mm - 1.5mm
Perforated Sheet (Square Holes)2000 x 10001.5mm

CPP Plate ID Finish

2000 x 10003.0mm - 6.0mm
CPP Plate ID Finish

2500 x 1250

3.0mm - 12.0mm
CPP Plate ID Finish3000 x 15003.0mm - 12.0mm
CPP Plate ID Finish4000 x 20002.0mm - 12.0mm
Qaurto Plate ID Finish5" - 125"-
Welded Mesh90" x 48"-
Treadplate3000 x 10003.0mm
Traedplate3000 x 12504.5mm - 8.0mm
If you do not see what you are looking for, please contact your local service centre with your specific requirements.

Related Specifications

Stainless steel grade 1.4301/304 also corresponds to the following designations but may not be a direct equivalent:

  • S30400
  • 304S15
  • 304S16
  • 304S31
  • EN58E

Properties

Chemical Composition

Applications

  • Sinks and splashbacks
  • Saucepans
  • Cutlery and flatware
  • Architectural panelling
  • Sanitaryware and troughs
  • Tubing
  • Brewery, dairy, food and pharmaceutical production equipment
  • Springs, nuts, bolts and screws

Characteristics

  • Excellent welding & forming properties
  • High corrosion resistance
  • Excellent drawing properties
  • Machinability is reasonable

Additional Information

Weldability

Find your local Service Centre

An extensive UK network of Service Centres, backed up by a central distribution facility.

  • Experienced multi-product specialists

  • In-house state of the art processing facilities

  • Large fleet of bespoke delivery vehicles

ManchesterGlasgowBirminghamNorwichBedfordPortsmouthEdenbridgeSales CentreBristolPlymouthCardiffSales CentreLeeds
RBL Truck Retouched
RBL Truck Retouched
Cyber Essentials Plus21st Century Supply Chains21st Century Supply Chains