What Does 304 Stand For in Stainless Steel?
AISI 304
Stainless steel 304 is an austenitic grade of stainless steel that has a low thermal conductivity and good corrosion resistance. It is widely used in applications such as piping systems, electrical components, and medical equipment. It is also used in nuclear industrial equipment with Stainless Steel Coil.
Compared to other grades of stainless steel, AISI 304 is a tough material that exhibits good formability. It is used in the aerospace industry, food processing equipment, and chemical machinery. It has good machinability and is non-magnetic. It is usually alloyed with 8-10% nickel, nitrogen, and carbon. It has excellent corrosion resistance in alkaline solutions, most organic acids, and water. It has a high degree of heat resistance and is suitable for use in high-performance environments.
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It is one of the most commonly used stainless steels in the world. It is frequently used in food equipment, water pipelines, automotive parts, and various other applications. It is often referred to as "18/8 stainless steel" because it contains 18 percent chromium and 8% nickel. It is also known as S30400. In addition, the designation X5CrNi18-10 indicates an alloy that has a minimum of 18 percent chromium. It is also commonly referred to as SAE/ANSI 304.
It is a cold-formed metal that does not need to be preheated before it is formed. It is also a soft metal in the solution annealed state. It has a relatively low surface hardness and strength, but a high degree of ductility. It is susceptible to pitting and chloride corrosion. It is also vulnerable to crevice corrosion. It is not as resistant to halide corrosion as other types of stainless steels such as Duplex Stainless Steel 2507. It is also vulnerable to sulphide inclusions that increase the risk of pitting explosion.
A sample of AISI 304 was analyzed using optical microstructures and scanning electron microscopes. It was found that the cross-section after an explosive impact had an optical microstructure near the surface. Moreover, before the explosive treatment, the cross-section had an optical microstructure of the annealed sample. It was also studied with inductively coupled plasma atomic energy spectroscopy to determine the alloy composition.
During the process of manufacturing AISI 304, it is necessary to ensure the cleanliness of instruments and the proper concentration of the different components. Specifically, the temperature of the molten metal should not be increased above 1260 degrees Celsius. It is important to use large amounts of coolants and lubricants. It is possible to make it very ductile by cold working after quenching. In addition, it is not recommended to heat cure the material, because it may lead to weld decay. It should be treated with ultra-low carbon to prevent weld decay.
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Typical tensile strength of AISI 304 is 250 +- 8 MPa. The ultimate tensile strength increases to 920 +- 5 MPa. The yield strength is 620 +- 8 MPa. The tensile energy is measured in J. The yield strength is usually the highest tensile strength of the stainless steel. During the post-weld heat treatment of Stainless Steel Coil 201, it is advisable to add a lubricant in order to reduce the chance of rupture.