Learn About Stainless Steel 304 Yield Strength

Yield strength is a useful measurement when choosing a material. Stainless steel 304 has good corrosion resistance and can be used for many applications. 304 Stainless steel's properties include good ductility and weldability. As a result, it can be used in a variety of different environments.

Yield strength measures how strong a material is under a specified load.

The higher the number the more better it is. Type 304 has a range of elastic moduli, from 193 to 200 GPa. This number represents how well a material retains its shape under stress. Higher moduli mean a material is more resistant to failure, while lower moduli mean it is easier to work with.

Why 304 Stainless Steel Is A Popular Choice

Type304 is one of the widely used stainless steel alloy. Because it is low in carbon, the material becomes impervious to exposure to atmospheric radiation and media that are corrosive. The lower carbon content decreases the likelihood of precipitation of carbide during welding. This is why it's an ideal choice for any service that needs the use of corrosive.

Type 304 stainless is an austenitic chromium-nickel alloy that has outstanding formability and resistance to corrosion. AISI 304 is often referred to as 18/8 stainless steel, since it contains approximately eight to ten percent nickel. It is commonly used in welding, as well as in oil and gas handling equipment and food processing.

304 Stainless Steel's Usage

Type 304 is very popular for industrial applications, including brewing equipment, pipelines, fermenting vats, storage tanks, and railroad cars. It is also used in the citrus and fruit juice industries. The chemical and pharmaceutical industries also use 304L for many types of equipment. It is also used for architectural trim.

Stainless Steel 304 Vs 316 Yield Strength

The difference between SS 304 vs 316 is mainly, the 304 alloy has outstanding low-temperature properties, with an increase in yield and tensile strength, without loss of toughness during the annealed state. 316 is a high-quality low-temperature material that are enhanced in tensile and yield strength, without losing its toughness when in the process of annealing.

Annealed at Elevated Temperatures

Temperature 0C	20	550	650	760	870
304 SS Yield Strength Mpa	240	130	115	95	70
316 SS Yield Strength Mpa	590	500	460	355	260

Annealed at Zero and Sub-Zero Temperatures

Temperature 0C	0	-70	-130	-180	-240
304 SS Yield Strength Mpa	260	300	350	375	450
316 SS Yield Strength Mpa	310	350	470	530	600

Both 304 and 304L stainless steel materials are able to be polished to a range of finishes. Both types have the same chromium and nickel content, and are similar to each other in other chemical compositions. However, heat treatment will not make either type stronger. It will increase the surface hardness of 304 SS, but will not make it any softer.

Compared to other grades of stainless steel, AISI 304 SS density is higher than its competitors. This means that a given piece of 304 steel is easier to manipulate and work with, allowing you to get the most out of it. However, this high density is not always beneficial for your applications, as it may cause a greater risk of fracture under stressful conditions. These are some things to consider when deciding between AISI 304 or 304L.