General Forming
304 is widely selected for sheet-metal shaping. Severe forming still needs tooling trials and a known temper.
Global Steel Supply & Processing
UNS S30400 | ASTM A240/A240M-26 | EN 1.4301
304 COIL / DISTRIBUTORS / INDUSTRIAL FABRICATION
Source 304 stainless steel coil for food equipment fabrication, commercial kitchens, industrial components and general corrosion-resistant sheet-metal work. Confirm the surface finish, thickness, width, edge, coil weight and material certificate in one factory quotation.
Explore 304 coil specifications ↓Use the confirmed product standard and your end-use requirements to define gauge, finish, surface protection and coil handling. These ranges are enquiry examples rather than a live stock list.
| Specification | 304 Stainless Steel Coil — RFQ Reference |
|---|---|
| Product / UNS | 304 / UNS S30400 — austenitic chromium-nickel stainless steel |
| European grade | EN 1.4301 (a related grade designation; verify contracted EN requirements) |
| Grade / material standard | ASTM A240/A240M-26 — applicable plate, sheet and strip |
| General requirements | ASTM A480/A480M-25b — flat-rolled stainless steel |
| Cold-worked specification | ASTM A666/A666M-24, only when specified in the purchase order |
| Cold-rolled coil thickness | Illustrative RFQ range 0.30–3.00 mm; availability and tolerance to confirm |
| Hot-rolled coil thickness | Illustrative RFQ range 3.00–8.00 mm; thickness and coil form to confirm |
| Coil width | Illustrative RFQ range 600–1,500 mm; slit widths by quotation |
| Common surface requests | 2B / BA / No. 1 / No. 4 / directional polished, subject to gauge |
| Edge | Mill edge or slit edge; burr limits by agreement |
| Coil ID / coil mass | Common inquiries 508 / 610 mm ID and shipment-compatible net coil mass |
| Finish / processing | Annealed and pickled; bright annealed; skin-passed or polished as ordered |
| Documents | Agreed mill test certificate, heat identification and inspection scope |
| Sales basis | Bulk supply quotation based on grade, size, finish, quantity and delivery terms |
Nominal grade alone does not establish finish, temper, edge condition or the acceptance certificate. Define the delivery condition before comparing quotations.
The chemistry below is a conventional Type 304 / UNS S30400 reference. A mill heat analysis and the actual purchase standard govern acceptance of the delivered steel.
| Element | Limit (Mass %) | Ordering Relevance |
|---|---|---|
| Chromium (Cr) | 18.00–20.00% | Key constituent of the passive surface film. |
| Nickel (Ni) | 8.00–10.50% | Contributes to stable austenitic structure. |
| Carbon (C) | ≤0.08% | Check a separate low-carbon 304L requirement when applicable. |
| Manganese (Mn) | ≤2.00% | Controlled as part of the melt chemistry. |
| Silicon (Si) | ≤1.00% | Controlled minor alloy element. |
| Phosphorus (P) | ≤0.045% | Specified residual limit. |
| Sulfur (S) | ≤0.030% | Specified residual limit. |
| Nitrogen (N) | ≤0.10% | Check product-form and standard edition. |
| Iron (Fe) | Balance | Remainder of the alloy chemistry. |
Type 304 generally permits carbon up to 0.08%. Type 304L is a separately specified low-carbon grade, commonly limited to 0.03%, and may be preferable for particular welded fabrication conditions.
Grade selection: Type 304 performs well in many mildly corrosive environments. Strong chlorides, salt deposition and certain chemical services require a corrosion assessment; 304 and 316L are not universally interchangeable.
The following are commonly published minima for annealed 304 flat-rolled products. Ordered cold-worked temper, gauge and test direction require their own acceptance limits.
| Property | Reference | Condition / Note |
|---|---|---|
| Tensile strength (Rm) | ≥515 MPa | Annealed flat-rolled 304 reference |
| 0.2% proof / yield strength (Rp0.2) | ≥205 MPa | Annealed reference; cold rolling changes strength |
| Elongation | ≥40% | Applicable annealed reference testing |
| Hardness | ≤92 HRB | Published annealed product data; verify contract |
| Mass density | 7.90 g/cm³ | Nominal estimate for coil calculator |
Cold reduction increases strength through work hardening and can reduce remaining forming ductility. A strength number without the delivery condition is incomplete.
304 is widely selected for sheet-metal shaping. Severe forming still needs tooling trials and a known temper.
Conventional 304 has useful weldability. Review heat input, sensitization concerns and possible 304L selection.
The passive surface helps in many industrial settings; chloride level, temperature and cleaning practice influence suitability.
Surface finish affects appearance, cleaning, forming and protection during shipment. State both the surface designation and any visual acceptance criteria.
Typically cold rolled, annealed, pickled and lightly skin-passed. A practical choice for fabrication where a consistent mill surface is needed.
A more reflective finish produced using a controlled atmosphere annealing route; specify handling and surface protection for visible parts.
Hot-rolled, annealed and descaled/pickled material for equipment and further processing.
Processed finishes for decorative or visible components; state grain direction and acceptable appearance.
Agree protective film, visible face, scratch criteria, edge and packaging before production.
Finish codes describe processing routes; actual roughness, reflectivity and directional pattern can differ by supplier. Approve samples or reference finish specifications for visually critical projects.
A disciplined specification helps keep the chemical grade, physical coil form and processing requirements consistent across repeat purchases.
304 / UNS S30400, contract edition, annealed or cold-worked condition, and any dual 304/304L request.
Nominal thickness and width, tolerances, edge, coil ID, target net mass, allowable telescoping and winding.
2B, BA, No. 1, No. 4 or other approved finish; protective film, visible face and cleanliness.
Total tonnage, discharge port, incoterm, handling limits, material certificate and required shipment window.
Include the ordered grade, intended use and a list of acceptable dimensional and finish tolerances.
304 is a versatile chromium-nickel stainless grade for general fabrication. Its final performance still depends on surface condition, welding, cleaning and the service environment.
Specify coil for roll forming, presswork, slitting or subsequent welding. Keep final appearance, edge quality and component performance in the same enquiry.
Equipment housings, processing surfaces and components where the project requires suitable cleanability and material documentation.
Worktops, fittings, enclosures and sheet-metal parts using an appropriate mill or polished finish.
Mild-service enclosures, tanks and covers; verify operating medium and fabrication procedure.
Interior and selected exterior cladding, trims and panels where the exposure assessment supports 304.
Formed panels, brackets, appliance components and equipment skins with controlled appearance.
Coil input for strip processing or tubing production when edge quality and dimensions are specified.
Equipment that contacts food or chemicals may require additional hygienic design, cleaning and regulatory compliance checks. A 304 grade certificate by itself does not certify a finished product.
Estimate running length from nominal coil thickness, width and net steel mass. A 7.90 g/cm³ nominal density is used for 304; actual coil mass and gauge tolerances affect the result.
Enter positive values. The output updates as the four inputs change.
Nominal formula: kg/m = thickness (mm) × width (mm) × 0.00790. Length = net coil kg ÷ kg/m. This excludes strapping, packaging, mandrels, non-steel coatings and measurement tolerances.
Useful when planning slitting, blanking or line consumption. A final order should also specify the usable strip condition and inspection requirements.
The production route influences dimensional control, surface quality and final mechanical condition. Confirm the route needed for the contract, especially when uniform appearance or controlled forming is important.
Plan grade-specific stainless coil procurement with a clear specification, test documentation and an export quotation aligned to your production schedule.
8 million MT annual production is an overall steel-business figure, not a claim of 304-only output.
Group gauges, widths, finishes and delivery lots into a single purchase enquiry for quotation.
Request agreed MTC, chemistry verification and finish acceptance with the order.
Define protective packing, coil lifting requirements, destination and agreed delivery terms.
Some buyers need full-width coil; others need narrow strip or cut sheets. Include the downstream process and surface presentation so the requested processing route can be checked before pricing.
A material certificate helps connect the declared grade to the delivered heat. For a visible or formed component, add agreed surface and dimensional criteria to the inspection plan.
A 304 coil enquiry should identify the exact material condition, finish, gauge and packing dimensions. Order-level availability and lead times are checked against the requested specification.
The company-wide inventory figure describes the broader steel portfolio. It does not establish that every 304 thickness or finish is on the floor today.
Packing should match the coil-eye orientation, surface finish, destination handling and transport route. Visible BA or polished material can require additional protective measures.
Compare alloys by corrosion exposure, forming, welding, magnetism and budget—not by a generic grade name alone.
Share the service temperature, chloride exposure, processing route and surface requirements for a grade-focused quotation.
Common questions covering Type 304 chemistry, 304L comparison, surface selection, fabrication, coil length and documentation.
304 / UNS S30400 is an austenitic chromium-nickel stainless steel supplied as flat-rolled coil or strip for further fabrication.
ASTM A240/A240M-26 covers the applicable stainless steel flat products; ASTM A480/A480M-25b covers associated general requirements. Specify the purchased edition.
Conventional ASTM Type 304 references chromium at 18–20% and nickel at 8–10.5%. The contract and heat analysis decide acceptance.
304L has a lower carbon requirement and is often selected where weld sensitization is a concern. Request 304/304L dual certification only when mill test results and the product standard support it.
316L typically contains molybdenum and offers improved pitting resistance in some chloride exposures. Actual suitability depends on temperature, concentration, crevices and cleaning; consult your design requirements.
Common RFQs include 2B and BA cold-rolled surfaces, No. 1 hot-rolled finish and processed No. 4 or hairline finishes. Confirm finish availability for the exact dimensions.
Annealed austenitic 304 is generally weakly magnetic; deformation can create magnetic response through work hardening. A magnet test alone does not establish grade identity.
304 is frequently specified for food processing equipment, but finished equipment must meet the applicable hygiene, design, cleaning and regulatory requirements.
Many common 2B and BA products are annealed, but orders can include cold-worked conditions. State the required temper and confirm it on documentation.
Slitting can be requested, with the finished width, edge burr, coil inner diameter, surface protection and total tonnage specified in the RFQ.
Use the estimate kg/m = thickness (mm) × width (mm) × 0.00790, then net coil mass in kg divided by kg per metre. Actual net length varies with gauge and mass tolerance.
Specify the required MTC, heat identification, chemistry and mechanical test records, dimensions, finish, inspection level, packing list and destination documents.
Provide 304 / UNS S30400, your product standard, thickness, width, finish, coil ID and required tonnage. Include downstream processing, surface protection, documentation and delivery requirements for a usable quotation.
Send your required grade, dimensions, quantity and destination. Our team will review the inquiry.