what is the difference between grade 304 and 304l stainless steel strip

What’s The Difference Between Grade 304 And 304L Stainless Steel Strip?

“L” does not mean that the length of the 304L stainless steel strip is longer than 304 stainless steel strip coil.

304 and 304L stainless steel strips are common materials and widely used in many industries.

Do you want to know what is the difference between two stainless steel strips?

Difference Between Grade 304 and 304L Stainless Steel Strip

The difference between 304 stainless steel strip and 304L stainless steel strip is not only the carbon chemical components.

Grade 304 stainless steel strip and 304L stainless steel strip belong to austenitic stainless steel, and the corrosion resistance of austenitic stainless steel comes from the chromium oxide protective layer formed on the surface of the stainless steel.

Assuming that the surface finish of stainless steel strip is heated to a high temperature range between 450°C and 900°C, carbon may precipitate in the grain boundary in the form of carbides, and at the same time, a chromium-depleted zone is formed, and the structure of the stainless steel strip will change.

This will form chromium carbide at the edge of the grain boundary.

There is no way to protect the original chromium oxide protective layer, which increases the susceptibility to intergranular corrosion, and leads to a decrease in the corrosion resistance of the treated stainless steel strip.

This corrosion is called “intergranular corrosion“.

difference-between-grade-304-and-304l-stainless-steel-strip

304L stainless steel strip is an ultra-low carbon stainless steel, and its carbon content is much lower than 0.03%.

Because the proportion of carbon content is reduced, chromium carbide is rarely produced, and intergranular corrosion is naturally less.

Therefore, the existence of 304L stainless steel strip is to solve the problem of insufficient intergranular corrosion resistance that 304 stainless steel strip can not achieved.

One thing to note is: higher intergranular corrosion sensitivity does not mean that non-low carbon steel is more prone to corrosion.

Because in a high-chlorine environment, 304 stainless steel strip and 304L stainless steel strip are not resistant to corrosion by media containing chloride ions, and their sensitivity to intergranular corrosion is equally high.

The difference between 304 stainless steel strip and 304L stainless steel strip is not only the carbon content, but also the intergranular corrosion.

Benefits of 304 and 304L Stainless Steel Strip:

benefits-of-304-and-304l-stainless-steel-strip

  • High Strength
  • Excellent Formability and Weldability
  • Excellent Low Temperature Properties
  • Great Response To Hardening By Cold Working
  • High Corrosion And Oxidation Resistance
  • Carefully Controlled Chemical Components
  • Reasonable Cost

Common Applications Of 304 And 304L Stainless Steel Strip

304 stainless steel strip is the most widely used chromium-nickel stainless steel.

It has good corrosion resistance, heat resistance, low temperature strength and mechanical properties.

This strip has good hot workability such as stamping and bending without heat treatment. It is resistant to corrosion in the atmosphere.

It is suitable for food processing line, storage and transportation, plate heat exchangers, bellows, household products, auto parts, medical appliances, building materials, chemicals industry, food industry, agriculture, ship parts, etc.

304 stainless steel is a nationally recognized food grade stainless steel material.

304L stainless steel strip is widely used in automotive structures, chemical industry, food processing industry, marine environment industry, springs, welded parts and heat exchangers industry.

304L stainless steel strip can be also used in heavy industrial applications, especially in high-corrosion environments.

Chemical Composition Of 304 And 304L Stainless Steel Strip

The chemical components of grade 304 stainless steel strip is summarized in the following table:
GradeStandardCSiMnPSCrNiMo
304ASTM A240≤0.07≤0.75≤2.00≤0.045≤0.03018.00-20.008.00-11.00

The chemical components of grade 304L stainless steel strip is summarized in the following table:

GradeStandardCSiMnPSCrNiMo
304LASTM A240≤0.03≤1.00≤2.00≤0.045≤0.03018.00-20.009.00-12.00

How HZW Speed Up Your 304 And 304L Stainless Steel Strip Project

HZW is one of the leading stainless steel strips suppliers in China, experts in manufacturing and exporting precision stainless steel strips products with 16 years’ rich experience.

Our company bears no compromise on every stainless steel strip quality.

We use the prime quality stainless steel mother coils materials along with the advanced equipment and precision production processes.

We revise the orders and take thorough insights before forwarding the order to the final production line.

This makes sure the every production is carried out in the most effective manner with zero errors.

If you want to purchase 304 and 304L stainless steel strips products, why not contact us here for saving your time and money?

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