304/304H Stainless Steel Plate
Stainless Metal Grades to Fit Your Needs
304 Stainless Steel Plate
Grade 304 stainless steel is the world’s most commonly used austenitic stainless steel grade. Its well-balanced blend of steel, chromium (≥ 18%), and nickel (≥ 8%) gives this alloy exceptional strength, toughness, and durability. These desirable material properties make it optimal for industries and applications that require exceptional corrosion and heat resistance.
304H Stainless Steel Plate
Grade 304H stainless steel is a high-carbon version of regular Grade 304 (between 0.04 and 0.1% percent). The higher carbon content increases the alloy’s strength in elevated temperatures, which makes it suitable for applications that require higher temperatures and corrosion resistance. Also, this alloy offers a higher tolerance for extreme thermal conditions.
Sabre Alloys specializes in providing a wide variety of both common and exotic stainless steel plate grades. We carry 304 & 304H plate options in up to 120” in width, up to 3.5” in thickness, and up to 480” in length. Along with 304/304H stainless steel plate, Sabre Alloys also offers 304 & 304H bar.
Note: Ranges vary by mill and specific product form. Contact us for availability on sizes outside standard stocking range.
Wide plate options up to 120”, thickest plate up to 6”, long plate cut up to 301.”
0.188-3.5″
Thickness
96-240″/480″
Length
48-96″/120″
Width
Choosing 304/304H Plate from Sabre
Grade 304 and 304H stainless steel plate offer exceptional performance and versatility at an affordable price for indoor and outdoor use.
key advantages and benefits include
- Superior heat tolerance
- High tensile and yield strength
- Enhanced durability and toughness
- Easy to clean and maintain
- Excellent resistance to staining
- Exceptional corrosion and oxidation resistance
- High ease of fabrication
- Outstanding formability and weldability
- Attractive, appealing appearance
- Non-magnetic
While Grade 304 plate is resistant to corrosion from most oxidizing acids, it is susceptible to corrosion from chloride solutions or saline environments (for example, those near saltwater).
Technical Specifications & Properties
Chemical Composition
| Element | 304 | 304H |
| Chromium (Cr) | 18.0-20.0% | 18.0-20.0% |
| Nickel (Ni) | 8.0-10.5% | 8.0-10.5% |
| Carbon (C) | ≤0.08% | 0.04-0.10% |
| Manganese (Mn) | ≤2.0% | ≤2.0% |
| Silicon (Si) | ≤1.0% | ≤1.0% |
| Phosphorus (P) | ≤0.045% | ≤0.045% |
| Sulfur (S) | ≤0.030% | ≤0.030% |
| Nitrogen (N) | ≤0.10% | ≤0.10% |
| Iron (Fe) | Balance | Balance |
High-Temperature Performance
- Maximum service temperature: Good resistance to oxidation in intermittent service up to 1600°F (870°C) and in continuous service to 1700°F (925°C)
- Continuous use: Continuous use at 800-1580°F (425-860°C) is not recommended if subsequent aqueous corrosion resistance is important due to carbide precipitation
- 304H advantage:
- Where high strength is required at temperatures above 932°F (500°C) and up to 1472°F (800°C), grade 304H is recommended
- Due to its controlled carbon content of 0.04% to 0.10%, 304H provides improved high temperature strength when exposed to temperatures above 800°F (427°C)
Corrosion Resistance
Grade 304 offers excellent corrosion resistance in a wide variety of environments and when in contact with different corrosive media:
- Oxidizing Solutions: High chromium content provides resistance to oxidizing solutions such as nitric acid up to 55% weight and up to 176°F (80°C)
- Chloride Resistance: Considered resistant to pitting corrosion in water with up to about 400 mg/L chlorides at ambient temperatures, reducing to about 150 mg/L at 140°F (60°C)
- Limitations: Does not perform well in more highly reducing environments, such as those containing chlorides and sulfuric acid
- Pitting and crevice corrosion can occur in environments containing chlorides
- Stress corrosion cracking can occur at temperatures over 140°F (60°C)
Fabrication & Welding Characteristics
- Welding: Fusion welding performance is excellent both with and without fillers. Recommended filler rods and electrodes for 304 is grade 308 stainless steel
- Post-weld treatment: Heavy-welded sections may require post-weld annealing
- Carbide precipitation: Because of its high carbon content, 304H is subject to carbide precipitation in the heat-affected zone of welds
- Heat Treatment: Solution treatment or annealing can be done by rapid cooling after heating to 1850-2050°F (1010-1120°C)
- Hardening: Cannot be hardened by heat treatment
- Cold Working: Can be strengthened by cold working; it is weakest in the annealed condition, and is strongest in the full-hard condition
- Hot Working: Working temperatures of 1380-2100°F (750-1150°C) are recommended for most hot working processes
- For maximum corrosion resistance, the material should be annealed at 1900°F (1038°C) minimum and water quenched or rapidly cooled after hot working
Grade 304 and 304H Stainless Steel Processing Services
In conjunction with our extensive material stock, Sabre Alloys offers various steel processing services to meet our customers’ material requirements. Our value-added stainless steel services allow us to meet exact specifications with short turnaround times.
Sabre Alloys offers the following 304 and 304H stainless steel plate processing services:
304 and 304H Grade Stainless Steel Applications
Because of its ideal combination of desirable material qualities, versatility, and affordability, Grade 304 and 304H stainless steel plate have vast applications in numerous industries. Some common applications include food-processing and dairy equipment, kitchen appliances, heat exchangers, pressure valves, pipelines, architectural panels, construction materials, and more.
Sabre Alloys streamlines our customers’ Grade 304 and 304H stainless steel plate supply chain in numerous industries by reducing the lead time associated with stainless steel acquisition and processing. View All Industries to see a comprehensive list of our applications.
industries served
Contact Sabre Alloys
As a full-service stainless steel distributor, Sabre Alloys prides itself on getting you the steel you need, exactly how and when you need it. Let us help you save time and money with our high-quality Grade 304 and 304H stainless steel plate and processing services.
For more information about our Grade 304 and 304H plate products, please Contact Our Team at Sabre Alloys today.
Your Quality Supplier & Distributor of Strong, Corrosion & Heat-Resistant Grades
Whether you need material for a new product application or you want to replace your existing supply, let our talented staff at Sabre Alloys be your partners for sourcing exotic, high-quality stainless steel. Request a quote today.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the difference between 304, 304L, and 304H?
The main difference is carbon content:
- 304L (Low carbon): ≤0.03% carbon – best for welding applications to prevent carbide precipitation
- 304 (Standard): ≤0.08% carbon – general-purpose use
- 304H (High carbon): 0.04-0.10% carbon – superior high-temperature strength above 800°F (427°C)
All three have the same chromium and nickel content and similar corrosion resistance at room temperature.
Is 304 stainless steel magnetic?
Annealed 304 is essentially non-magnetic, but it can become slightly magnetic after cold working (bending, forming, machining). This magnetism doesn’t indicate poor quality. It’s a normal result of the austenite transforming to martensite during deformation. The corrosion resistance remains unchanged.
What certifications does your 304/304H plate have?
Our materials adhere to the highest industry standards to ensure quality and reliability. Our certifications include:
- AS9100: A quality management standard for the aerospace industry.
- ISO 9001:2015: An international standard for quality management systems.
- DFARS Compliant: A majority of our materials meet the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement requirements.
Additionally, all our stainless steel plates conform to ASTM A240 standards.
Similar Steel Plate Products
Sabre Alloys aims to be your solution center for exotic, high-quality stainless steel plate. We offer hard-to-find metal grades and we cater to a wide range of industries.