304 / 304L Stainless Steel Tubing

304 / 304L Stainless Steel Tubing

304 / 304L Stainless Steel Tubing

304 / 304L Stainless Steel Tubing

Grades 304 and 304L stainless steel are the most versatile and commonly used austenitic chromium-nickel alloys on the market. The chromium content in the alloy promotes excellent corrosion resistance, high strength-to-weight ratio, and remarkable ductility. As the predominant choice for hydraulic and instrumentation tubing, types 304 and 304L stainless steel possess exceptional welding capabilities.

Product Specifications

ASTM A269, ASTM A213 / ASME SA213 (Seamless)
ASTM A269, ASTM A249 / ASME SA249 (Welded)

Domestic tube is bright annealed.
Imported tube is solution annealed and O.D. polished to a 320-grit finish.

Size Range

Outside Diameter (OD)

Wall Thickness

.125”–5.00”

.010 “–.375”

Chemical Requirements

T304/L (UNS S30400/UNS S30403)
Composition %

UNS

C

Carbon

Mn
Manganese

P
Phosphorous

S
Sulfur

Si
Silicon

Cr
Chromium

Ni

Nickel

S30400

0.080 max

2.00 max

0.045  max

0.030 max

1.00 max

18.0–20.0

8.0–11.0

S30403

0.030 max

2.00 max

0.045  max

0.030 max

1.00 max

18.0–20.0

8.0–12.0

Chemical Requirements

T304/L (UNS S30400/UNS S30403)
Composition %

UNS

C

Mn

P

S

Si

Cr

Ni

S30400

0.080 max

2.00 max

0.045 max

0.030 max

1.00 max

18.0–20.0

8.0–11.0

S30403

0.030 max

2.00 max

0.045 max

0.030 max

1.00 max

18.0–20.0

8.0–12.0

Dimensional Tolerances

OD

OD Tolerance

Wall Tolerance

≤ .500”

± .005”

± 10%

.500”–1.500” excl

± .005”

± 10%

1.500”–3.500” excl

± .010”

± 10%

3.500”–5.500” excl

± .015”

± 10%

Mechanical Properties

Yield Strength:

30 ksi min

Tensile Strength:

75 ksi min

Elongation (min 2"):

35%

Hardness (Rockwell B Scale):

90 HRB max

Fabrication

304/L stainless steel has excellent fabrication properties. Its malleability allows it to be easily formed for flaring, bending and coiling. Good machinability and the low sulfur content promotes excellent weldability in applications requiring it.

Industry Applications

Chemical Process
304/L stainless steel tubing offers an affordable solution in chemical processes when high concentrations of chloride aren't present and when in presence of lower concentration of acids.
Fabrication
304/L stainless steel tubing is often chosen in the fabrication industry due to its good forming and welding properties. Its durability and versatility make it the preferred choice for instrumentation and hydraulic applications
Food & Beverage
304/L stainless steel tubing is used for food processing equipment, especially for beer brewing, wine making and milk processing.
Oil & Gas
304/L stainless steel tubing is used in many steps of crude distillation due to its resistance to corrosion and pitting in cooling water environments, and, more specifically, in the presence of naphthenic acid. The alloy can also be found in many general injection, extraction and metering applications in the oil and gas industry.
Power Generation
304/L stainless steel tubing is used in the power generation industry in multiple applications including hydroelectric power station’s sluice, dam gates, natural gas fired instrumentation, chemical injection, and sampling stations. 304/L is a workhorse.
Renewable Energy
Since the beginning, 304/L stainless steel tubing has been present in the renewable energy industry. Its corrosion-resistant properties make it attractive for use in various places of direct thermosyphon systems where warm water and atmospheric pollutants accelerate degradation, such as in thermo-solar systems.