AISI 304: properties, characteristics, composition

2024 Author: Howard Calhoun | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 10:16

This article is a repository of the most important information about such a complex aspect as steel and metallurgy. But unlike the dry technical language, which in most cases is incomprehensible to the average person who does not have a higher education in the field of metallurgy, all the information included in this article is presented in much simpler words so that everyone can plunge into the topic, become interested, and in the future delve into it a little deeper.

Application of AISI 304 steel

Steel is a truly multifunctional material that finds its niche in any enterprise, regardless of its profile, but there are a number of steels that were originally created with the aim of manufacturing a certain kind of items. Let's call it highly specialized. One of these steels is AISI 304. The areas in which it is used are often very important for you and me - ordinary people, because their list includes:

• Foodindustry and its branches. Most steel tooling, including storage and transport containers, is likely to be made from this steel. Also, the main components of some cooking devices are also made of this material.
• AISI 304 steel is especially in demand in the manufacture of pipes of various diameters.
• Consumer kitchen equipment: crockery and cutlery.
• In the chemical industry, this steel grade is particularly used.
• And of course, no steel grade is made without looking at the construction industry, although it is used mainly for individual mechanisms, and not for construction in the general sense of the word.

Alloy composition

In order to better understand why this alloy is so popular in the industries described above, we need to delve a little deeper. We are talking, of course, about the chemical composition of steel, since it is this factor that affects the properties of AISI 304 steel more than others.

According to available information, the composition of alloying elements is as follows.

• Iron - 69%. It is the basis and connecting substance for all other impurities.
• Carbon - 0.8%. Classifies steel as high-carbon and gives it hardness and rigidity, but at the expense of ductility.
• Manganese - 0.2%. It also slightly improves the strength characteristics of steel without reducing the ductility.
• Nickel - 10%. Such great contentelement in the composition has a significant effect on its structure, namely: it increases the resistance to corrosion, increases the hardenability of the alloy and its ductility.
• Sulfur - 0.02%. A harmful impurity that adversely affects the properties of steel. But its content in the composition is so insignificant that its effect is leveled.
• Phosphorus - 0.035%. A similar malicious additive, the impact of which is also insignificant in this case.
• Chrome - 18%. An alloying element that significantly increases the resistance of steel to oxidation and corrosion, and also adds strength to the composition.
• Titanium - 0.5%. Another element introduced to harden AISI 304 steel.
• Copper - 0.3%. Slightly increases the rust resistance of steel.

Steel properties

Summing up all of the above, we can confidently say that this steel grade has exceptional resistance to oxidation and rusting, which allows it to be most in demand for the manufacture of cutlery, household appliances, chemical equipment and much more. After all, such products must have increased resistance to aggressive environments, which distinguishes this steel. Also, the strength characteristics of this alloy allow it to be in demand in construction for the manufacture of lightly loaded parts that will be exposed to aggressive environments. An example of such use of AISI 304 is water pipes, through which sometimes not the cleanest water with impurities is pumped under pressure.alkalis and acids.

Analogues

Of course, such a sought-after steel could not be one for everyone. To date, there is a whole list of analogue steels from different parts of the world. Here are some of the most famous:

• Russia - 03Х18Н11;
• United States of America - S30400;
• Germany - X5CrNi18-10;
• Europe - 1, 4301;
• Japan - SUS304.

Keeping this simple list in mind, anyone can, if necessary, purchase this or that product from a particular steel, saving themselves from the prospect of being deceived or buying something that was not originally needed.

Conclusion

AISI 304 steel is extremely popular today. Mainly because it was created specifically for the manufacture of those products that are used in very important enterprises and in the everyday life of ordinary people. Its importance is very difficult to overestimate, and therefore the steel itself must be of high quality and feel great in those conditions in which any other grade of steel would be incapacitated. However, you have to pay for this, and literally. Prices for AISI 304 generally range from 50 to 100 rubles per kilogram.