304/304L Stainless Steel Plates

Good Corrosion Resistance: Excellent resistance to oxidation and corrosion in fresh water, mild chemical media, atmospheric conditions, and food products. The 304L grade provides additional protection against intergranular corrosion after welding.

Excellent Formability: 304/304L stainless steel offers superior forming characteristics, making it ideal for bending, rolling, dishing, and pressing operations.

Cost-Effective Solution: Lower alloy content (no molybdenum) compared to 316/316L makes 304/304L a more economical choice for applications where chloride-induced pitting is not a concern.

Superior Weldability: 304L grade ensures low carbon content for superior weld performance, with reduced risk of intergranular corrosion in welded fabrications. Suitable for TIG, MIG, laser, and submerged arc welding.

High Mechanical Strength: Good tensile and yield strength with excellent ductility for pressure vessel applications and structural fabrications.

Smooth Surface Quality: Available in hot-rolled annealed and pickled (No.1 finish), cold-rolled 2B finish, and polished finishes (No.4, No.8 mirror, brushed/hairline).

Wide Temperature Range: Suitable for cryogenic applications down to -196°C and continuous service up to 800°C (1472°F).

International Certifications: Plates can be certified by ABS, BV, DNV, LR, GL, RINA, CCS, KR, and NK, and comply with ASME, PED, and NORSOK standards.

The lower carbon content in 304L minimizes carbide precipitation during welding, providing enhanced resistance to intergranular corrosion compared to standard 304, especially in welded fabrications and service in the sensitization temperature range (425–870°C).

High-Temperature Tensile Properties (Typical Values):

Heat Treatment Condition:
Both 304 and 304L stainless steel plates are normally supplied in the annealed and pickled condition. Solution annealing at 1010–1080°C followed by rapid cooling (water quenching) restores full corrosion resistance, relieves internal stresses from rolling, and ensures optimal ductility.

Pressure Vessel Certification (ASME SA240):

l   304/304L plates can be supplied with ASME SA240 certification for pressure vessel applications.

l   Each plate is stamped with heat number and ASME emblem upon request.

Thickness Tolerances (Hot-Rolled – ASTM A480):

Thickness Tolerances (Cold-Rolled – ASTM A480):

Width and Length Tolerances (Hot-Rolled – ASTM A480):

Raw Material Selection: High-quality 304/304L stainless steel slabs from certified mills (Baosteel, TISCO, POSCO, Outokumpu, Jindal) with certified chemical composition and traceability.

Reheating: Slabs heated to 1200–1250°C in reheating furnaces for hot rolling.

Hot Rolling: Heated slabs passed through roughing and finishing stands to reduce thickness to required dimensions (5-100mm).

Laminar Cooling: Controlled water cooling to achieve desired microstructure and mechanical properties.

Plate Cooling and Straightening: Hot plates cooled on cooling beds then roller straightened.

Solution Annealing: Plates undergo solution annealing at 1010–1080°C to restore corrosion resistance.

Pickling: Removal of oxide scale using mixed acid (HNO₃ + HF) for No.1 finish.

Cold Rolling (Optional): For thicknesses below 5mm, hot-rolled plates further reduced through cold rolling passes.

Bright Annealing (Optional): Cold-rolled plates annealed in hydrogen atmosphere for BA finish.

Cut-to-Size: Plates cut to customer specified dimensions using plasma, laser, or shear cutting.

Surface Finishing (Optional): Polished, brushed, or mirror finish applied upon request.

Inspection & Testing: Dimensional check, PMI, mechanical testing, surface inspection.

Marking & Packing: Each plate stamped with grade, heat number, dimensions, and standard.

Chemical Analysis: Spectrometer verification or PMI for alloy elements (Cr 18-20%, Ni 8-12%).

Mechanical Testing: Tensile strength, yield strength, elongation, hardness per ASTM A370.

Dimensional Inspection: Thickness, width, length, flatness, squareness.

Surface Inspection: Visual check for surface defects, cracks, laminations, and consistency.

Ultrasonic Testing (UT): Per ASTM A435 for internal flaw detection (upon request).

Intergranular Corrosion Test: ASTM A262 Practice E for 304L (upon request).

Third-Party Inspection: SGS, BV, DNV, TUV, LR, ABS available upon customer request.

Food & Beverage Industry: Dairy processing tanks, brewery fermentation vessels, food storage tanks, pasteurizer shells, CIP system tanks, commercial kitchen equipment.

Pharmaceutical Equipment: Reactor shells, sterile process vessels, WFI storage tanks, bioreactor tanks,

cleanroom paneling.

Architectural & Construction: Building cladding, roofing panels, curtain walls, elevator interiors, escalator trim, handrail brackets.

Chemical Processing (Mild Service): Non-chloride chemical storage tanks, organic acid vessels, solvent tanks, mixing tanks.

Pressure Vessels: ASME code pressure vessel shells, storage tanks, receivers, accumulators.

Water Treatment: Filtration equipment, aeration tanks, chemical feed tanks, water storage vessels.

HVAC Systems: Ductwork, air handler housings, fan housings, chiller components.

Cryogenic Applications: Liquid nitrogen storage tanks, LNG equipment (304 retains toughness at -196°C).

Automotive & Transportation: Tanker truck shells, railcar tanks, container components.

Cryogenic Vessels: Low-temperature storage tanks.

Womic Steel offers precision cutting services for 304/304L stainless steel plates:

Standard Packaging:

Plates wrapped with moisture-proof paper and VCI film

Edge protectors to prevent damage

Wooden pallets or steel skids for plate protection

Clear labeling with grade, heat number, dimensions, weight

Womic Steel's Shipping Strengths:

Direct cooperation with global shipowners – competitive freight rates

Professional loading and securing teams prevent plate bending and damage

Efficient document preparation minimizes customs delays

Rapid delivery time – standard plates maintained in ready stock over 10,000 tons

Continuous cargo tracking and after-sales follow-up

1. What is the difference between 304 and 304L stainless steel plates?
The main difference is carbon content. 304L has lower carbon (≤0.03% vs ≤0.08%), which prevents carbide precipitation during welding and provides better resistance to intergranular corrosion. For welded fabrications, 304L is typically preferred.

2. Can 304L plates be used for pressure vessel applications?
Yes. 304/304L plates are commonly used for ASME Section VIII pressure vessels. We can supply plates with ASME SA240 certification.

3. What is the maximum plate size available?
Maximum thickness: 100mm. Maximum width: 3000mm. Maximum length: 12000mm. Larger sizes available upon request.

4. What surface finish is best for food processing equipment?
2B finish is standard for food processing. For direct food contact surfaces, No.4 (polished) or BA finish with Ra ≤ 0.5μm is recommended.

5. Can 304 plates be used in marine environments?
No. For seawater or high-chloride environments, use 316/316L or duplex stainless steel plates.

6. What is the maximum temperature for continuous service?
800°C (1472°F) for 304 and 304L. For intermittent service, up to 850°C (1562°F).

Cost-Effective: Most economical stainless steel plate option for general service

ASME Certified: SA240 certification available for pressure vessel applications

Complete Size Range: Thickness from 1mm to 100mm – all standard sizes in stock

Full Traceability: Heat number on each plate – traceable to original mill certificate

Cut-to-Size Services: Plasma, laser, waterjet, and shearing for custom dimensions

Surface Finish Options: No.1, 2B, BA, No.4, HL, Mirror – all available

Large Inventory: Over 10,000 tons in stock – ready for immediate dispatch

Global Delivery: Exported to over 50 countries

Tel / WhatsApp:

Victor: +86 15575100681

Jack: +86 18390957568

E-mail: info@womicstainless.com

Website: www.womicsteel.com

Contact Womic Steel today for a competitive quote on 304/304L stainless steel plates. We offer certified quality, cut-to-size services, rapid delivery, and reliable global shipping.

Stock Examples (Hot-Rolled 304L Plates – No.1 Finish – Industrial Grade):

Stock Examples (Cold-Rolled 304L Plates – 2B Finish – Food Grade):

Checker Plate (Diamond Pattern) – 304L Stainless Steel:

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