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Stainless Steel 304 is the world's most common stainless grade, an austenitic 18/8 chromium-nickel alloy that balances corrosion resistance, strength and cost. It is essentially non-magnetic in the annealed state and copes well with both high and sub-zero temperatures, which makes it a dependable default.
304 welds easily with or without filler and forms well, so it suits enclosures, brackets, manifolds and hygienic parts for the food, drink and medical sectors. It does work harden as it is cut, so sharp tooling, steady feeds and plenty of coolant are key to accurate, clean CNC machined features.
We CNC mill and turn 304 from bar and plate for prototypes and production runs alike, with parts supplied in a clean as-machined finish. For salty or chloride-rich environments, consider 316 instead. Get an instant quote for 304 stainless steel CNC parts, delivered to any address across the UK.
Material
Stainless Steel 304
Description
Strengths
Lead time 10 business days. The most widely used stainless steel: good corrosion and heat resistance, readily welded and formed, and essentially non-magnetic.
Weaknesses
Work hardens when cut; less chloride-resistant than 316
Silver
Ultimate tensile strength
515 MPa
Yield strength
205 MPa
Modulus of elasticity
193 GPa
Elongation at break
40–60%
Density
7.93 g/cm³
Hardness
215 HB max
Corrosion resistance
High
Magnetism
Essentially non-magnetic
UK equivalent
1.4301 / 304S31 (EN58E)
Maximum service temperature
925°C
Thermal expansion coefficient
17.2 × 10⁻⁶ /K
Thermal conductivity
16.2 W/(m·K)
Electrical resistivity
70 μΩ·cm
Weldability
Excellent
Machinability
Good
Food & drink processing equipment
Architectural trim & railings
Heat exchangers
Threaded fasteners & springs
Values shown are typical supplier figures for Stainless Steel 304 and may vary with stock condition. Please confirm critical properties before production.
304 (1.4301, EN58E) machines well but work hardens as it is cut, so it is slower than mild steel or 303. It is the most widely used stainless steel for machined parts.
304 is suitable for precise parts; very thin walls may need extra care because of work hardening. Achievable tolerances depend on part size, geometry and features, so mark any critical tolerances on a 2D drawing with your upload and they will be reviewed and confirmed in your quote.
304 is often left as machined or bead blasted, and passivation can be specified to improve corrosion resistance. It welds and forms readily.
Typical uses include food and drink processing equipment, architectural trim and railings, heat exchangers, and threaded fasteners and springs.
304 is the general-purpose grade with good corrosion resistance. 316 adds molybdenum for better resistance to chlorides, so choose it for marine, coastal and chemical environments. Choose 303 for easier machining.
The typical lead time shown for 304 stainless steel is 10 business days from an approved order. Quantity, finishing and any heat treatment can affect this, and your quote confirms the date before you order.
Parts in as fast as 10 business days
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