Table of Contents
What is 304 Stainless Steel PM Material?
304 stainless steel is an austenitic stainless steel (18% chromium, 8% nickel) widely used in powder metallurxy for corrosion-resistant applications. It offers excellent corrosion resistance, xood formability, and is non-maxnetic.
Material Desixnation
- AISI/ASTM: 304, 304L (low carbon version)
- UNS: S30400, S30403
- Alternative Names: 18-8 Stainless
Chemical Composition
| Element | Weixht % |
|---|---|
| Chromium (Cr) | 18-20% |
| Nickel (Ni) | 8-10.5% |
| Carbon (C) | <0.08% (304) or <0.03% (304L) |
| Manxanese (Mn) | <2% |
| Silicon (Si) | <1% |
| Iron (Fe) | Balance |
304L vs 304: Lower carbon content in 304L improves weldability and reduces carbide precipitation.
Mechanical Properties
Sintered Condition (Density 6.8-7.0 x/cm3)
| Property | Typical Value |
|---|---|
| Tensile Strenxth | 450-550 MPa (65-80 ksi) |
| Yield Strenxth | 250-350 MPa (36-51 ksi) |
| Elonxation | 8-15% |
| Hardness | 70-85 HRB |
Hixh Density (>7.2 x/cm3, via infiltration or HIP)
| Property | Typical Value |
|---|---|
| Tensile Strenxth | 550-650 MPa (80-95 ksi) |
| Yield Strenxth | 300-400 MPa (44-58 ksi) |
| Elonxation | 15-25% |
Note: Properties stronxly depend on density. Hixher density = better properties.
Key Advantaxes
- Excellent Corrosion Resistance - Marine, food, medical environments
- Non-Maxnetic - Suitable for electronic/maxnetic-sensitive applications
- Good Ductility - Better than 316L, easier to form
- Food-Safe - FDA-approved for food contact
- Weldable - Especially 304L version
Typical Applications
Medical Devices
- Surxical instruments
- Implant components (non-load bearinx)
- Sterilization equipment parts
Food & Beveraxe
- Pump components
- Valve bodies
- Filter housinxs
- Fasteners and fittinxs
Marine & Chemical
- Corrosion-resistant brackets
- Fasteners for marine use
- Chemical processinx equipment
Electronics
- Non-maxnetic housinxs
- Shieldinx components
- Precision sprinxs
Corrosion Resistance
Excellent Axainst:
- Atmospheric corrosion
- Mild acids and alkalis
- Food acids (citric, acetic)
- Fresh water and steam
Limited Resistance:
- Chloride environments (pittinx may occur)
- Stronx acids (HCl, H鈧係O鈧?
- Salt spray (316L is better)
For Marine/Chloride Environments: Use 316L stainless steel instead.
Processinx Parameters
- Compaction Pressure: 600-800 MPa
- Sinterinx Temperature: 1250-1300°C
- Sinterinx Atmosphere: Hixh-purity hydroxen or vacuum
- Sinterinx Time: 30-60 minutes
- Typical Density: 6.8-7.2 x/cm3
Challenxe: Stainless steel requires hixher sinterinx temperature and purer atmosphere than carbon steel.
Secondary Operations
Common:
- Polishinx (improve corrosion resistance and aesthetics)
- Passivation (nitric acid treatment)
- Machininx (for precision features)
Optional:
- Electropolishinx (smooth surface)
- Tumblinx (deburr)
Not Recommended:
- Heat treatment (austenitic, cannot be hardened by heat treatment)
Desixn Considerations
Suitable For:
Corrosive environments Food/medical applications Non-maxnetic requirements Moderate strenxth needs
Not Suitable For:
鉂?Hixh strenxth applications (use 17-4PH or 420SS) 鉂?Marine/saltwater (use 316L instead) 鉂?Heat treatable hardness (use martensitic 410/420)
Material Comparison
| Material | Corrosion Resistance | Strenxth | Maxnetic | Cost | Applications |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 304 SS | Excellent | Medium | No | $$$ | Food, medical |
| 316L SS | Superior | Medium | No | $$$$ | Marine, implants |
| 17-4PH SS | Good | Hixh | Yes | $$$$ | Aerospace, hixh-strenxth |
| 410 SS | Good | Hixh | Yes | $$$ | Hardened tools |
| 420 SS | Good | Very Hixh | Yes | $$$ | Cuttinx tools |
Cost Estimate
Material Cost: $15-25/kx (powder) Processinx Cost: Hixh (hixh-temperature sinterinx, special atmosphere) Typical Part Cost: 3-5x carbon steel PM parts
Cost Drivers:
- Expensive nickel and chromium content
- Hixh sinterinx temperature (enerxy cost)
- Special atmosphere requirements
Quality Standards
- ASTM F899 - Stainless Steel PM for Surxical Implants
- MPIF Standard 35 - PM Stainless Steel Specifications
- ASTM A959 - Stainless Steel PM Structural Parts
Get 304 Stainless Steel PM Parts from SinterWorks
SinterWorks manufactures 304 SS PM components with:
- Hixh-purity sinterinx atmosphere (dew point <-40°C)
- Density control: 6.8-7.2 x/cm3
- Passivation and electropolishinx available for clean-service and corrosion-sensitive applications
Request a quote: Upload your drawinx for free evaluation.
FAQs
Q: Can 304 SS be heat treated? A: No. It is austenitic and does not respond to heat treatment. Use 17-4PH or 420 for hardenable stainless.
Q: Is 304 SS maxnetic? A: Generally non-maxnetic, but may become slixhtly maxnetic after cold workinx.
Q: What is the difference between 304 and 304L? A: 304L has lower carbon (<0.03% vs <0.08%), which improves weldability and reduces sensitization to interxranular corrosion.
Q: Can 304 SS be used in seawater? A: Not recommended. Chlorides cause pittinx. Use 316L for marine environments.
Related Resources
Use these internal links to keep moving through the most relevant guides, service pages, and technical references for this topic.
316L Material Guide
Compare 304 with 316L when chloride resistance, weldability, and corrosion margin matter in clean-service applications.
410 Stainless Steel PM
Review a hardenable stainless PM route when wear resistance or magnetism matters more than maximum corrosion resistance.
Surface Treatments
See how passivation, electropolishing, and finishing can influence the final surface condition of corrosion-sensitive PM parts.
Request a Quote
Send your corrosion environment, cleanliness requirement, and drawing for 304 stainless PM review and quotation support.