Common grades of 304 stainless steel can be divided into three categories: basic national standard grades, common variant grades, and special-purpose derivative grades, to suit different industrial needs:
I. Basic General-Purpose Grades
S30400 (Old National Standard Grade 0Cr18Ni9)
Positioning: The most classic general-purpose 304 stainless steel
Characteristics: Carbon content ≤0.08%, balanced corrosion resistance and processing performance
Applicable Scenarios: Ordinary household appliances, decorative building materials, general food processing equipment
S30408 (National Standard...) New grade 06Cr19Ni10
Positioning: Mainstream standard model in domestic industrial fields
Characteristics: More precise chromium and nickel content, better oxidation resistance above 650℃
Applicable scenarios: Building structures, general chemical pipelines
S30401
Positioning: High purity 304 model
Characteristics: Carbon content ≤0.07%, stronger resistance to chloride ion corrosion
Applicable scenarios: Equipment in coastal areas, high-precision food processing equipment
II. Conventional variant models
304L
Positioning: Low carbon version 3 04
Features: Carbon content ≤0.03%, no risk of intergranular corrosion after welding
Applicable Scenarios: Industrial equipment requiring extensive welding
304H
Positioning: High-carbon version of 304
Features: Significantly improved high-temperature strength
Applicable Scenarios: Boilers, high-temperature heating furnaces, and other high-temperature operating conditions
304N
Positioning: Nitrogen-enhanced 304
Features: Added nitrogen element, overall strength and corrosion resistance are simultaneously improved
Applicable Scenarios: High-strength structural components, pressure-bearing equipment
III. Special Purpose Derivative Models
3 04LN
Positioning: Low-carbon, nitrogen-containing 304
Characteristics: Balances low-carbon welding performance with nitrogen strengthening effect
Applicable Scenarios: Thick-walled pressure-bearing welding equipment
304Cu
Positioning: Copper-containing, easily formable 304
Characteristics: Added copper significantly optimizes cold stamping performance
Applicable Scenarios: Complex stretch-formed hardware products
304NG
Positioning: Nuclear power grade 304
Characteristics: Extremely strict composition control, excellent radiation resistance
Applicable Scenarios: Core loop equipment in nuclear power plants
