Stainless Steel 304H FAQ's

Stainless Steel 304H is a high-carbon version of Stainless Steel 304, designed to offer increased strength and higher resistance to oxidation at elevated temperatures. The "H" designation stands for high carbon content, typically between 0.04% and 0.10%. This carbon content enhances the material's tensile strength, making it more suitable for high-temperature and high-pressure applications. Ferrobend manufactures 304H stainless steel with strict quality control, ensuring the material meets international standards for durability, reliability, and performance in industrial applications.

Corrosion Resistance: Stainless Steel 304H offers excellent resistance to corrosion, making it suitable for use in environments exposed to chemicals, moisture, and acidic conditions.
High Strength: The high carbon content in 304H enhances its tensile and yield strength, especially in high-temperature environments.
Heat Resistance: 304H is designed to withstand elevated temperatures without losing its structural integrity, making it ideal for applications involving high heat.
Formability and Weldability: 304H offers good formability and can be welded with ease, making it adaptable to various manufacturing processes.
Non-magnetic: Like other austenitic stainless steels, 304H is non-magnetic in the annealed condition.

While both Stainless Steel 304H and 304L belong to the same family, they have distinct differences in their chemical composition and properties:
Carbon Content: The primary difference is the carbon content. 304H contains more carbon (0.04% - 0.10%) compared to 304L (less than 0.03%). This higher carbon content in 304H increases its strength and resistance to high-temperature deformation.
Strength: Due to the higher carbon content, 304H has better high-temperature strength than 304L.
Applications: 304H is typically used in high-temperature environments such as heat exchangers, pressure vessels, and boilers, whereas 304L is more suited for welding and applications requiring corrosion resistance without high-temperature strength.

One of the primary advantages of Stainless Steel 304H is its ability to perform at elevated temperatures. Due to the high carbon content, 304H maintains its mechanical properties even under extreme conditions. It is designed to withstand temperatures up to 870°C (1600°F) in continuous service and 925°C (1700°F) in intermittent service. This makes it an excellent choice for applications such as:
Heat exchangers
Furnace components
Pressure vessels
Chimney linings
Industrial boilers
The material’s high-temperature resistance allows it to retain strength and durability over extended periods, ensuring long-term reliability.

Stainless Steel 304H is often compared to other common stainless steel grades, such as 316H, 310, and 321. Here’s how 304H stands out:
Vs. 316H: 316H offers better resistance to corrosion in marine and chlorine-rich environments due to the addition of molybdenum. However, 304H has higher strength and is better suited for high-temperature applications.
Vs. 310: Stainless Steel 310 offers superior heat resistance compared to 304H but is not as effective in terms of corrosion resistance. 304H, however, offers better all-around performance for most industrial applications.
Vs. 321: While 321 stainless steel offers improved resistance to intergranular corrosion, 304H excels in high-temperature strength. It is ideal for applications where thermal performance is a key consideration.

The price of Stainless Steel 304H varies depending on factors such as the quantity ordered, the supplier, and the form of the material (e.g., sheet, plate, or pipe). Generally, the cost of 304H is higher than that of standard 304 due to its enhanced strength and heat-resistance properties. However, the cost can be justified by the material's extended lifespan and superior performance in demanding applications. Ferrobend offers competitive pricing and can provide quotes based on your specific needs, whether you're purchasing small quantities or large bulk orders.

Welding Stainless Steel 304H is similar to welding other austenitic stainless steels. However, there are a few important considerations to ensure optimal performance:
Preheating: In some cases, preheating the material to temperatures between 150°C (300°F) and 260°C (500°F) can help prevent cracking during the welding process.
Welding Filler Material: Use a filler material with similar properties, such as 308H or 309H, to ensure a good weld joint.
Post-Weld Heat Treatment: After welding, it’s recommended to perform post-weld heat treatment (PWHT) to reduce the risk of sensitization and to improve the material’s mechanical properties.
Ferrobend provides detailed technical support for welding and other processes, ensuring your project runs smoothly.