# Stainless Steel 304

> The world's default stainless: food-safe, weldable, corrosion-resistant for everyday environments.

- Category: Stainless Steels → austenitic
- HTML page: https://fabvector.com/materials/stainless-steel-304 (Portuguese: https://fabvector.com/pt/materials/stainless-steel-304)
- Price index: $$$ (1–5, 6061-T6 = $)

## Mechanical properties (typical values, not certified minimums)

| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Tensile strength | 515 MPa |
| Yield strength | 205 MPa |
| Hardness | ≤201 HB |
| Density | 8.00 g/cm³ |
| Machinability | ★★★☆☆ (3/5) |
| Corrosion resistance | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |

## When to choose it

When a part just needs to be "stainless" with no special chemistry: rust-free in everyday service, hygienic, weldable and never needs coating. The sensible stainless default.

## When to look elsewhere

Specify 316L for chloride exposure (marine, medical), 303 when machinability dominates cost on turned parts, and 17-4 PH when stainless must also be genuinely strong.

## Typical applications

- Food and beverage processing parts
- Kitchen and lab equipment components
- Pump shafts and impellers (fresh water)
- Brackets for humid environments

## Compatible surface finishes

- [As-Machined](https://fabvector.com/md/finishes/as-machined)
- [Passivation](https://fabvector.com/md/finishes/passivation)
- [Electropolishing](https://fabvector.com/md/finishes/electropolishing)
- [Bead Blasting](https://fabvector.com/md/finishes/bead-blasting)
- [Brushed Finish](https://fabvector.com/md/finishes/brushed-finish)
- [Polishing](https://fabvector.com/md/finishes/polishing)
- [Vibratory Tumbling](https://fabvector.com/md/finishes/vibratory-tumbling)
- [Laser Marking](https://fabvector.com/md/finishes/laser-marking)

Industries: medical-devices, industrial-automation, energy, automotive · Instant quote: https://fabvector.com/quote