SS 304 Stainless Steel: Composition, Properties & Sheet Supply (Jindal Stainless)
SS 304, sometimes written as 304 SS, Type 304, or AISI 304, is an austenitic 18/8 stainless steel. It's a chromium-nickel grade: UNS S30400, EN 1.4301, IS 6911 grade 304. Chromium sits at 18–20%, nickel at 8–10.5%, and this combination makes it the most widely used stainless grade on earth. It resists corrosion, forms well, welds well, and is safe for food contact. Relinox supplies genuine Jindal stainless steel 304 sheet, plate, coil, patta and circle, each with mill test certificates (MTC), shipped pan-India from our base at Ajmeri Gate, one of Delhi's main stainless steel markets. The composition and property figures given below follow ASTM A240, IS 6911, and published data from Jindal Stainless (JSL).
Relinox Technical Team · values per ASTM A240, IS 6911 and Jindal Stainless published data.
Disambiguation: our 304 comes through an MoU partnership with Jindal Stainless Limited (JSL), and we deal only in stainless flat products. We're not connected to Jindal SAW, JSPL or JSW, which make carbon steel and pipes. Nor are we linked to SAIL Salem.
Price anchor: SS 304 CR 2B sheet trades in an indicative Delhi band of ₹185–250/kg by thickness, dated tables on the SS 304 price page. Indicative Delhi market ranges, reviewed October 2026, rates move daily with nickel; confirm today's exact rate on RFQ.
What is SS 304 stainless steel?
SS 304: what it actually is. It's the base grade of the austenitic 300-series, an iron alloy carrying roughly 18% chromium and 8% nickel. That ratio is where the trade name 18/8 comes from. Chromium builds a self-repairing passive oxide film, and that's what gives the steel its corrosion resistance. Nickel plays a different role: it stabilises the austenitic, non-magnetic structure and adds toughness.
So what's 304 stainless steel actually used for? In practice, grade 304 stainless steel is the default choice for kitchen equipment, utensils, dairy and food plant, architecture, and general fabrication.
304 is the workhorse of the austenitic family, the grade most people reach for by default. For welded corrosion service, buyers switch to lower-carbon 304L. Need strength at high temperature? Higher-carbon 304H does that job. And when chlorides enter the picture, molybdenum-bearing 316 takes over. In the Hindi market, the same material goes by other names too: 304 patta or patti (meaning strip), 304 wali sheet, and traders often just ask for the 304 ka rate. It's all the same grade, just different words for it.
Designation cross-reference
| System | Designation |
|---|---|
| AISI / Type | Type 304 / AISI 304 |
| UNS | S30400 |
| EN (Europe) | 1.4301 |
| IS (India) | IS 6911 grade 304 (X04Cr19Ni9-type) |
| Common name | 18/8 stainless steel |
SS 304 chemical composition
The SS 304 chemical composition below is per ASTM A240 (Type 304 / UNS S30400) and matches IS 6911 grade 304. This is the 304 stainless steel composition percentage buyers reference for Cr Ni content and MTC verification.
| Element | Min % | Max % |
|---|---|---|
| Carbon (C) | — | 0.08 |
| Manganese (Mn) | — | 2.00 |
| Silicon (Si) | — | 0.75 |
| Phosphorus (P) | — | 0.045 |
| Sulphur (S) | — | 0.030 |
| Chromium (Cr) | 18.0 | 20.0 |
| Nickel (Ni) | 8.0 | 10.5 |
| Nitrogen (N) | — | 0.10 |
| Iron (Fe) | Balance | Balance |
SS 304 physical & mechanical properties
Jindal Stainless / standard austenitic 304 published data supply the physical constants for the SS 304 properties below; these are annealed (softened) reference values. Mechanical minima come from ASTM A240, per Jindal specs.
Physical properties
| Property | Value | Unit |
|---|---|---|
| SS 304 density | 8.0 (≈7,930–8,000) | g/cm³ (kg/m³) |
| SS 304 melting point (range) | 1,400–1,450 | °C |
| Modulus of elasticity | 193–200 | GPa |
| Specific heat (0–100 °C) | ~500 | J/kg·K |
| Thermal conductivity (100 °C) | ~16.2 | W/m·K |
| Electrical resistivity | ~0.72 | µΩ·m |
Under 304 stainless steel, density comes in around 8.0 g/cm3, or roughly 8,000 kg/m3. The melting point sits somewhere between 1,400 and 1,450 °C.
Mechanical properties (annealed)
| Property | Minimum | Unit |
|---|---|---|
| Tensile strength | 515 | MPa |
| SS 304 yield strength (0.2% proof) | 205 | MPa |
| Elongation | 40 | % |
| SS 304 hardness | ≤201 HB / ≤92 HRB | — |
For reference, the 304 stainless steel yield and tensile strength in MPa are ≥205 and ≥515 MPa when annealed, and 304 hardness tops out at 201 HB, or 92 HRB, in the annealed condition.
To convert these into weight per sheet, use our SS sheet weight chart or run the numbers through the stainless steel weight calculator.
Corrosion resistance & magnetic behaviour
SS 304 corrosion resistance holds up well in atmospheric, fresh-water, food and most mild-chemical service. Does 304 rust? Under normal exposure, no. The passive chromium film handles general corrosion just fine. Where it runs into trouble is warm chlorides: seawater, pool water, heavy salt exposure. Pitting can start there, and that's when 316 becomes the right call. See SS 304 vs 316 for chlorides.
Is SS 304 magnetic? In the annealed condition, it's essentially non-magnetic. That question usually comes up when people wonder whether a 304 stainless steel magnetic response can prove the grade. Here's the catch, though: heavy cold work, deep drawing or hard bending, can induce slight magnetism. So is SS 304 magnetic isn't, by itself, a reliable purity test. An MTC is. To check genuine / original jindal 304 kaise pehchane, see how to identify real SS 304.
304 vs related grades (quick guide)
| Grade | Key difference | Choose when | More |
|---|---|---|---|
| 304L | Lower carbon (≤0.03%) | Welded parts needing best weld corrosion resistance | SS 304L |
| 304H | Higher carbon (0.04–0.10%) | Elevated-temperature strength | SS 304H |
| 316 | Adds ~2% molybdenum | Chloride, marine or harsher chemical service | 304 vs 316 |
| 302 | Slightly higher carbon, similar 18/8 | Spring/formed parts; 304 is the modern default | (answered below) |
| 430 | Ferritic, no nickel | Cost-driven, dry indoor use | 304 vs 430 |
| 202 / 201 | 200-series, lower nickel | Budget decorative work | 202 vs 304 · 201 vs 304 |
People often ask about the difference between 304 and 304L, and it comes down to carbon. 304L caps carbon at 0.03% or below, which keeps welds from sensitizing. Compare 304 to 316, or ask about SS 304 vs 316 stainless, and the story shifts: 316 brings molybdenum into the mix for better resistance to chlorides. Then there's 302 versus 304: 302 runs a bit higher on carbon within a similar 18/8 chemistry, though most general-purpose work today leans on the lower-carbon 304 instead. Looking for a 304 stainless steel equivalent grade? Quote UNS S30400, EN 1.4301, or IS 6911 grade 304.
Forms, finishes, sizes & thickness of Jindal 304
Relinox stocks and cuts Jindal 304 across the standard Indian flat-product range. The SS 304 sheet thickness on offer runs from thin gauge right through to plate, available in standard 8x4, 4x10 and 5x10 ft sizes.
| Form | Finishes | Standard sizes | Thickness (mm + gauge) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sheet (CR) | 2B, BA, No.4 (satin/hairline), mirror No.8 | 1250×2500 (4×8 / 8x4), 1250×3050 (4×10) mm | ~0.3–6 mm (26G–~7G) |
| Plate (HR) | No.1 | 1500×3000 (5×10) mm | ~4–12 mm+ |
| Coil | 2B, BA, No.4 | Slit to width | ~0.3–4 mm |
| Patta / Patti (strip) | 2B, BA, No.4 | Slit widths | ~0.3–4 mm |
| Circle | 2B, No.4, mirror | Ø as required | ~0.4–4 mm |
| Chequered | Embossed pattern | 1250×2500 mm etc. | ~1.5–6 mm |
SS finishes: ask for SS 304 2B finish, BA finish, No.4 satin/hairline, or mirror (No.8). For the full picture, see SS finishes explained.
Sizes: SS 304 sheet 8x4 does most of the heavy lifting here. We also cut 4x8, 4x10 and 5x10 size sheets, and we'll shear custom 304 sheet 8x4 runs to your list.
Thickness and gauge: the popular choices are 304 stainless steel sheet 1mm / 2mm, though other gauge thicknesses are available too. Check the sheet sizes & thickness chart for the full range.
Product pages cover every form you'd need: 304 stainless steel sheet, SS 304 plate, SS 304 coil (304 patta patti / 304 strip), and SS 304 circle for utensils.
- HR vs CR difference: see HR vs CR stainless sheet.
Typical applications of SS 304
SS 304 covers a huge share of the stainless market. Common applications include:
- Kitchen equipment & utensils, worktops, sinks, cookware bodies → kitchen equipment, utensils & kitchenware.
- Dairy & food processing, tanks, contact surfaces (304 shows up everywhere as a food-grade stainless) → dairy & food processing.
- Architecture, railings & interiors, balustrades, cladding, trims → railings & architecture, wall cladding & interiors.
- Elevators & lifts, cabin panels and doors → elevators & lifts.
- Bus body & transport, panels and structural trim → bus body & transport.
Buy genuine Jindal SS 304 (supplier / dealer / stockist)
Relinox works as a jindal ss 304 sheet dealer, distributor, stockist, trader and wholesaler, and it's one authorized MoU-partner channel for genuine JSL-melted 304, not re-rolled bazaar stock. Need a jindal 304 sheet stockist near me, or looking for a jindal ss 304 sheet supplier? Whether you want wholesale 304 sheet in bulk or a smaller order, we quote from the full Jindal range.
Why Relinox for 304:
- Jindal Stainless MoU partner, this is an authorized channel, so what you get is genuine Jindal SS 304 / Jindal 304 sheet material. See Jindal MoU partnership.
- MTC with material, every dispatch comes backed by mill test certificates. Need a 304 sheet with MTC or a straight test certificate? It's available. See quality & mill test certificates.
- Full grade range + processing, sheet, plate, coil, patta, circle; cutting/shearing to size.
- Delhi base + pan-India dispatch, an ss 304 sheet supplier in Delhi shipping anywhere in India.
As your SS 304 sheet dealer in Delhi, we work with fabricators, OEMs, utensil makers and resellers. Check out the Delhi stainless steel sheet dealer page. Or just send your requirement through the RFQ form and tell us the sizes, finishes and MTC you need.
SS 304 price (indicative)
We don't quote numbers on this page. Instead, we publish a dated, indicative 304 rate list. For the current ss 304 sheet price, 304 ss sheet rate, ss 304 sheet price per kg, and the full price list (the 304 ka rate today in ₹/kg), visit our SS 304 sheet price page and the price by thickness list. Same for thicker material and the 304 ss plate price. Rates move with the market, so the 304 ka rate gets confirmed on RFQ.
| Thickness band | Common 304 forms | Where to see the rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0.5–1.0 mm | 304 sheet, patta / patti | dated 304 price list |
| 1.2–2.0 mm | 304 sheet (1mm, 2mm) | dated 304 price list |
| 3–12 mm+ | 304 plate | dated plate price list |
Request a quote with your grade, size, finish and quantity via the RFQ form, today's rate and MTC confirmed on reply.
Frequently asked questions
What is SS 304 stainless steel?
SS 304 is an austenitic 18/8 chromium-nickel stainless steel, designated UNS S30400, EN 1.4301, and IS 6911 grade 304. Chromium content runs roughly 18–20%, nickel 8–10.5%. Among general-purpose stainless grades, it's the one used most.
What is the chemical composition of 304?
Per ASTM A240: C tops out at 0.08, Mn at 2.00, Si at 0.75, P at 0.045, and S at 0.030. Cr runs 18.0–20.0, Ni 8.0–10.5, N no higher than 0.10, with the balance made up of iron (all figures in wt%).
What is the density of SS 304?
About 8.0 g/cm³ (≈7,930–8,000 kg/m³), per standard published austenitic 304 data.
What is the melting point of 304?
The melting range is approximately 1,400–1,450 °C.
What is the yield strength and tensile strength of 304?
Annealed 304 carries a minimum 0.2% yield strength of 205 MPa. Its minimum tensile strength runs 515 MPa, and elongation must hit at least 40%. These figures come from ASTM A240.
Is SS 304 magnetic?
Annealed 304 is essentially non-magnetic. Heavy cold work can induce slight magnetism, though, so magnetic response alone isn't a reliable grade check. Rely on the MTC instead.
Does 304 rust or is it corrosion resistant?
304 has excellent atmospheric and general corrosion resistance and won't rust under normal use. Steer clear of warm-chloride and marine exposure, though. In those conditions, 316 is the grade to reach for.
Is 304 food grade?
304 is widely used for food-contact, kitchen and dairy equipment. See our food-grade stainless steel guide.
What is the difference between SS 304 and 304L?
304L runs lower carbon, capped at 0.03%, which gives it an edge on corrosion resistance in welded parts. Beyond that, the two grades track each other closely. See SS 304L.
What is the difference between 302 and 304?
302 runs slightly higher on carbon at a similar 18/8 chemistry. 304, with its lower carbon content, has become the modern general-purpose standard. For most sheet work, specifiers call for 304.
Do you supply genuine Jindal 304 with MTC?
Yes. As a Jindal Stainless MoU partner, we supply genuine JSL-melted 304, and a mill test certificate ships with the material. Request a sample MTC via the RFQ form.
What is the price of 304 per kg?
We publish an indicative, dated ₹/kg rate by thickness on the SS 304 sheet price page. The exact rate gets confirmed on RFQ.
Related links
- Grades: Grades hub · SS 304L · SS 304H · SS 316
- Products: SS sheets · SS plates · SS coils · Patta / patti strips · SS circles
- Guides: 304 vs 316 · Identify real SS 304 · Food-grade stainless · SS finishes explained
- Standards: ASTM A240 · IS 6911
- Tools & resources: Weight chart · Weight calculator · Sizes & thickness
- Trust & enquiry: Jindal MoU partnership · Mill test certificates · Delhi dealer · Request a quote
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