what is SUS304 Stainless Steel Sheet?
SUS304 stainless steel sheet is a flat, corrosion-resistant steel conforming to Japanese JIS standards. Like the American AISI/SS304 grade steel, it contains 18% chromium and 8% nickel, offering excellent formability, durability, and versatility. However, due to the absence of molybdenum, its chloride resistance is not as good as SUS316. It is suitable for kitchen equipment, food processing, building facades, handrails, storage tanks, medical devices, and general industrial applications.
what is SUS304L Stainless Steel Sheet?
SUS304L stainless steel sheet is a flat-rolled product made from an ultra-low carbon version of 304 austenitic stainless steel. The "L" indicates a lower carbon content (≤0.03%), preventing intergranular corrosion after welding and eliminating the need for post-weld annealing. It is equivalent to AISI 304L (S30403) and EN 1.4306. It is suitable for welded components in chemical storage tanks, heat exchangers, piping systems, and building structures where extremely high corrosion resistance and post-weld structural integrity are required.
What is the difference between SUS304 and SUS304L ?
The "L" in SUS304L stands for "Low Carbon". While both are Japanese Industrial Standard (JIS) austenitic stainless steels (18% chromium and 8% nickel) with nearly identical corrosion resistance, SUS304L has a maximum carbon content of 0.03%, compared to 0.08% for standard SUS304.
SUS304 VS SUS304L Stainless Steel :Equivalent Grades
| Standard | SUS304 | SUS304L |
| JIS (Japan) | SUS304 | SUS304L |
| ASTM/AISI (USA) | 304 | 304L |
| UNS (Global) | S30400 | S30403 |
| EN/DIN (Europe) | 1.4301 | 1.4306 / 1.4307 |
| GB/T (China) | 06Cr19Ni10 | 022Cr19Ni10 |
SUS304 VS SUS304L Stainless Steel :Chemical Composition
SUS304L has a significantly lower carbon content, and to compensate for its strength, its nickel (Ni) content is usually slightly higher than that of SUS304.
| Element | SUS304 | SUS304L |
| Carbon (C) |
≤ 0.08 |
≤ 0.03 |
| Manganese (Mn) |
≤ 2.00 |
≤ 2.00 |
| Silicon (Si) |
≤ 1.00 |
≤ 1.00 |
| Phosphorus (P) |
≤ 0.045 |
≤ 0.045 |
| Sulfur (S) |
≤ 0.030 |
≤ 0.030 |
| Chromium (Cr) | 18.00 - 20.00 | 18.00 - 20.00 |
| Nickel (Ni) | 8.00 - 10.50 | 9.00 - 13.00 |
SUS304 VS SUS304L Stainless Steel : Mechanical Properties
Due to its lower carbon content, SUS304L typically has slightly lower strength properties (tensile and yield strength) than standard SUS304.
| Property | SUS304 | SUS304L |
| Tensile Strength (MPa) |
≥ 520 |
≥ 485 |
| Yield Strength (0.2% Offset, MPa) |
≥ 205 |
≥ 170 |
| Elongation (%) |
≥ 40 |
≥ 40 |
| Hardness (HBW |
≤ 187 |
≤ 187 |
| Hardness (HRB) |
≤ 90 |
≤ 90 |
SUS304 VS SUS304L Stainless Steel :Physical Properties
| Property | Value |
| Density | 7.93 g/cm³ |
| Melting Point | 1400 - 1450 °C |
| Specific Heat | 500 (0-100°C) J/kg·K |
| Modulus of Elasticity | 193 GPa |
| Thermal Conductivity | 16.2 (at 100°C) W/m·K |
| Electrical Resistivity | 72 μΩ cm |
SUS304 vs. SUS304L Stainless Steel Sheet: Corrosion Resistance
Both SUS304 and SUS304L stainless steel sheets offer excellent corrosion resistance. However, SUS304L has a lower carbon content (≤0.03% compared with ≤0.08% for SUS304), which significantly reduces the risk of chromium carbide precipitation during welding or high-temperature exposure. As a result, SUS304L provides better resistance to intergranular corrosion, especially in welded structures and chloride-containing environments.
SUS304 vs. SUS304L Stainless Steel Sheet: Weldability
Both SUS304 and SUS304L have excellent weldability and can be welded using methods such as TIG, MIG, laser welding, and resistance welding. SUS304 may require post-weld heat treatment in corrosive service conditions to restore its full corrosion resistance, while SUS304L can usually be used directly after welding. For pressure vessels, storage tanks, pipelines, and fabricated equipment, SUS304L is commonly selected to ensure better long-term weld integrity and corrosion resistance.
SUS304 vs. SUS304L Stainless Steel Sheet: Applications
SUS304 stainless steel sheet is widely used in kitchen equipment, architectural decoration, household appliances, automotive trim, and general industrial equipment.
SUS304L stainless steel sheet is more commonly used in applications involving welding or corrosive media, such as chemical storage tanks, pharmaceutical equipment, food processing systems, water treatment facilities, and welded structural components.
SUS304 SUS304L Stainless Steel Sheet Supplier
GNEE boasts export experience in over 70 countries, providing professional shipping, packaging, and documentation services. We maintain a large inventory of standard sizes, enabling delivery within 7-15 days. Most of our materials are dual-certified, combining the strength of 304 stainless steel with the low-carbon properties of 304L. We possess laser cutting, waterjet cutting, plasma cutting, bending, and leveling equipment, and can customize products according to drawings.
SUS304 / SUS304L Specifications
| Product Form | Common Specifications |
| SUS304 / SUS304L Cold Rolled Sheet | Thickness: 0.3mm – 6.0mm; Width: 1000/1219/1500mm |
| SUS304 / SUS304L Hot Rolled Plate | Thickness: 3.0mm – 100mm; Width: 1500/1800/2000mm |
| SUS304 / SUS304L Stainless Steel Coil | Width: 600mm – 2000mm; Weight: 3 – 20 Tons |
| SUS304 / SUS304L Strip / Narrow Band | Width: 10mm – 600mm; Precision tolerances |
| SUS304 / SUS304L Checkered Plate | Teardrop or Diamond pattern (Diamond, One-bar, etc.) |
| SUS304 / SUS304L Perforated Sheet | Round, Square, or Slotted holes (customized) |
Packaging and Transportation
Packaging: Each sheet or roll is wrapped in moisture-proof paper, lined with plastic film, and secured with steel straps. The outer layer is protected by wooden pallets or crates to ensure safety during international transport.
Identification: Each package includes the furnace number, grade, dimensions, and standard information.
