Stainless Steel 304
Generic / House Brand
☀ UV Stable
✓ Food Safe
⬡ Chemical Resistant
Overview
18-8 austenitic stainless steel — the most widely used stainless grade globally. Chromium-nickel alloy with excellent corrosion resistance, food safety certification, and good weldability. Work-hardens aggressively — requires sharp carbide tooling and correct parameters.
Properties
Difficulty
advanced
Flexibility
rigid
Layer Adhesion
excellent
Enclosure
no
Heated Bed
no
Dry Storage
no
Pros
- Excellent corrosion resistance in most environments
- FDA food-safe
- Non-magnetic (austenitic phase)
- Good weldability — TIG preferred
- Passivates after machining for maximum corrosion resistance
- Available in huge variety of stock forms
- Aesthetic bright finish
Cons
- Work-hardens rapidly — dull tools cause glazing and tool breakage
- Galling risk on sliding surfaces without lubrication
- More expensive than mild steel
- Cannot be through-hardened
- Low thermal conductivity causes heat buildup at cut
- Requires carbide tooling
Best For
- Food processing equipment|Kitchen countertops and fixtures|Marine hardware above the waterline|Medical device housings|Pharmaceutical equipment|Chemical containers|Outdoor architecture
Avoid For
- High-wear sliding without lubrication|Chloride-heavy marine environments (use 316)|Applications requiring magnetism|Cost-critical projects where mild steel suffices
Storage
Store dry. Passivate machined surfaces with citric acid or nitric acid solution for maximum corrosion resistance. Keep away from carbon steel contamination (steel wool, carbon steel chips) which causes rust staining.
Brands
Online MetalsMcMaster-CarrMetals DepotPenn Stainless