Winsco Metal's 304 and 304L stainless steel sheets are two common stainless steel materials that are very similar in chemical composition, but have some subtle differences.
304 stainless steel is a general stainless steel material with good corrosion resistance and is widely used in many applications. It consists of 18% chromium and 8% nickel, while containing up to 0.08% carbon. This alloy has good oxidation and corrosion resistance and is suitable for general indoor and outdoor environments.
304L stainless steel is a low-carbon version of 304 stainless steel. It has a similar chemical composition to 304, but the carbon content is limited to a maximum of 0.03%. By reducing the amount of carbon, 304L can be made less susceptible to induction welding and heat-affected zones (such as those created during welding). This makes 304L more advantageous in some special applications, especially when welding is required or used in high temperature environments.
To sum up, the main difference between 304 and 304L stainless steel sheet is the carbon content. 304L has a lower carbon content and therefore performs better during welding and high temperature environments. If there are no special requirements, 304 stainless steel is usually a good choice. If better welding performance is required or used in high temperature environments, consider using 304L stainless steel.
