Stainless Steel 304H · heat-treated state · default condition
Stainless Steel 304H Solution Annealed
Properties of the Solution Annealed condition, compared with the other 304H tempers.
Standard supply condition for plate, tube and forgings used in ASME high-temperature service; maximum ductility and carbide dissolution.
What is 304H Solution Annealed?
304H Solution Annealed is 304H heat treated to Solution Annealed — standard supply condition for plate, tube and forgings used in ASME high-temperature service; maximum ductility and carbide dissolution. 304H Solution Annealed has a yield strength of 260 MPa (37.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 585 MPa (84.8 ksi) — weaker than 84% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 55% and the elastic modulus is 193 GPa (28 Msi). 304H Solution Annealed has a density of 7.9 g/cm³ (0.285 lb/in³), heavier than 67% of stainless steel grades. It melts at 1,400°C (2,552 °F).
Advantages
- Forms and bends easily — 90/100, better than 98% of stainless steel grades
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 55%, better than 97% of stainless steel grades
- Tough — resists crack growth — 220 MPa·√m (200.2 ksi·√in), better than 97% of stainless steel grades
- Polishes to a fine finish — 80/100, better than 89% of stainless steel grades
- Readily welded — 85/100, better than 86% of stainless steel grades
Limitations
- Low strength — 260 MPa (37.7 ksi), worse than 84% of stainless steel grades
304H Solution Annealed properties
Typical room-temperature values for 304H Solution Annealed — 13 properties are specific to this condition; the rest are grade-level values shared by every 304H temper. Each bar shows where the value sits among the stainless steel grades in FabDigit's library — further right is higher.
Physical3
304H Solution Annealed has a density of 7.9 g/cm³ (0.285 lb/in³), heavier than 67% of stainless steel grades. It melts at 1,400°C (2,552 °F).
Mechanical16
304H Solution Annealed has a yield strength of 260 MPa (37.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 585 MPa (84.8 ksi) — weaker than 84% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 55% and the elastic modulus is 193 GPa (28 Msi).
Thermal6
304H Solution Annealed is rated for continuous service to 815°C (1,499 °F). It conducts heat at 16.2 W/m·K (9.36 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 64% of stainless steel grades. Thermal expansion is 17.3 µm/m·K (9.61 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
304H Solution Annealed conducts electricity at 2.4 % IACS, better than 67% of stainless steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is good (62/100), worse than 53% of stainless steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 304H Solution Annealed takes about 53 MJ of energy and emits 4.5 kg of CO₂ — less than 67% of stainless steel grades. Typical recycled content is 65%.
Manufacturability8
304H Solution Annealed's machinability is fair (40/100, better than 73% of stainless steel grades); weldability excellent (85/100); formability excellent (90/100).
Common Calculations5
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Other 304H tempers and conditions
304H is also supplied in 5 other conditions. The full side-by-side table is on the 304H overview.
- Solution AnnealedDefaultStandard supply condition for plate, tube and forgings used in ASME high-temperature service; maximum ductility and carbide dissolution.260 MPa yield · 150 HB
- Cold DrawnChoose for straight, close-tolerance bar or tube where higher yield strength and better surface finish are needed below the sensitization range.450 MPa yield · 210 HB
- AnnealedGeneral mill-annealed condition for sheet, strip and bar where the ASME coarse-grain solution treatment is not separately certified.265 MPa yield · 155 HB
Working with 304H Solution Annealed
Is 304H easy to machine?
Gummy and work-hardening like 304 — use rigid setups, positive-rake sharp carbide, heavy constant feed and flood coolant; ~45 % of AISI 1212.
Can 304H be welded?
Readily welded by GTAW/GMAW/SMAW with 308H filler to match creep strength; no preheat, keep interpass low, and remember the high carbon means sensitization risk if slow-cooled through 425–870 °C.
Can 304H be formed, bent or molded?
Excellent cold formability (deep drawing, roll forming, bending), but high work-hardening rate demands more power and generous bend radii; hot work at 1150–1200 °C then solution anneal.
What surface finishes work on 304H?
Not anodizable; passivate per ASTM A967, or pickle/electropolish welds — mechanical polishing to No.4/No.8 is straightforward.
304H chemical composition (wt %)
Limits by weight percent from the governing specification, written the way the spec states them — a single maximum for impurities, a range for alloying elements, and the base element as balance. Nominal is the typical mid-range value.
| Element | Spec limit (wt %) | Nominal |
|---|---|---|
| Craised carbon is the defining feature of the H grade | 0.04 – 0.1 | 0.06 |
| Mn | ≤ 2 | 1.5 |
| Si | ≤ 0.75 | 0.5 |
| P | ≤ 0.05 | 0.03 |
| S | ≤ 0.03 | 0.01 |
| Cr | 18 – 20 | 18.5 |
| Ni | 8 – 10.5 | 9 |
| N | ≤ 0.1 | 0.05 |
| Fe | balance | — |
304H Solution Annealed — frequently asked
What is 304H Solution Annealed used for?
304H Solution Annealed is typically used for pressure vessels, welded boiler tubes, superheater and reheater components, high-temperature process piping and flanges, heat exchanger shells and furnace hardware and supports. In short: high-temp 304 plate.
What is the yield strength of 304H Solution Annealed?
304H Solution Annealed has a typical yield strength of 260 MPa (37.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 585 MPa (84.8 ksi) — weaker than 84% of stainless steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 6 listed tempers.
Is 304H Solution Annealed easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated fair (40/100, better than 73% of stainless steel grades). Gummy and work-hardening like 304 — use rigid setups, positive-rake sharp carbide, heavy constant feed and flood coolant; ~45 % of AISI 1212.
Can 304H Solution Annealed be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated excellent (85/100). Readily welded by GTAW/GMAW/SMAW with 308H filler to match creep strength; no preheat, keep interpass low, and remember the high carbon means sensitization risk if slow-cooled through 425–870 °C.
What surface finishes work on 304H Solution Annealed?
Not anodizable; passivate per ASTM A967, or pickle/electropolish welds — mechanical polishing to No.4/No.8 is straightforward.
Can 304H Solution Annealed be formed, bent or molded?
Excellent cold formability (deep drawing, roll forming, bending), but high work-hardening rate demands more power and generous bend radii; hot work at 1150–1200 °C then solution anneal.
What is the maximum service temperature of 304H Solution Annealed?
304H Solution Annealed is rated for continuous use to about 815°C (1,499 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between 304H Solution Annealed and 304H HRAP?
Solution Annealed is the default condition — standard supply condition for plate, tube and forgings used in ASME high-temperature service; maximum ductility and carbide dissolution. HRAP: standard heavy plate condition (>4 mm) for pressure vessels and furnace parts; matte pickled 1D surface. Yield strength is 260 MPa in Solution Annealed versus 255 MPa in HRAP.
Can FabDigit make parts in 304H Solution Annealed?
Yes — 304H Solution Annealed is available for CNC machining and sheet metal with instant online pricing. Upload a STEP file to get a price and a DFM check.
Sources
- ASTM A240/A240M — Chromium and Chromium-Nickel Stainless Steel Plate, Sheet, and Strip — ASTM International (2023)
- ASTM A213/A213M — Seamless Ferritic and Austenitic Alloy-Steel Boiler, Superheater and Heat-Exchanger Tubes — ASTM International (2022)
- ASTM A182/A182M — Forged or Rolled Alloy and Stainless Steel Pipe Flanges and Fittings — ASTM International (2022)
- ASME BPVC Section II Part D — Materials, Properties — ASME (2023)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels, and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- Outokumpu Corrosion Handbook / Stainless Steel Datasheets — Outokumpu (2021)
- EN 10028-7 (1.4948 X6CrNi18-10) — CEN (2016)
Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.