Stainless Steel 304 Fittings are stainless with the regular “18/8.” Although a wide range of options are available, they are the most reliable and commonly produced stainless steel fittings available; and they have outstanding shaping and welding characteristics. Stainless Steel 304 Fittings’ balanced austenitic structure allows it to be drawn severely deep, without intermediate annealing. Stainless Steel 304 Fittings can be braked or roll-formed readily into a variety of components for industrial, architectural, and transportation applications. They also have excellent welding functionality. The austenitic construction also gives excellent durability to these fittings, right down to the cryogenic temperatures.
Stainless Steel 304 fittings are widely used for plumbing drinking water in residential / commercial wells and plumbing systems. These are also a great choice for many other commercial / industrial water applications which require high corrosion resistance. These are not allowed for use in extremely sulfuric, hydrochloric, formic and tartaric environments.
Corrosion Resistance of Stainless Steel 304 Fittings
In a wide range of ambient conditions, and many corrosive devices, stainless steel grade 304 Fittings are outstanding. In warm chloride settings, they are susceptible to pitting and splitting corrosion and stresses corrosion cracking above 60 ° C. Stainless Steel 304 Fittings are deemed immune to potable water at ambient temperatures up to approximately 200 mg / L of chloride, down to roughly 150 mg / L at 60 ° C.
Heat Resistance of SS 304 Fittings
Stainless Steel 304 Fittings have strong oxidation tolerance up to 870 ° C in sporadic operation, and 925 ° C in continuous service. If subsequent aqueous corrosion resistance is necessary, continuous use of 304 fittings within the 425-860 ° C range is not suggested. SS 304L fittings are more carbide accumulation prone and can be heated up within this temperature range. SS 304H Fittings provide greater strength at elevated temperatures, so they are often used at temperatures above 500 ° C to around 800 ° C (approximate) for structural and pressure-containing applications. The temperature range of 304H fittings will be 425-860 ° C. While this is not a problem in high-temperature systems, it will result in reduced tolerance to aqueous corrosion.
Welding of SS 304 Fittings
SS 304 fittings have outstanding weldability with and without filler metals through all normal fusion processes. AS 1554.6 pre-qualifies 304 fittings welding with Grade 308 and 304L with 308L rods or electrodes (and their small counterparts in silicon). To optimum corrosion resistance, heavily welded parts at Grade 304 Fittings can involve post-welded annealing.
Applications of SS 304 Fittings
The Stainless Steel 304 Fittings are used for various applications across numerous industries. Their excellent resisting characteristics and low cost and low maintenance makes these Fittings one of the most reliable Stainless Steel Fittings. Some applications of the Stainless Steel 304 Fittings are mentioned below
- Chemical containers
- Heat Exchangers
- Kitchen Benches, Sinks and Troughs
- Kitchen Equipment and Appliances
- Threaded fasteners
- Heat Exchangers
- Processing Equipment and Screws
- Machinery Parts, and Car Headers
