204 Stainless Steel Coil – High-Strength, Low-Nickel, Cost-Smart Alternative to 304
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204 stainless steel coil delivers 350 MPa yield, 30–40% stronger than 304 at lower cost. Deep-draw, mirror polish. Global shipping. Instant quote.
Premium 204 stainless steel coil with bright, uniform 2B cold-rolled finish
Introduction
Searching for a stainless coil that stamps like 304 but costs like 201? 204 stainless steel coil (UNS S20400) is your answer. This nitrogen-strengthened, manganese-rich austenitic strip delivers 30–40 % higher yield strength than 304 while slashing material cost by 20–25 %. From deep-drawn cookware to automotive trim, 204 stainless steel coil keeps high-speed presses running and budgets healthy. Discover why leading 204 stainless steel coil suppliers worldwide are switching to this lean-alloy powerhouse for continuous stamping, laser welding and mirror-polish finishing.
What is 204 Stainless Steel Coil? (UNS S20400)
204 stainless steel coil is a high-nitrogen, low-nickel austenitic grade that maintains a fully austenitic structure for excellent formability and non-magnetic properties. The balanced chromium (17–19 %) and manganese (7.5–10 %) content provides urban corrosion resistance, while 0.20–0.30 % nitrogen boosts yield strength above 350 MPa—far exceeding 304. Compared with 201/201L, grade 204 offers higher chromium and nickel, giving better pitting resistance; against 301, it provides superior corrosion performance and lower price volatility.
Chemical Composition (% by mass, balance Fe)
| Element | 204 | 304 |
|---|---|---|
| C | ≤0.08 | ≤0.08 |
| Si | ≤0.75 | ≤0.75 |
| Mn | 7.5–10.5 | ≤2.0 |
| P | ≤0.06 | ≤0.045 |
| S | ≤0.03 | ≤0.03 |
| Cr | 17.0–19.0 | 18.0–20.0 |
| Ni | 1.5–2.5 | 8.0–10.5 |
| N | 0.20–0.30 | ≤0.10 |
Technical Specifications
- Thickness Range: 0.3 mm – 3.0 mm (standard cold-rolled); 3.0–6.0 mm hot-rolled on request
- Widths: 1000, 1219, 1250, 1500 mm (precision slitting down to 20 mm)
- Coil ID: 508 mm (20 in) or 610 mm (24 in)
- Coil Weight: 5–25 tons per coil (custom weight splitting offered)
- Surface Finishes: 2B, 2D, BA, No.4, HL, 8K mirror, embossed, anti-fingerprint
Mechanical & Physical Properties (ASTM A240)
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Density | 7.9 g/cm³ |
| Tensile Strength | ≥650 MPa |
| Yield Strength (0.2 %) | ≥350 MPa |
| Elongation in 50 mm | ≥40 % |
| Hardness HRB | ≤95 |
| n-value (deep-draw) | ≥0.18 |
| r-value (plastic strain ratio) | ≥0.9 |
204 stainless steel coil available in 2B, BA, Hairline, and mirror 8K finishes
Key Advantages of 204 Stainless Steel Coil
- 30–40 % Higher Yield Strength than 304 → thinner gauges, lighter components, lower freight cost.
- Significantly Lower & More Stable Price – Reduced nickel content shields you from LME volatility; lower 204 stainless steel coil price.
- Outstanding Formability & Deep Drawing – High n-value and r-value reduce breakage in complex cookware draws.
- Good Corrosion Resistance – Handles urban atmospheres, mild acids and cleaning chemicals; passes 500-hour neutral salt-spray.
- Non-Magnetic in Annealed Condition – Ideal for electronics, MRI-compatible fixtures and decorative appliances.
- Continuous Stamping Friendly – Uniform mechanical properties across 25-ton coils keep high-speed presses running smoothly.
Wide Applications
- Cookware & Kitchen Utensils: Deep-drawn 204 coil for deep drawing – pots, steamers, sink bowls with mirror BA finish.
- Household Appliances: Washing-machine drums, dishwasher panels, microwave interiors; bright annealed surface resists detergent attack.
- Automotive Trim & Exhaust: Non-magnetic door frames, trunk lids, tail-pipe resonators; 350 MPa yield allows down-gauging for weight savings.
- Tubes, Pipes & Flexible Hoses: Roll-formed and HF-welded into decorative round/square tubes for furniture and handrails.
- Elevator Cabins & Doors: 8K mirror or hair-line HL finishes create luxury aesthetics without luxury cost.
- Architectural Decoration & Signage: Embossed or anti-fingerprint coils for façade panels, column covers, signage boxes.
High-formability 204 stainless steel coil being deep-drawn into premium cookware
Manufacturing Process & Quality Assurance
- Electric-Arc Furnace + AOD Refining – Exact chemistry, low inclusion content.
- Continuous Casting – 200 mm slabs for uniform grain structure.
- Hot Rolling – Reheat to 1,200 °C, roll to 2–6 mm hot-band.
- Cold Rolling & Bright Annealing – 20-roll Sendzimir mill achieves ±0.01 mm thickness; BA at 1,050 °C in pure H₂ for mirror finish.
- Skin Pass & Tension Leveling – Ensures flatness ≤3 IU and surface roughness ≤0.2 µm on BA coils.
- Slitting & Edge Dressing – Precision slitters with camber ≤1 mm per 2 m; deburred edges for safe handling.
- QC Testing – Spectrometer, tensile, cupping, surface roughness, and intergranular corrosion per ASTM A763 ensure every 204 stainless steel coil meets specification.
Packaging & Global Shipping Standards
- Inner Core: 7 mm thick paperboard protecting coil ID.
- Outer Wrap: 0.1 mm PE film + 0.2 mm VCI paper + galvanized steel guard.
- Radial Protection: 30 mm foam board on coil edges.
- Palletizing: Wooden pallet + steel straps, fumigation-free IPPC stamp.
- Marking: Heat number, size, weight, production date on outer wrap and side tag.
- Shipping: 20 ft or 40 ft container, average 22 tons payload; same-day loading on stock items.
Why Choose Our 204 Stainless Steel Coil?
✅ Direct from Top Mills – TISCO, JISCO, Acerinox equivalents; genuine 204 stainless steel coil suppliers.
✅ Precision Slitting & Oscillation Winding – Narrow slits down to 20 mm, ±0.01 mm thickness tolerance.
✅ Full EN 10204 3.1 Certificates – MTC, SGS, BV, ISO 9001 supplied free of charge.
✅ Large Stock + Same-Day Dispatch – 4,000 t inventory; lock 204 stainless steel coil price for 30 days.
✅ Free Samples & Trial Coils – 5 kg mini-coil couriered within 48 hours for qualification tests.
✅ Global Export & Fast Delivery – 5-day FOB to 120+ ports; DDP available.
Professional export packaging with waterproof paper, steel straps, and wooden pallets
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: What is the difference between 204 and 304 stainless steel coil?
A: 204 uses manganese and nitrogen to replace most nickel, giving 30 % higher yield strength and 20–25 % lower cost, with similar corrosion resistance in mild environments.
Q2: Is 204 stainless steel coil magnetic?
A: Essentially non-magnetic in the annealed condition; permeability <1.005 even after severe cold working.
Q3: Can 204 coil be used for food contact applications?
A: Yes, it meets FDA and GB 4806.9 for non-acidic food contact; widely used for cookware and worktops.
Q4: Why is 204 coil cheaper than 304?
A: Reduced nickel raw-material cost and more stable alloy pricing shield buyers from LME nickel volatility.
Q5: What is the maximum forming depth for 204 coil?
A: Up to 120 mm depth of draw in a 300 mm diameter pot without edge cracking, thanks to r-value ≥0.9 and elongation ≥40 %.
Q6: Do you supply oscillation-wound coils for long runs?
A: Absolutely – oscillation winding up to 1,000 kg per coil, reducing change-over time on high-speed presses.
Q7: Can I buy 204 stainless steel coil in custom weight?
A: Yes, coils from 500 kg to 25 tons; slit width down to 20 mm with ±0.02 mm tolerance.
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Buy 204 stainless steel coil now and save up to 35% compared to 304 grade!