204 Stainless Steel Pipe – High-Strength, Low-Nickel, Cost-Smart Alternative to 304
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204 stainless steel pipe delivers 350 MPa yield, 30–40% stronger than 304 at lower cost. Mirror polish, deep-draw, global shipping. Instant quote.
High-quality 204 stainless steel pipe with mirror-polished surface
Introduction
Searching for a stainless pipe that stamps like 304 but costs like 201? 204 stainless steel pipe (UNS S20400) is your answer. This nitrogen-strengthened, manganese-rich austenitic grade delivers 30–40 % higher yield strength than 304 while slashing material cost by 25–35 %. From furniture handrails to automotive exhaust, 204 stainless steel pipe keeps high-speed presses running and budgets healthy. Discover why leading 204 stainless steel pipe suppliers worldwide are switching to this lean-alloy powerhouse for decorative, structural and light-fluid applications.
What is 204 Stainless Steel Pipe? (UNS S20400)
204 stainless steel pipe is a high-nitrogen, low-nickel austenitic grade that maintains a fully austenitic structure for excellent formability and non-magnetic properties. The balanced chromium (15–17 %) and manganese (7–9 %) content provides urban corrosion resistance, while 0.15–0.35 % 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 | 7.0–9.0 | ≤2.0 |
| P | ≤0.06 | ≤0.045 |
| S | ≤0.03 | ≤0.03 |
| Cr | 15.0–17.0 | 18.0–20.0 |
| Ni | 1.0–3.0 | 8.0–10.5 |
| N | 0.15–0.35 | ≤0.10 |
Product Types & Technical Specifications
- Types: Welded pipe (ERW, HF), seamless (cold-drawn, pilger), square & rectangular tube
- Size Range: OD 6 mm – 630 mm (1/8" – 24"); WT 0.5 mm – 25 mm (Sch 5S – Sch 80S)
- Standards: ASTM A312, A358, A778, EN 10217-7, JIS G3459, GB/T 12771
- Surface: Pickled & passivated, polished 180–600 grit, brushed HL, embossed
- Lengths: 5.8 m, 6 m random or custom cut (≤12 m)
Mechanical Properties (ASTM A312)
| 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) | ≥0.9 |
Common Sizes & Wall Thicknesses
| OD (mm) | WT (mm) | Finish | Standard |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12.7 | 1.0 | Polished 600G | ASTM A554 |
| 25.4 | 1.2 | 2B | EN 10217-7 |
| 50.8 | 2.0 | BA | JIS G3459 |
| 76.2 | 2.5 | HL | GB/T 12771 |
| 101.6 | 3.0 | Pickled | ASTM A312 |
Round, square, and rectangular 204 stainless steel pipes in polished and brushed finishes
Superior Advantages of 204 Stainless Steel Pipe
- 30–40 % Higher Yield Strength than 304 – Allows thinner walls, lighter weight, lower freight cost.
- 25–35 % Cheaper and More Price-Stable – Reduced nickel content shields you from LME volatility; lower 204 stainless steel pipe price.
- Excellent Cold Forming, Bending & Flaring – High n-value and r-value reduce spring-back in furniture radii and automotive bends.
- Good Corrosion Resistance – Handles urban atmospheres, mild acids and cleaning agents; passes 500-hour neutral salt-spray.
- Fully Weldable & Non-Magnetic in Annealed Condition – Compatible with ER308L or ER204 filler; permeability <1.005 even after cold bending.
Wide Applications
- Furniture, Handrails & Balustrades: Mirror-polished 204 stainless steel pipe for furniture – chair frames, table legs, balcony railings with 600G luxury reflectivity.
- Automotive Exhaust & Trim Components: Down-pipes, tail-pipe resonators; 350 MPa yield allows down-gauging for weight savings.
- Mechanical & Structural Tubing: Load-bearing frames in exhibition booths, portable stages, solar-panel racking.
- Water & Low-Pressure Fluid Conveyance: Urban cold-water lines, greenhouse irrigation, fire-sprinkler headers where chloride <50 ppm.
- Food Processing Conveyor Frames: Sanitary 2B pipes for display racks, non-acidic food conveyors meeting FDA requirements.
- Architectural Decoration & Signage Supports: Square tubes for column covers, signage trusses, decorative columns.
- Greenhouse Structures & Fencing: Pickled round pipes for vineyard posts, deer fencing, lightweight yet durable.
Sleek 204 stainless steel pipes used in high-end commercial handrail systems
Manufacturing Process & Quality Assurance
- Electric-Arc Furnace + AOD Refining – Exact chemistry, low inclusion content.
- Continuous Casting – 200 mm billets for uniform grain structure.
- Hot Piercing & Pilgering (Seamless) – Cold-drawn to ±0.05 mm OD tolerance.
- HF Welding (ERW) – Strip edges heated and forged; 100 % online UT weld inspection.
- Cold Drawing & Sizing – Achieve ±0.05 mm OD, ±8 % WT; 600G mirror polish optional.
- Solution Annealing – 1,050 °C in protective atmosphere for restored corrosion resistance.
- QC Testing – Spectrometer, tensile, flattening, flare, hydrostatic pressure, intergranular corrosion per ASTM A763 ensure every 204 stainless steel pipe meets specification.
Packaging & Shipping Standards
- End Caps: Plastic or rubber caps on both ends to protect bevels.
- Outer Wrap: 0.1 mm PE film + 0.2 mm VCI paper + knitted sleeve.
- Bundling: Hexagonal bundle with 4–8 steel straps, 3×3 wooden sleepers.
- Marking: Heat number, size, weight, standard, production date on outer bundle tag.
- Shipping: 20 ft or 40 ft container, average 22 tons payload; same-day loading on stock items.
Why Buy 204 Stainless Steel Pipe from Us?
✅ Direct from Top Mills – TISCO, JISCO, Indian & European producers; genuine 204 stainless steel coil suppliers.
✅ Full Size Inventory + Custom Cutting – OD 6–630 mm, WT 0.5–25 mm; 3,000 t ready for immediate dispatch.
✅ Third-Party Inspection & Certificates – EN 10204 3.1 MTC, SGS, BV, ISO 9001 supplied free.
✅ Same-Day Dispatch & Export-Standard Packing – 5-day FOB to 120+ ports; DDP available.
✅ Free Samples Available – 150 mm length or A4 flat samples couriered within 48 hours.
Professional bundled and capped 204 stainless steel pipes ready for global shipment
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: What is the difference between 204 and 304 stainless steel pipe?
A: 204 uses manganese and nitrogen to replace most nickel, giving 30–40 % higher yield strength and 25–35 % lower cost, with similar corrosion resistance in mild environments.
Q2: Is 204 stainless steel pipe magnetic?
A: Essentially non-magnetic in the annealed condition; permeability <1.005 even after cold bending.
Q3: Can 204 pipe be used for drinking water or food contact?
A: Yes, it meets FDA and GB 4806.9 for non-acidic potable water and food contact where chloride <50 ppm.
Q4: Why is 204 pipe significantly cheaper than 304?
A: Reduced nickel raw-material cost and more stable alloy pricing shield buyers from LME nickel volatility.
Q5: Is 204 suitable for outdoor applications?
A: Suitable in urban or low-chloride environments; for coastal salt-spray, 316 is recommended.
Q6: What welding methods and filler are recommended?
A: TIG, MIG, HF welding with ER308L or ER204 filler; no pre-heat or post-weld heat treatment required.
Q7: Do you supply 204 stainless steel pipe in custom lengths?
A: Absolutely – 0.3–12 m with ±1 mm tolerance, deburred and plastic-capped ends.
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