204 Stainless Steel Sheet – High-Strength, Low-Nickel, Non-Magnetic Alternative to 304
Meta Description (135 characters):
204 stainless steel sheet delivers 30 % higher yield than 304 at a lower price. Mirror, 2B, BA finishes. Global shipping. Request instant quote.
Looking for a stainless grade that combines 304-level corrosion resistance with 30 % higher yield strength and a significantly lower price? 204 stainless steel sheet is the answer. This nitrogen-strengthened, low-nickel austenitic alloy (UNS S20400) offers excellent formability, a bright mirror-like finish, and non-magnetic properties in the annealed condition—making it the go-to choice for automotive trim, railway cars, kitchen appliances and architectural panels. When you buy 204 stainless steel sheet from trusted 204 stainless steel sheet suppliers, you save up to 35 % versus 304 while meeting ASTM, EN and JIS standards.
What is 204 Stainless Steel Sheet?
204 stainless steel sheet is a lean-alloy austenitic grade in which manganese and nitrogen replace part of the nickel, yielding higher strength and a more stable 204 stainless steel sheet price. The higher nitrogen content (0.20–0.30 %) boosts tensile and yield strengths without sacrificing ductility or corrosion resistance in mild environments. Compared with 201/201L, grade 204 contains more chromium and nickel, offering better pitting resistance; against 304, it provides comparable corrosion performance in urban atmospheres while costing 20–25 % less.
Chemical Composition (% by mass, max unless range)
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 & Mechanical Properties
Thickness Range: 0.3 mm – 50 mm (cold-rolled 0.3–3 mm; hot-rolled 3–50 mm)
Standard Widths: 1000, 1219, 1250, 1500 mm (slit-to-width available)
Wide range of finishes available – 2B, BA, Hairline, and Mirror 8K
Key Advantages of 204 Stainless Steel Sheet
30–40 % Higher Yield Strength than 304 → lighter gauges, lower material cost.
Lower & More Stable Price – Reduced nickel content shields you from LME volatility.
Excellent Deep Drawing – BA coils can be drawn into complex sink bowls without edge cracking.
Good Corrosion Resistance – Handles urban atmospheres, mild acids and cleaning agents.
Non-Magnetic in Annealed Condition – Ideal for electronic housings and MRI-compatible fixtures.
Wide Finish Portfolio – From matte 2B to super-mirror 8K, embossed or anti-fingerprint.
Applications & Industries
Automotive Trim & Structural Parts: Door frames, trunk lids, exhaust heat-shields; 390 MPa yield allows thinner, lighter sections.
Railway & Subway Car Bodies: Side walls and roof skins benefit from high strength-to-weight ratio and bright BA finish.
Kitchen Equipment: Deep-drawn BA coils for cookware, refrigerator doors and dishwasher panels that resist tomato acids.
Cookware & Utensils: Pots, pans and steamers with mirror polish pass 500-hour neutral salt-spray tests.
Architectural Panels & Elevator Doors: 8K mirror or hair-line HL finishes create luxury aesthetics without luxury cost.
Tubes and Pipes: Strip is roll-formed and HF-welded into structural square tubes for handrails and display racks.
Consumer Electronics Housings: Non-magnetic, fingerprint-resistant coatings keep laptops and TV frames looking pristine.
Elegant 204 stainless steel sheets applied in high-end elevator cabins
Manufacturing Process & Quality Assurance
Electric-Arc Furnace Melting – Scrap and alloying elements melted under argon shielding.
Continuous Casting – 200 mm slabs cast for uniform chemistry and minimal inclusions.
Hot Rolling – Reheat to 1,220 °C and roll to 3–12 mm plate or 2–3 mm transfer bar.
Cold Rolling – Transfer bar reduced to 0.3–3 mm at 20 °C with ±0.02 mm thickness tolerance.
Bright Annealing – 1,100 °C in hydrogen atmosphere for mirror BA finish and restored corrosion resistance.
Finishing – Skin-pass for 2B, polish lines for No.4/HL, super-polish for 8K mirror or embossed patterns.
Quality Control – Spectrometer, ultrasonic thickness, and ASTM tensile tests ensure every 204 stainless steel sheet meets specification before packing.
Maintenance & Cleaning Guide
Routine Cleaning: Warm water + mild detergent, soft cloth, rinse and dry to prevent water spots.
Fingerprint Removal: 1 % vinegar solution, wipe along grain, buff with microfiber cloth.
Avoid: Chloride bleach, hydrochloric acid, steel wool or abrasive powders that can pit the surface.
Storage: Elevate on wooden pallets, cover with breathable PE film, keep away from moisture and carbon steel dust.
Passivation: Optional citric acid bath after fabrication to remove free iron and enhance 204 stainless steel properties.
Why Choose Our 204 Stainless Steel Sheet?
✅ Direct Mill Sourcing – Eliminate trader margins; lock in 204 stainless steel sheet price for 30 days.
✅ Custom Sizes & Precision Cutting – Laser, water-jet, shear within ±0.2 mm; circles, blanks or slit coils.
✅ Full Certification – EN 10204 3.1 MTC, SGS, BV, ISO 9001 supplied free of charge.
✅ Fast Worldwide Shipping – 5,000 t stock; 5-day FOB dispatch to 120+ ports.
✅ 100 % Quality Guarantee – Replace or refund any non-conforming sheet; free samples available on request.
Custom-cut 204 stainless steel sheets professionally packed for global shipment
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: What is the difference between 204 and 304 stainless steel? 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 magnetic? A: Essentially non-magnetic in the annealed condition; slight magnetism may appear after severe cold working.
Q3: Can 204 stainless steel sheet be used for food contact? A: Yes, it meets FDA and GB 4806.9 requirements for non-acidic food contact; widely used for cookware and worktops.
Q4: Why is 204 cheaper than 304? A: Lower nickel content reduces raw-material cost and shields buyers from volatile LME nickel prices.
Q5: What is the maximum temperature 204 stainless steel can withstand? A: Continuous service up to 650 °C; intermittent up to 800 °C without scaling.
Q6: Do you supply BA or 8K mirror finish? A: Absolutely – BA, 8K, embossed, anti-fingerprint or PVC film applied in-house.
Q7: How fast can you deliver to the USA? A: 10-12 days production + 18 days sea freight to LA or Houston; East-Coast rail 7 days extra.
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Request Instant Quote Today – Simply enter thickness, width, length and finish on our product page. Buy 204 stainless steel sheet now and save up to 35 % vs 304 grade! Free samples, mill certificates and global shipping included.
204 Stainless Steel Plate – High-Strength, Low-Nickel, Cost-Smart Alternative to 304
Meta Description (140 characters):
204 stainless steel plate delivers 350 MPa yield, 40% cost saving vs 304. Mirror polish, deep-draw, global shipping. Instant quote.
Searching for a stainless sheet that outperforms 201 in strength yet undercuts 304 in price? 204 stainless steel plate (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 30–40 %. From deep-drawn kitchen sinks to mirror-polished elevator cabins, 204 stainless steel plate keeps high-speed presses running and architectural budgets healthy. Discover why leading 204 stainless steel plate suppliers worldwide are switching to this lean-alloy powerhouse for decorative, structural and light-duty applications.
What is 204 Stainless Steel Plate? (UNS S20400)
204 stainless steel plate is a nitrogen-strengthened, manganese-rich 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 nitrogen (0.15–0.35 %) boosts yield strength above 350 MPa—far exceeding 304-cost ratios. 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
Technical Specifications
Thickness Range: 0.3 mm – 100 mm (cold-rolled 0.3–3 mm; hot-rolled 3–100 mm)
Widths: 1000, 1219, 1250, 1500, 2000 mm (precision slitting down to 20 mm)
Lengths: 2000, 2438, 3000, 6000 mm or custom cut; coil-fed or blanked
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 Plate?
✅ Direct Mill Sourcing & Factory-Direct Pricing – Eliminate trader margins; lock 204 stainless steel plate price for 30 days.
✅ Precision Cutting (Laser, Waterjet, Plasma) – ±0.2 mm tolerance, beveling, threading, hole drilling.
✅ Full EN 10204 3.1 Certificates & Third-Party Inspection – SGS, BV, TÜV available on request.
✅ 5000+ Tons Ready Stock + Same-Day Dispatch – 0.3–100 mm × 20–2000 mm ready for immediate dispatch.
✅ Free Samples Available – 2 kg mini-coil or A4 sheets couriered within 48 hours.
FAQ Section (7–8 Detailed Questions)
Q1: What is the difference between 204 and 304 stainless steel plate? A: 204 uses manganese and nitrogen to replace most nickel, giving 30–40 % higher yield strength and 30–40 % lower cost, with similar urban corrosion resistance.
Q2: Is 204 plate stronger than 201/201L? A: Yes, 204 offers ~15 % higher yield strength and better corrosion resistance due to higher chromium and nitrogen content.
Q3: Can 204 stainless steel plate be used for food contact? A: Yes, it meets FDA and GB 4806.9 for non-acidic food contact; widely used for display racks and worktops.
Q4: Is 204 plate magnetic? A: Essentially non-magnetic in annealed condition; permeability <1.005 even after cold forming.
Q5: Why is 204 plate significantly cheaper than 304? A: Reduced nickel raw-material cost and more stable alloy pricing shield buyers from LME nickel volatility.
Q6: Can 204 achieve true mirror (8K) finish? A: Absolutely – BA and 8K mirror finishes achieve >80 % reflectivity for luxury elevators and cladding.
Q7: Do you supply 204 stainless steel plate in custom width? A: Absolutely – precision slitting down to 20 mm with ±0.02 mm tolerance and oscillation winding for long runs.
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