204 Stainless Steel Sheet – High-Strength, Low-Nickel, Non-Magnetic Alternative to 304
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204 stainless steel sheet delivers 30 % higher yield than 304 at a lower price. Mirror, 2B, BA finishes. Global shipping. Request instant quote.
Premium 204 stainless steel sheet featuring smooth 2B surface finish
Introduction
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)
- Lengths: 2000, 2438, 3000, 6000 mm or custom cut
- Surface Finishes: 2B, BA, No.4, HL, 8K mirror, embossed, anti-fingerprint
Mechanical & Physical Properties (ASTM A240)
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Density | 7.9 g/cm³ |
| Tensile Strength | ≥690 MPa |
| Yield Strength (0.2 %) | ≥390 MPa |
| Elongation in 50 mm | ≥40 % |
| Hardness HRB | ≤95 |
| Modulus of Elasticity | 200 GPa |
| Thermal Conductivity @100 °C | 16 W/m·K |
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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Buy 204 stainless steel sheet now and save up to 35 % vs 304 grade! Free samples, mill certificates and global shipping included.