204 Stainless Steel Plate – High-Strength, Low-Nickel, Cost-Smart Alternative to 304
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204 stainless steel plate delivers 350 MPa yield, 40% cost saving vs 304. Mirror polish, deep-draw, global shipping. Instant quote.
Premium 204 stainless steel plate with bright, uniform 2B cold-rolled finish
Introduction
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
- Surface Finishes: 2B, 2D, BA, No.1 (hot rolled), No.4, HL, 8K mirror, embossed, etched, anti-fingerprint
- Standards Compliance: ASTM A240, A480, EN 10088-2, JIS G4304/G4305
Mechanical 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 |
| Modulus of Elasticity | 200 GPa |
Standard Sizes & Available Finishes
| Thickness (mm) | Width (mm) | Length (mm) | Finish |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0.3–0.8 | 1000–1250 | 2000–2438 | 2B, BA |
| 0.9–3.0 | 1000–1500 | 2000–3000 | 2B, No.4, HL |
| 3.0–6.0 | 1250–1500 | 2500–6000 | No.1, No.4 |
| 6.0–100 | 1500–2000 | 3000–6000 | No.1, embossed |
204 stainless steel plate available in 2B, No.4, Hairline, and mirror 8K finishes
Superior Advantages of 204 Stainless Steel Plate
- 30–40 % Higher Yield Strength than 304 → Allows thinner gauges & weight reduction, lower freight cost.
- 30–40 % Lower and More Price-Stable than 304 Plate – Stable Mn/Ni ratio shields you from LME nickel spikes; lower 204 stainless steel plate price.
- Outstanding Formability and Deep-Drawing Capability – High n-value achieves complex sink bowls without edge cracking.
- Excellent Weldability and Bright Polished Appearance – Compatible with ER308L or ER204 filler; 600G mirror finish achieves luxury reflectivity.
- Non-Magnetic in Annealed Condition – Ideal for electronics, MRI-compatible fixtures and decorative appliances.
Wide Applications
- Commercial Kitchen Equipment & Catering: Deep-drawn 204 stainless steel plate for elevator cabins, refrigerator doors, dishwasher panels, commercial sinks.
- Elevator Cabins and Architectural Panels: BA and 8K mirror sheets for luxury lobby walls, column covers, façade soffits.
- Automotive Trim and Interior Components: Non-magnetic door frames, trunk lids, seat brackets; 350 MPa yield allows down-gauging for weight savings.
- Railway & Subway Car Interiors: Brushed HL sheets for wall panels, ceiling trims, seat backs.
- Household Appliances: Washing-machine drums, microwave interiors, decorative trim.
- Food Processing Support Structures: Display racks, non-acidic ingredient transfer, conveyor belts.
- Decorative Cladding and Signage: Embossed or anti-fingerprint sheets for column covers, signage boxes, exhibition booths.
Mirror-finished 204 stainless steel plate used in high-end elevator cabin walls
Manufacturing Process & Quality Control
- Electric-Arc Furnace + AOD Refining – Exact chemistry, ultra-low inclusion content.
- Continuous Casting & Hot Rolling – 200 mm slabs for uniform grain structure.
- 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 plate meets specification.
Packaging & Global Delivery
- 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 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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