General Information for Stainless Steel 304
| Material Group |
M - Stainless Steel |
| Sub-Group |
Austenitic Stainless Steel |
| Tensile Strength |
500-700 [N/mm^2] |
| Machinability Range |
43% |
MACHINABILITY OF 304 STAINLESS STEEL
Stainless steel 304 is an austenitic stainless-steel alloy with 19.5% chromium and 9% nickel.
It is a simple chromium-nickel stainless with 0.1% carbon that exhibits excellent resistance to atmospheric corrosion but is not suitable for harsh environments. It is relatively easy to machine (compared with other austenitic alloys) with a machinability rating of 43%.
SUMMARY:
For general Turning of Stainless Steel 304 at stable conditions use a grade with a Semi Hard substrate and Thin CVD coating.
In case you are running at a cutting speed that is lower than 390 SFM (120 m/min), it is better to use a grade with a Semi Hard substrate and PVD coating.
For general Milling use a grade with a Semi Hard substrate and Thin PVD coating.
For detailed carbide grades recommendations,check the table below.
Recommended cutting speed range for turning at stable conditions is 520 - 710 [SFM] / 160 - 215 [m/min].
Recommended cutting speed range for milling with stable clamping and short over hang is 330 - 440 [SFM] / 100 - 135 [m/min]
For detailed cutting speed recomendations, check the table below.
Equivalent International Designations for Stainless Steel 304
| Standard |
Name |
| sae |
304 |
| wnr |
1.4350 |
| din |
X5CrNi18-9 |
| bs |
304S31, 58E |
| ss |
2332/2333 |
| anfor |
Z6CN18.09 |
| uni |
X5CrNi18 10 |
| unf |
F.3551 |
| js1 |
SUS304 |
Chemical Composition for Stainless Steel 304
| Element |
Amount |
| Chromium (Cr) |
19.5% |
| Nickel (Ni) |
9% |
| Silicon (Si) |
2.00% |
| Manganese (Mn) |
1.50% |
| Molybdenum (Mo) |
0.60% |
| Carbon (C) |
0.08% |
| Phosphorus (P) |
0.04% |
| Sulfur (S) |
0.04% |
Cutting Speeds Recomendations for Stainless steel - 304
| Application |
Vc (m/min) |
Vc (SFM) |
| Turning |
160-215 |
520-710 |
| Milling |
100-135 |
330-440 |
| Parting |
65-85 |
210-280 |
| Grooving |
95-130 |
310-430 |
| Drilling |
45-60 |
150-200 |
Important! The speed estimation is given for an ideal situation:
- Most suitable carbide grade
- Stable tool clamping
- Stable workpiece clamping
- Good quality raw material
- A short overhang of the cutting tool.
- Nominal hardness of the material.
- etc.
Recommended Carbide Grades for Stainless Steel 304
Grade for Milling (Indexable)
Recommended Insert Cutting Edge Geometry for Stainless Steel 304
| Honing Size |
0.03-0.05 mm / 0.001-0.002" |
| Rake Angle |
9°-11° |
| Land Angle |
Positive |
| Land Width |
0.20-0.30 mm / 0.008-0.012" |
