sa 240 304l vs s30403

 

SA 240 GR 304L vs. S30403: A Detailed Comparison

 

At Gangsteel, a leading manufacturer and exporter of stainless steel products, we supply high-quality SA 240 GR 304L stainless steel plates compliant with ASME SA 240 and ASTM A240 standards.

 A common question we receive is the comparison between SA 240 GR 304L and S30403. This article clarifies that SA 240 GR 304L and S30403 refer to the same material, detailing their specifications, properties, and applications for uses like plat stainless 304 and SA 240 GR 304 pipe. For inquiries, contact us at admin@gangsteel.com or explore our ASME SA 240 stainless steel plate offerings.

 

Overview of SA 240 GR 304L vs. S30403

• SA 240 GR 304L: This is the designation for a low-carbon austenitic stainless steel under ASME SA 240, specifying plates, sheets, and strips for pressure vessels and general corrosive service. It’s equivalent to AISI 304L and known for its excellent weldability, corrosion resistance, and non-magnetic properties.
• S30403: This is the Unified Numbering System (UNS) designation for the same low-carbon 304 stainless steel, identifying its chemical composition universally across standards (e.g., ASME, ASTM, EN, JIS). S30403 corresponds directly to SA 240 GR 304L, AISI 304L, and EN 1.4306/1.4307.

Key Clarification: SA 240 GR 304L and S30403 are the same material, with SA 240 GR 304L being the ASME specification for plates and S30403 being the UNS identifier for the alloy’s composition. Both share identical properties, including a density of 8.00 g/cm³ and SA 240 304 non magnetic characteristics in the annealed state.

 

Chemical Composition Comparison

Since SA 240 GR 304L and S30403 are the same material, their chemical compositions are identical:

Element	SA 240 GR 304L / S30403 (%)
Carbon (C)	0.00 - 0.03
Manganese (Mn)	0.00 - 2.00
Silicon (Si)	0.00 - 0.75
Phosphorus (P)	0.00 - 0.045
Sulfur (S)	0.00 - 0.030
Chromium (Cr)	18.00 - 20.00
Nickel (Ni)	8.00 - 12.00
Nitrogen (N)	0.00 - 0.10
Iron (Fe)	Balance

• Carbon: Low (≤0.03%) to prevent sensitization during welding, enhancing corrosion resistance.
• Chromium: Forms a passive oxide layer for corrosion resistance.
• Nickel: Ensures ductility and non-magnetic properties.

For detailed specifications, refer to our SS 304 data sheet.

 

Mechanical Properties

The mechanical properties of SA 240 GR 304L (S30403) for annealed plates (8-75 mm thick) are:

Property	Value (Minimum)	Notes
Tensile Strength	485 MPa (70.3 ksi)	Strength before fracture
Yield Strength (0.2% Offset)	170 MPa (24.7 ksi)	Stress at plastic deformation onset
Elongation (A5, 50 mm)	40%	High ductility for forming
Hardness (Brinell)	≤ 201 HB	Supports machinability
Hardness (Rockwell B)	≤ 92 HRB	Alternative hardness metric

Compared to SA 240 GR 304 (S30400), 304L has lower strength (tensile ≥485 MPa vs. 515 MPa, yield ≥170 MPa vs. 205 MPa) due to reduced carbon, but superior weldability. See sa 240 gr 304.

 

Physical Properties

• Density: 8.00 g/cm³, ideal for lightweight designs (e.g., a 1m x 1m x 3mm plate weighs ~24 kg).
• Melting Point: ~1400-1450°C.
• Thermal Conductivity: 16.2 W/m·K.
• Coefficient of Thermal Expansion: 17.2 × 10⁻⁶/K.
• Electrical Resistivity: 0.72 × 10⁻⁶ Ω·m.

These properties support applications like plat SS 304 3mm and plate 2 mm SUS 304.

 

Corrosion Resistance and Weldability

SA 240 GR 304L (S30403) offers excellent corrosion resistance in:

• Atmospheric conditions, freshwater, and mild acids (food-grade).
• General environments, outperforming SS204 vs SS 304 due to higher nickel.

Its low carbon content (≤0.03%) minimizes sensitization, making it ideal for welded applications like SA 240 GR 304 pipe. It’s less resistant to chloride pitting compared to SA 240 GR 316L. Weldability is excellent with ER308L fillers. For chloride-heavy environments, explore sa 240 gr 316l.

 

Applications

SA 240 GR 304L (S30403) is used in:

• Food Processing: Welded tanks and equipment (e.g., plat stainless 304).
• Chemical Industry: Vessels and SA 240 GR 304 pipe for mild corrosives.
• Architecture: Structural panels like plate 2 mm SUS 304.
• Medical Devices: Non-magnetic components leveraging SA 240 304 non magnetic properties.

For high-temperature applications, explore sa 240 gr 304h or sa 240 gr 321.

 

Pricing and Availability at Gangsteel

As of October 15, 2025, SA 240 GR 304L (S30403) plate prices (2B finish, 3-6mm) range from $1.50-$3.45/kg globally. Gangsteel offers competitive pricing at $1.50/kg FOB (MOQ 1 ton) for sa 240 gr 304l plates, including custom sizes like plate 2 mm SUS 304.

 

Why Choose Gangsteel?

Gangsteel provides certified SA 240 GR 304L (S30403) plates with competitive SS 304 plate price and global delivery. Our 600+ ton inventory supports applications from plat stainless 304 to heavy plates. For quotes or to learn more, visit our astm a 240 stainless plate page or email admin@gangsteel.com.