2304 / 1.4362 / UNS S32304 Stainless Steel Specification

What is UNS S32304 Stainless Steel?

UNS S32304 (also known as Alloy 2304 or 1.4362) is a lean duplex stainless steel with a microstructure consisting of approximately 50% austenite and 50% ferrite. This grade is designed to offer corrosion resistance comparable to 316L while providing a yield strength twice that of standard austenitic grades (such as 304/316); additionally, it is molybdenum-free and has a significantly reduced nickel content. Common product forms include plate, sheet, strip, bar, tubing and piping (both seamless and welded), pipe fittings, and various fabricated components.

 

2304 Stainless Steel Grade Equivalents

Standard / System	Grade / Designation
UNS	S32304
AISI / ASTM	2304
EN Material Number	1.4362
EN Designation	X2CrNiN23-4
Material Type	Lean Duplex Stainless Steel
Common Name	Duplex 2304 / Alloy 2304
Typical Product Forms	Plate, Sheet, Strip, Bar, Tube, Pipe, Fittings

Important: 2304, 1.4362 and UNS S32304 identify closely corresponding grades, but the applicable chemical composition, mechanical properties and delivery requirements depend on the specific product standard. For example, ASTM/ASME and EN specifications should not be treated as interchangeable simply because they use the same grade designation. ASTM A240 lists UNS S32304 as 2304, while EN 10088-2 identifies 1.4362 as X2CrNiN23-4.

 

UNS S32304 Chemical Composition EN 10088-2:2024 

Element	1.4362 / X2CrNiN23-4, wt.%
Carbon (C)	≤ 0.030
Silicon (Si)	≤ 1.00
Manganese (Mn)	≤ 2.00
Phosphorus (P)	≤ 0.035
Sulfur (S)	≤ 0.015
Chromium (Cr)	22.0–24.5
Nickel (Ni)	3.5–5.5
Molybdenum (Mo)	0.10–0.60
Nitrogen (N)	0.05–0.20
Copper (Cu)	0.10–0.60

 

2304 Stainless Steel Mechanical Properties

Property	Typical / Reference Value
Tensile Strength, Rm	600–830 MPa
Yield Strength, Rp0.2	≥400 MPa
Elongation, A5	≥25%
Hardness	≤260 HB
Elastic Modulus	≈200 GPa
Thermal Conductivity	≈15 W/m·K
Specific Heat	≈500 J/kg·K

 

The density of 2304 duplex stainless steel (UNS S32304 / EN 1.4362) is approximately 7.80 g/cm³ (0.282 lb/in³ or 7800 kg/m³).

 

 

In many environments, the corrosion resistance of 2304 is comparable to that of AISI 316L, while it offers superior resistance to stress corrosion cracking (SCC).
Pitting Resistance (PREN): Its Pitting Resistance Equivalent Number (PREN) typically ranges from 24 to 28-comparable to or slightly higher than that of 316L (PREN approx. 24–26) and significantly higher than that of 304L (PREN approx. 19).
Limitations: While 2304 is well-suited for environments with mild to moderate chloride exposure (such as process water or splash zones), it is not recommended for highly corrosive sour gas (H₂S) service or extreme marine environments; under such severe conditions, super duplex stainless steels (e.g., 2507) or 6% molybdenum (6% Mo) austenitic stainless steels are typically required.

 

2304 stainless steel has a minimum yield strength of 400 MPa (58 ksi), whereas 304/316L grades are around 205 MPa (30 ksi). For certain cold-worked or specifically processed bar products, the yield strength can reach 450–550 MPa. This high strength allows engineers to utilize thinner wall thicknesses in the design of pressure vessels, piping, and structural components, thereby significantly reducing weight-by as much as 30%–40%-without compromising safety.

 

 

Because 2304 contains no molybdenum and has a significantly lower nickel content (approximately 4%, compared to 10%–12% for 316L), it is less susceptible to price volatility, and its price per ton is generally lower than that of 316L. Market data indicates that the price of 316L is often 25%–40% higher than that of 304; consequently, economical duplex stainless steels like 2304 offer a lower-cost, price-stable alternative.

 

 

Pulp and paper industry: Used for wood chip silos, white and black liquor tanks, digesters, and bleaching equipment.
Chemical and petrochemical processing: Used in the manufacture of pressure vessels, storage tanks, piping systems, and heat exchangers.
Food and beverage processing: Used for brewing tanks, fruit juice storage tanks, and equipment for handling acidic foods.
Construction and infrastructure: Used for bridges, concrete reinforcement, and structural components.
Mining industry: Used in systems handling abrasive and corrosive slurries.

If you are willing, please let me know:
The specific operating environment or chemical exposure conditions you anticipate;
And whether you intend to compare the 2304 grade with other grades such as 316L or 2205.
This will help me determine whether it is suitable for your project.

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Ready Stock: GNEE typically maintains a large inventory of 2304 stainless steel plates and industrial pipes, enabling rapid delivery.
Customized Shapes: Utilizing advanced laser welding technology, GNEE can produce 2304 H-beams, channel steel, and angle steel in oversized or specific dimensions, overcoming the size limitations of standard hot-rolled profiles.
Precision Tubing: Supply of 2304 precision seamless tubing for heat exchangers and pressure vessels.

2304 / 1.4362 / UNS S32304  Specification 

Product Category	Product Form	Applicable Standards	Size Range (Typical)
Plates & Sheets	Hot Rolled Plate, Cold Rolled Sheet, Coil, Strip	ASTM A240, EN 10088-2	Thickness: 0.3mm – 100mm; Width: up to 3000mm
Pipes & Tubes	Seamless Pipe, Welded Pipe (ERW/EFW), Heat Exchanger Tube	ASTM A789, A790, EN 10216-5	OD: 6mm – 630mm; WT: 0.5mm – 40mm
Bars & Rods	Round Bar, Hexagonal Bar, Square Bar, Bright Bar	ASTM A276, A479, EN 10088-3	Diameter: 5mm – 500mm
Structural Shapes	H-Beam, I-Beam, Equal/Unequal Angle, Channel	ASTM A276, A484	Custom sizes and Laser-welded profiles
Fittings & Flanges	Elbow, Tee, Reducer, Cap, Stub End, Forged Flanges	ASTM A182, A815, ANSI B16.5	1/2" to 48" (Sch 5S to XXS)

 

Processing Services

GNEE offers one-stop processing services to reduce the customer's downstream processing workload:
Cutting: Laser cutting, water-jet cutting, plasma cutting, and sawing.
Surface Finish: No.1 (pickled), 2B (cold-rolled), BA (bright annealed), No.4/Hairline (brushed), and sandblasting.
Forming: Bending, stamping, and leveling (uncoiling and flattening coils into cut-to-length sheets/plates).

 

Is 2304 better than 316L?
It depends on the specific application. 2304 generally offers higher strength and superior resistance to chloride stress corrosion cracking. In contrast, 316L contains approximately 2%–3% molybdenum, providing better resistance to localized corrosion in many environments containing chlorides and chemical media. The correct material choice depends on factors such as temperature, chloride concentration, pH value, processing methods, and the required level of corrosion resistance.

 

Is 2304 better than 2205?
Not for every application. 2205 has a significantly higher molybdenum content and generally offers stronger resistance to localized corrosion. However, 2304 has a lower alloy content, making it a potentially more economical choice for applications that do not require the higher corrosion resistance provided by 2205.

 

Can 2304 stainless steel be welded?
Yes, but as it is a duplex stainless steel, the welding process requires strict control. A qualified welding procedure must manage heat input, interpass temperature, the selection of filler materials, and cooling conditions.

 

What Standards Should Buyers Specify?
A common purchasing mistake is to write only "2304 stainless steel" on an inquiry.
A better RFQ should identify the complete specification:
UNS S32304 / ASTM A240, 2304 Duplex Stainless Steel Plate, 2B or No.1 Finish, specified thickness × width × length, solution annealed and pickled, EN 10204 3.1 MTC.