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Metal · Material Overview

Stainless 304

Stainless Steel 304 / 304L family — Common austenitic stainless for corrosion-resistant fabricated and machined parts.

MetalFood-contact candidateChemical resistant

Specialty tags

Screening hints only. Certifications (medical, food-contact, flame, HazLoc) apply to specific grades and finished equipment — verify with supplier documentation.

Food-contact candidate. Commonly available in food-contact formulations — confirm regulatory status for the exact grade.
Chemical resistant. Often selected where chemical exposure matters — resistance is chemistry-, concentration-, and grade-dependent.

Advantages

Broad corrosion resistance in many environments
Widely available sheet and bar forms
Good fabricability relative to many stainless grades

Limitations

Work-hardens in machining
Heavier than aluminum
Not ideal for all chloride/high-temp chemistries

Compatible Processes

CNC Machining

Remove material from solid stock using computer-controlled cutting tools.

Sheet Metal Fabrication

Cut, bend, and join sheet stock into brackets, enclosures, and chassis.

Stamping

Form sheet metal in powered presses using dies for high-volume repeatable parts.

Investment Casting

Lost-wax style process for detailed metal parts with better surfaces than many sand castings.

Forging

Shape metal using compressive force, often improving grain flow for structural parts.

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