Stainless Steel 304 Powder

Stainless steel 304 powder is a versatile material with uses across industrial, consumer, and healthcare applications. This guide provides a detailed overview of 304 stainless steel powder including its composition, properties, applications, grades, specifications, pricing, pros/cons, and more.

Composition of Stainless Steel 304 Powder

The nominal chemical composition of 304 stainless steel powder is:

ElementWeight %
Iron (Fe)Balance
Chromium (Cr)18-20%
Nickel (Ni)8-10.5%
Manganese (Mn)<2%
Silicon (Si)<1%
Carbon (C)<0.08%
Phosphorus (P)<0.045%
Sulfur (S)<0.03%
Nitrogen (N)<0.1%

The high chromium and nickel content provide excellent corrosion resistance. The low carbon variant 304L powder has <0.03% carbon.

Stainless Steel 304 Powder
SONY DSC

Overview of 304 Stainless Steel Powder Properties

Key properties of 304 stainless steel powder include:

PropertyDetails
Corrosion ResistanceExcellent due to high chromium content
StrengthTypically tensile >500 MPa when sintered
DurabilityVery good against chemical and environmental damage
Bio-compatibilitySafe for use in medical devices and implants
Thermal StabilityCan operate down to cryogenic temperatures
ManufacturabilityEasy to fabricate finished parts via pressing/sintering
MagnetismNon-magnetic unlike grade 430 steel powder

These properties support a wide range of applications for 304 stainless powder metallurgy parts.

Applications and Uses of 304 Stainless Steel Powder

Typical applications using 304 stainless steel powder include:

IndustryApplications
Consumer goodsAppliances, kitchenware, furniture, jewelry
AutomotiveGears, compressor parts, fasteners, inserts
MachinerySeals, bearings, bushings, shafts, gears
Oil and gasValves, wellhead parts, pumps
MedicalImplants, devices, MRI-compatible tools
3D printingAerospace and automotive prototypes

Owing to its excellent fabrication versatility, 304 stainless steel powder sees heavy use across powder metallurgy part manufacturing.

Grades and Specifications of 304 Stainless Steel Powder

304 stainless steel powder is covered under various ASTM material specifications:

GradeRelevant ASTM Standards
304A240, A276, A479, A743, A744
304LA240, A276, A479, A743, A744
Size RangeTypical Particle Shape
5 – 45 micronsSpherical
10 – 100 micronsIrregular, crystalline

Both gas and water atomized powders with customized particle size distribution are available.

Pricing Details for 304 Stainless Steel Powder

SupplierPrice per Kg
Sandvik$50 – $120
Carpenter Powder Products$40 – $200
Höganäs$45 – $150
Kymera International$60 – $250
Atlantic Equipment Engineers$30 – $100

Quoted pricing depends on quantity ordered, size range, production method (gas vs water atomized), purity levels, and geographical location.

Pros vs Cons of Using 304 Stainless Steel Powder

ProsCons
Excellent corrosion resistanceRelatively expensive
Bio-compatible for medical usesLower hardness and wear resistance
High ductility and toughnessSusceptible to carbide precipitation
Readily weldable and machinableNot heat treatable to higher strengths
Wide range of suppliers

FAQ

Q: Is 304L or 316L better for medical grade stainless steel powder?

A: 316L powder offers better corrosion resistance owing to higher molybdenum and is preferred for most implantable devices.

Q: What effect does carbon have on 304 stainless steel powder properties?

A: Higher carbon causes carbide precipitation and reduces corrosion resistance and ductility. Hence the low carbon 304L variant is widely used.

Q: What is the typical tapped density for 304L stainless powder?

A: Between 4.0 – 4.8 g/cc based on the atomization method and particle size distribution. Lower size ranges have higher densities.

Q: Can 304 powder be aged hardened by heat treatment?

A: No, 304 stainless cannot be age or precipitation hardened to achieve higher strength. Cold working can modestly increase its strength.

Conclusion

With its excellent corrosion resistance coupled with good fabrication properties, 304/304L stainless steel powder is an extremely versatile material suitable for components across demanding applications from biomedical implants to downhole tools for the oil industry.

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