Stainless Steel 304L Fasteners
Stainless Steel 304L fasteners are manufactured from a low‑carbon version of the 304 austenitic stainless steel grade. The letter “L” denotes this reduced carbon level, which is kept below 0.03% to minimise carbide precipitation during welding. The alloy itself is based on iron with chromium typically in the 18–20% range and nickel in the 8–12% range.
Because of the reduced carbon content, these fasteners hold up well in welded assemblies without needing post-weld heat treatment. They resist corrosion effectively, including in mildly acidic and chloride-containing environments. Strength levels are slightly lower than standard 304, but for most applications, the difference is not significant.
These fasteners are used in chemical plants, food and drink processing, marine equipment, and general factory work. They are available as bolts, nuts, washers, screws, studs, and threaded rods.
Stainless Steel 304L Fasteners Price
The approximate price range and the factors affecting it are explained in detail below.
Approx Price Range
In India, SS 304L fasteners usually range in price from around INR 80 to INR 600 per kilogram, with the exact rate determined by the particular type and size of the fastener.
Price Per kg
|
Fastener Type |
Approx Price (INR/kg) |
|
Hex Bolts |
INR 120 – 280 |
|
Hex Nuts |
INR 100 – 220 |
|
Washers |
INR 90 – 180 |
|
Studs |
INR 150 – 350 |
|
Socket Head Screws |
INR 200 – 500 |
Factors Affecting Price
- Nickel and chromium spot prices in global markets
- Fastener type, size, and thread specification
- Quantity ordered (bulk orders typically get better rates)
- Surface finish: plain, passivated, or electropolished
- Certifications required (mill test reports, third-party inspection)
- Import duties and logistics if sourced internationally
Types Of Stainless Steel 304L Fasteners
Stainless Steel 304L Fasteners are available in 12 types listed below.
- Hex bolts and hex head screws
- Hex nuts and heavy hex nuts
- Socket head cap screws
- Countersunk screws
- Carriage bolts
- Eye bolts and J-bolts
- Stud bolts and threaded rods
- Spring washers and flat washers
- Lock nuts and flange nuts
- U-bolts
- Self-tapping screws
- Machine screws
Stainless Steel 304L Fasteners Specifications
The specification of Stainless Steel 304L Fasteners, including length, size and standards, is listed in the table given below.
|
Stainless Steel 304L Fasteners Specifications |
ASTM A193 / A193, ASME SA193 / SA194 |
|
Standard |
DIN, ASTM, BS and all International Standards |
|
Length |
3 mm to 200 mm |
|
304L Stainless Steel Nuts Size |
M3 - M56 3/6" to 2" |
|
Stainless Steel 304L Bolt Size |
M3 - M56 3/6" to 2" |
|
304L SS Screws Size |
M1.6 To M12 |
|
304L Stainless Steel Washers Size |
M3 To M56 3/6" to 2" |
Chemical Composition Of Stainless Steel 304L Fasteners
The chemical composition of Stainless Steel 304L Fasteners, along with their proportion is listed in the table below.
|
Element |
Content (%) |
|
Carbon (C) |
Max 0.030 |
|
Manganese (Mn) |
Max 2.00 |
|
Silicon (Si) |
Max 0.75 |
|
Phosphorus (P) |
Max 0.045 |
|
Sulphur (S) |
Max 0.030 |
|
Chromium (Cr) |
18.00 – 20.00 |
|
Nickel (Ni) |
8.00 – 12.00 |
|
Nitrogen (N) |
Max 0.10 |
|
Iron (Fe) |
Balance |
Mechanical Properties Of Stainless Steel 304L Fasteners
The mechanical properties of Stainless Steel 304L Fasteners, including tensile strength, yield strength and elongation, are listed below.
|
Property |
Value |
|
Tensile Strength (UTS) |
Min 485 MPa (70 ksi) |
|
Yield Strength (0.2% offset) |
Min 170 MPa (25 ksi) |
|
Elongation |
Min 40% |
Physical Properties Of Stainless Steel 304L Fasteners
The physical properties of Stainless Steel 304L Fasteners, including thermal conductivity and density, are listed in the table below.
|
Grade |
Density (kg/m3) |
Elastic Modulus (GPa) |
Mean Coefficient of Thermal Expansion (m/m/°C) |
Thermal Conductivity (W/m.K) |
Specific Heat 0-100°C (J/kg.K) |
Electrical Resistivity (n.m) |
|||||
|
0-100°C |
0-315°C |
0-538°C |
at 100°C |
at 500°C | |||||||
|
304/L/H |
8000 |
193 |
17.2 |
17.8 |
18.4 |
16.2 |
21.5 |
500 |
720 | ||
Stainless Steel 304L Fasteners Size Chart
Stainless Steel 304L Fasteners are available in the below mentioned size and diameters.
|
Bolt Size |
Shank Diameter (mm) |
Thread Pitch (mm) |
Hex Width Across Flats (mm) |
|
M6 |
6.0 |
1.00 |
10 |
|
M8 |
8.0 |
1.25 |
13 |
|
M10 |
10.0 |
1.50 |
17 |
|
M12 |
12.0 |
1.75 |
19 |
|
M16 |
16.0 |
2.00 |
24 |
|
M20 |
20.0 |
2.50 |
30 |
|
M24 |
24.0 |
3.00 |
36 |
|
M30 |
30.0 |
3.50 |
46 |
Key Features Of Stainless Steel 304L Fasteners
Stainless Steel 304L Fasteners have 8 important features listed below.
- Low carbon content reduces carbide precipitation risk in heat-affected zones
- Good corrosion resistance in a wide range of environments
- Suitable for use in welded assemblies without post-weld annealing
- Non-magnetic in the annealed condition
- Compatible with most standard thread forms and tooling
- Available in a wide range of sizes and head configurations
- Good performance in temperatures from cryogenic up to approximately 870°C (for dry environments)
- Easy to clean and maintain, which is relevant for food and pharma use
Applications of Stainless Steel 304L Fasteners
Stainless Steel 304L Fasteners are used in 12 high-performance industrial environments.
- Chemical and petrochemical plant equipment
- Food processing and dairy machinery
- Pharmaceutical manufacturing facilities
- Marine and offshore structures
- Pressure vessels and heat exchangers
- Pulp and paper industry equipment
- Water treatment plants
- Architectural cladding and structural connections
- Brewery and beverage equipment
- Medical and laboratory equipment assemblies
- HVAC and cryogenic systems
- General fabrication where welded joints are involved
How To Choose The Right Stainless Steel 304L Fasteners Supplier?
Follow the steps below to choose the right Stainless Steel 304L Fasteners
Selecting The Right Supplier
Not every supplier stocks genuine 304L. Some may supply standard 304 and label it incorrectly. Ask specifically for mill test certificates (MTCs) before placing an order. A reliable supplier will provide these without hesitation.
Look for suppliers who maintain consistent stock across multiple sizes, especially if your project requires varied fastener dimensions. Buying from many different vendors for the same project can lead to uneven quality and appearance.
Technical Considerations
Ensure that the supplier is able to meet the exact fastener standards your project requires (for example, ASTM A193, DIN 933, ISO 4014, and so on). If you need custom lengths, special thread designs, or surface finishes such as electropolishing, confirm in advance that they can supply these options.
For flanged piping setups or pressure-rated equipment, ensure that the stud bolts and nuts are correctly matched. For example, pair B8L bolts with Grade 8 nuts as specified in ASTM A194.
Evaluating Supplier Credibility
Look for ISO 9001 certification, PED compliance (if exporting to European markets), and third-party inspection capabilities. Check whether the supplier has experience supplying to industries similar to yours. Testimonials or references from chemical, pharma, or marine clients are a good sign.
Avoid working with suppliers who are unable to give you the heat number or batch traceability information for the material.
Procurement Strategy
For large-volume projects, negotiate pricing based on total tonnage rather than individual pieces. To fix the cost, set up a rate contract with the supplier. This gives better unit pricing for ongoing projects.
Consolidating bolt, nut, and washer procurement from a single supplier reduces the risk of mismatched grades or finishes in the assembly.