Stainless Steel 304L Pipes
Stainless steel 304L pipes, also known as SS 304L pipes or UNS S30403 pipes, are a low-carbon variant of the standard 304 grade. The reduced carbon content, kept below 0.03%, minimises carbide precipitation during welding, making these pipes a reliable choice for heavy fabrication work. With strong corrosion resistance, good formability, and a wide temperature range, SS 304L pipes are widely used across chemical processing, food and beverage, oil and gas, and construction industries. 304L pipes provide reliable strength and performance over the long term, whether you choose seamless or welded pipes.
304L Stainless Steel Pipe Price
The pricing of 304L stainless steel pipes in India is determined by four key factors: size, grade certification, surface finish, and order volume. The following are the factors affecting price and the factors influencing costs.
Approximate Price Range
SS 304L pipes in India are priced between ₹220 and ₹330 per kilogram, depending on the pipe schedule, dimensions, and finish. Seamless pipes are more expensive than welded pipes because they are harder to manufacture. Pipes with a polished or mirror finish also cost more than regular mill-finish pipes.
Factors affecting price
- Raw material cost: Nickel and chromium prices directly influence the base rate of 304L pipes. A 1% rise in nickel prices typically increases pipe costs by 3–5%.
- Pipe schedule and wall thickness: Thicker pipe schedules, such as SCH 80 and SCH 160, require more metal and are significantly more expensive than lighter schedules, such as SCH 10 or SCH 40.
- Manufacturing method: Seamless pipes have more production complexity, making them 20-30% more expensive than ERW or EFW equivalents of the same size.
- Order quantity: Most Indian suppliers and stockists provide 8-15% discounts for bulk purchases above 1 metric tonne.
Available Types Of Stainless Steel 304L Pipes
SS 304L pipes come in a wide range of forms to suit structural, mechanical, and process piping requirements. The following types are available from standard stock and as custom-cut lengths.
- Stainless Steel 304L EFW Pipes
- SS 304L Seamless Pipes
- SS 304L Oval Pipes
- SS 304L Welded Pipes
- SS 304L Round Pipes
- SS 304L ERW Pipes
- SS 304L Furniture Pipes
- SS 304L Custom Pipes
- SS 304L Hollow Pipes
- SS 304L Square Pipes
- SS 304L Polished Pipes
- SS 304L Hexagon Pipes
- SS 304L Rectangle Pipes
- SS 304L Thick Wall Pipes
- SS 304L Railing Pipes
Stainless Steel 304L Pipe Specifications
SS 304L pipes conform to internationally recognised standards. The table below covers the key specification parameters used across procurement and engineering references.
|
Parameter |
Details |
|
Standards & Grades |
ASTM A312 TP304L, ASTM A358 TP304L, ASME SA312 |
|
Dimensions |
As per ASME B36.19M (seamless & welded) and ASME B36.10M (welded & seamless) |
|
Pipe Schedules |
SCH 5S, SCH 10S, SCH 20, SCH 40S, SCH 80S, SCH 160, SCH XXS |
|
Forms Available |
Seamless, Welded (ERW/EFW), Fabricated, Custom |
|
Size |
1/8" NB to 24" NB (OD: 6.35 mm to 609.60 mm) |
|
Length |
Single Random (4–7 m), Double Random (7–14 m), Cut-to-Length |
|
End |
Plain End (PE), Bevelled End (BE), Threaded End (TE) |
Chemical Composition of Stainless Steel 304L pipes
The chemical composition of SS 304L pipes determines corrosion resistance and weldability. The key differentiator from standard 304 is the reduced carbon level, which stays at or below 0.03% to prevent sensitisation.
|
Element |
Composition (%) |
|
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 |
Mechanical Properties Of Stainless Steel 304L Pipes
SS 304L pipes meet the mechanical requirements defined under ASTM A312 and ASME SA312. These values remain consistent across standard pipe schedules and are verified through mill test certification.
|
Property |
Value |
|
Tensile Strength (min) |
485 MPa (70,000 psi) |
|
Yield Strength (min) |
170 MPa (25,000 psi) |
|
Elongation (min) |
35% |
|
Hardness (Brinell) |
Max 217 HB |
|
Hardness (Rockwell B) |
Max 95 HRB |
|
Density |
7.93 g/cm³ |
Physical Properties Of Stainless Steel 304L Pipes
The physical qualities of UNS S30403 are determined by their performance in thermal and electrical conditions. These values help engineers as they develop systems and choose materials for heat-sensitive applications.
|
Property |
Value |
|
Density |
7.93 g/cm³ |
|
Melting Point |
1399°C – 1454°C (2550°F – 2650°F) |
|
Thermal Conductivity |
16.2 W/m·K at 100°C |
|
Thermal Expansion |
17.2 µm/m·°C (0–100°C) |
|
Specific Heat Capacity |
500 J/kg·K |
|
Electrical Resistivity |
7.2 µΩ·cm at 20°C |
|
Modulus of Elasticity |
193 GPa |
Size Chart Of Stainless Steel 304L Seamless Pipe
The table below specifies the 304L stainless steel pipe dimensions:
|
304L SS Pipes OD mm |
Pipes WT mm |
in. |
Sch |
Kg/m |
|
13.72 |
1.65 |
1/4 |
10S |
0.5 |
|
13.72 |
2.24 |
1/4 |
40S |
0.64 |
|
13.72 |
3.02 |
1/4 |
80S |
0.81 |
|
17.15 |
1.65 |
3/8 |
10S |
0.64 |
|
17.15 |
2.31 |
3/8 |
40S |
0.86 |
|
17.15 |
3.2 |
3/8 |
80S |
1.12 |
|
21.34 |
2.11 |
1/2 |
10S |
1.02 |
|
21.34 |
2.77 |
1/2 |
40S |
1.29 |
|
21.34 |
3.73 |
1/2 |
80S |
1.65 |
|
26.67 |
2.11 |
3/4 |
10S |
1.3 |
|
26.67 |
2.87 |
3/4 |
40S |
1.71 |
|
26.67 |
3.91 |
3/4 |
80S |
2.23 |
|
33.4 |
2.77 |
1 |
10S |
2.13 |
|
33.4 |
3.38 |
1 |
40S |
2.54 |
|
33.4 |
4.55 |
1 |
80S |
3.29 |
|
33.4 |
6.352) |
1 |
160 |
4.3 |
|
42.16 |
2.77 |
1¼ |
10S |
2.73 |
|
42.16 |
3.56 |
1¼ |
40S |
3.44 |
|
42.16 |
4.85 |
1¼ |
80S |
4.53 |
|
42.16 |
6.352) |
1¼ |
160 |
5.69 |
|
48.26 |
2.77 |
1½ |
10S |
3.16 |
|
48.26 |
3.68 |
1½ |
40S |
4.11 |
|
48.26 |
5.08 |
1½ |
80S |
5.49 |
|
60.33 |
2.77 |
2 |
10S |
3.99 |
|
60.33 |
3.91 |
2 |
40S |
5.52 |
|
60.33 |
5.54 |
2 |
80S |
7.6 |
|
60.33 |
8.742) |
2 |
160 |
11.29 |
|
73.03 |
3.05 |
2½ |
10S |
5.35 |
|
73.03 |
5.16 |
2½ |
40S |
8.77 |
|
73.03 |
7.01 |
2½ |
80S |
11.59 |
|
88.9 |
3.05 |
3 |
10S |
6.56 |
|
88.9 |
5.49 |
3 |
40S |
11.47 |
|
88.9 |
7.62 |
3 |
80S |
15.51 |
|
88.9 |
11.132) |
3 |
160 |
21.67 |
|
101.6 |
3.05 |
3½ |
10S |
7.53 |
|
101.6 |
5.74 |
3½ |
40S |
13.78 |
|
101.6 |
8.08 |
3½ |
80S |
18.92 |
|
114.3 |
3.05 |
4 |
10S |
8.5 |
|
114.3 |
6.02 |
4 |
40S |
16.32 |
|
114.3 |
8.56 |
4 |
80S |
22.67 |
|
114.3 |
13.492) |
4 |
160 |
34.05 |
|
141.3 |
6.55 |
5 |
40S |
22.1 |
|
141.3 |
9.53 |
5 |
80S |
31.44 |
|
141.3 |
15.882) |
5 |
160 |
49.87 |
|
168.28 |
3.4 |
6 |
10S |
14.04 |
|
168.28 |
7.11 |
6 |
40S |
28.69 |
|
168.28 |
10.97 |
6 |
80S |
43.21 |
|
168.28 |
14.27 |
6 |
120 |
54.75 |
|
168.28 |
18.262) |
6 |
160 |
68.59 |
|
219.08 |
8.18 |
8 |
40S |
43.2 |
|
219.08 |
12.7 |
8 |
80S |
65.63 |
|
219.08 |
18.23 |
8 |
120 |
91.3 |
|
219.08 |
23.012) |
8 |
160 |
112.97 |
Schedule Chart Of A312 TP304L
The table below lists the 304L stainless steel pipe schedule.
|
1/8" IPS (.405" O.D.) |
3 1/2" IPS (4.000" O.D.) |
|
SCH 40, 80 |
SCH 10, 40, 80, 160, XXH |
|
1/4" IPS (.540" O.D.) |
4" IPS (4.500" O.D.) |
|
SCH 10, 40, 80 |
SCH 10, 40, 80, 160, XXH |
|
3/8" IPS (.675" O.D.) |
5" IPS (5.563" O.D.) |
|
SCH 10, 40, 80 |
SCH 10, 40, 80, 160, XXH |
|
1/2" IPS (.840" O.D.) |
6" IPS (6.625" O.D.) |
|
SCH 5, 10, 40, 80, 160, XXH |
SCH 5, 10, 40, 80, 120, 160, XXH |
|
3/4" IPS (1.050" O.D.) |
8" IPS (8.625" O.D.) |
|
SCH 10, 40, 80, 160, XXH |
SCH 5, 10, 40, 80, 120, 160, XXH |
|
1" IPS: (1.315 O.D.) |
10" IPS (10.750" O.D.) |
|
SCH 5, 10, 40, 80, 160, XXH |
SCH 10, 20, 40, 80 (.500), TRUE 80 (.500) |
|
1-1/4" IPS (1.660" O.D.) |
12" IPS (12.750" O.D.) |
|
SCH 10, 40, 80, 160, XXH |
SCH 10, 20, 40(.375), TRUE40(.406), SCH80(.500) |
|
1-1/2" IPS (1.900" O.D.) |
14" IPS (14.000" O.D.) |
|
SCH 10, 40, 80, 160, XXH |
SCH10 (.188), SCH40 (.375) |
|
2" IPS (2.375" O.D.) |
16" IPS (16.000" O.D.) |
|
SCH 10, 40, 80, 160, XXH |
SCH10(.188), SCH40(.375) |
|
2 1/2" IPS (2.875" O.D.) |
18" IPS (18.000 O.D.) |
|
SCH 10, 40, 80, 160, XXH |
SCH-40 (.375) |
|
3" IPS (3.500" O.D.) |
|
|
SCH 5, 10, 40, 80, 160, XXH |
Key Features Of Stainless Steel 304L Pipes
ASTM A312 TP304L pipes offer 6 key benefits, which make them the preferred choice for demanding industrial applications.
- Corrosion Resistance
- High Temperature Resistance
- Formability and Weldability
- Hygienic Properties:
- Longevity
- Non-Magnetic
Applications Of Stainless Steel 304L Pipes
Alloy 304L pipes are used in 9 major industries that need strong, corrosion-resistant materials.
- Chemical industry
- Petrochemical industry
- Oil and gas industry
- Architecture and construction
- Industrial equipment and machinery
- Water and gas transportation
- Food and beverage processing
- Automotive and mechanical engineering
- Power generation
How To Choose The Right SS 304L Pipe Supplier
Choosing the right SS 304L pipe supplier reduces procurement risk and ensures material consistency across projects. Evaluate 4 key factors before placing an order.
Selecting the Optimal 304 Stainless Steel Pipe Supplier
Start by checking that the supplier offers ASTM A312 TP304L pipes with appropriate mill test certificates (MTC) in accordance with EN 10204 3.1 or 3.2. A supplier who can offer traceability documents from melt to delivery reduces the possibility of getting low-quality material.
Technical considerations for 304 stainless steel
Check that the supplier can provide the exact schedule, OD, and end condition required for the application. Confirm surface finish options (2B, No. 4, or BA) and check dimensional tolerances per ASME B36.19M. Suppliers with in-house testing labs for hydrostatic, PMI, and hardness tests offer improved reliability.
Evaluating supplier credibility and quality
Choose suppliers that have ISO 9001 and, when needed, PED (Pressure Equipment Directive) approval. Bhavya Steel supplies 304L pipes from approved mills and provides full chemical and mechanical test reports with every shipment.
Strategic procurement and long-term partnership
A supplier with consistent stock, fast lead times, and flexible cut-to-length services reduces downtime on project sites. Negotiate annual rate contracts for large-volume projects to lock in stable pricing and priority delivery.
Stainless Steel 304L Pipes Suppliers
Stainless Steel 304L Pipes FAQ's
The ASTM A312 TP304L ERW pipe schedule chart specifies the wall thicknesses for each nominal pipe size (NPS). The chart helps engineers in determining the optimal schedule based on pressure ratings and flow requirements.
The size table for stainless steel 304L seamless pipes is based on ASME B36.19M and includes pipe sizes ranging from 1/8" to 24" along with their outer diameters and wall thicknesses for schedules 5S to 160.
304L Schedule 10 stainless steel tubes are available in NPS sizes ranging from 1/4" to 12". The wall thickness of Schedule 10S varies from 1.65 mm for 1/4" NPS to 3.96 mm for 12" NPS. These tubes are widely used in low-pressure fluid and gas transmission systems.
SS Grade F304L EFW pipes adhere to ASTM A358 regarding wall thickness. For a 6" NPS pipe, Class 1 EFW pipes in Schedule 40S possess a wall thickness of 7.11 mm, while Schedule 80S attains 10.97 mm. EFW pipes are manufactured using electric fusion welding and are appropriate for large-diameter, high-pressure applications.
The pressure rating of alloy 304L pipes depends on their size, schedule, and operating temperature. For example, a 2" NPS Schedule 40S pipe at 20°C can safely handle about 48 bar (696 psi). At higher temperatures, the pressure rating goes down to 400 °C, and the same pipe is rated at about 33 bar. For exact design values, always use ASME B31.3.