Stainless Steel Bar Hub
Compare 303, 304 and 316 bar shapes, finishes, tolerance and trial order paths.
304/304L General-Purpose Bar
304/304L Stainless Steel Bar for
304/304L Stainless Steel Bar for
Stock Supply and Custom Cutting
304/304L stainless steel bar is the standard starting grade for general fabrication, stock replenishment, routine corrosion service and simple machined parts. FX Stainless Steel is a China-based 304 stainless steel bar supplier supporting trial orders from 100 kg to full-container shipments for buyers in Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, the Middle East and other global markets. Send your size, finish, MTC needs and required lengths so we can confirm stock availability and a cutting plan.
304 / 304L
General-purpose grade
Round / Hex / Square
Common forms
Cut-to-length
Routine service
MTC support
Document support
Quick Answer
When is 304/304L stainless steel bar the right starting grade?
Most projects start with 304/304L bar for general fabrication: equipment frames, shafts, pins, brackets, machined components and stock replenishment. For weld-critical jobs, 304L gives the lower-carbon route buyers often ask for. If CNC speed matters more than corrosion margin, compare 303; where chloride or marine exposure is the concern, step up to 316/316L.
Bar Shape / Grade Navigation
Choose the right 304 bar shape and nearby grade
304/304L Stainless Steel Round Bar
Use 304 round bar for shafts, pins, supports and repeat stock supply.
Stainless Steel Hex Bar
Use Inox 304 Hex Rod and hex bar routes for nuts, couplings and fittings.
303 Stainless Steel Bar
Choose 303 when CNC machinability and chip control matter more than general corrosion resistance.
316/316L Stainless Steel Bar
Choose 316/316L when chloride, marine or chemical exposure drives the decision.
Stainless Steel Bar Quote
Send grade, shape, size, tolerance, finish, quantity and destination for a practical bar quote.
304 Bar Supply Table
304/304L stainless steel bar supply reference
| Item | Common Scope | Buyer Note |
|---|---|---|
| Grade | 304 / 304L / SUS304 / SUS304L | Confirm ASTM, JIS, EN or drawing requirement if specified |
| Forms | Round bar, hex bar, square bar | Routine shapes can be checked by size, finish and cutting plan |
| Size | Round 3 - 200 mm; hex S5 - S75 mm; square 4 - 100 mm | Final availability depends on stock and finish requirement |
| Finish | Cold drawn, bright, polished, centerless ground | Finish affects tolerance, surface and quote timing |
| Service | Cut-to-length, MTC, labels, export packing | Useful for stock replenishment and project delivery |
Chemical Composition
Typical 304/304L chemical composition reference
Check the composition ranges below to see whether the offered heat sits inside the common 304/304L chemistry window. Final acceptance still follows the project standard, MTC and heat number.
| Element | 304 Reference | 304L Reference | Why Buyers Check It |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chromium (Cr) | 18.0% - 20.0% | 18.0% - 20.0% | Core element that confirms the heat falls within the 304/304L specification |
| Nickel (Ni) | 8.0% - 10.5% | 8.0% - 12.0% | Supports austenitic structure and toughness |
| Carbon (C) | Max 0.08% | Max 0.030% | Lower carbon helps reduce weld-decay risk |
| Manganese (Mn) | Max 2.00% | Max 2.00% | Common control element for stainless steel chemistry limits |
| Phosphorus (P) | Max 0.045% | Max 0.045% | Should stay within the required standard |
| Sulfur (S) | Max 0.030% | Max 0.030% | Higher-sulfur machining grades should be quoted separately |
| Silicon (Si) | Max 0.75% | Max 0.75% | General alloying and deoxidizing element in stainless steelmaking |
Data note: composition ranges are common reference values, not a substitute for project standards, MTC and heat number checks.
Equivalent Grades
304/304L stainless steel equivalent grade reference
Grade names can arrive as AISI, JIS, UNS or EN in the same RFQ. Match the buyer wording to the MTC and PO before confirming material.
| System | 304 | 304L | Buyer Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| AISI / ASTM | 304 | 304L | Common wording for 304 stainless steel round bar and general bar supply |
| JIS | SUS304 | SUS304L | Common in Japan-related and Southeast Asia drawings |
| UNS | S30400 | S30403 | Useful for formal material cross-checking |
| EN / Werkstoff | 1.4301 | 1.4307 | Confirm exact EN requirement if the drawing names it |
Standard Naming
Standard naming reference for 304 stainless steel bar
This section aligns ASTM, JIS, GB/T, AISI and UNS wording in an inquiry. The order standard should still follow the drawing, PO and certificate.
| Buyer Wording | Standard / System | Practical Note |
|---|---|---|
| ASTM A276 304 stainless steel bar | ASTM A276 | Common wording for 304 stainless steel bars and shapes |
| JIS G4303 SUS304 | JIS / SUS | Common for Japan-related and Southeast Asia purchasing language |
| GB/T 1220 06Cr19Ni10 | GB/T 1220 | China standard wording should be checked against MTC and PO |
| AISI 304 / UNS S30400 | AISI / UNS | Useful grade identity wording, but not a full order specification by itself |
Do not rely on grade name alone. Confirm size, finish, tolerance, heat number and certificate wording before shipment.
304 vs 304L
304 vs 304L stainless steel bar: practical difference
When a mill certifies a heat as 304/304L dual grade, it means the material meets the required 304 chemistry and the lower-carbon 304L limit. Ask us to confirm the actual MTC before quoting.
| Decision Point | 304 | 304L |
|---|---|---|
| Main difference | Standard carbon range | Lower carbon version |
| Typical use | General fabrication, supports, equipment parts | Fabrication where low carbon is requested |
| Weldability | Suitable for many fabrication jobs, but confirm the project specification | Often chosen when welding or heat-affected areas matter |
| Quote note | Usually common stock path | May be supplied as dual-certified material when the batch supports it |
Applications
Common 304/304L stainless steel bar applications
304/304L bar is usually selected when the buyer needs a balanced stainless grade, not the easiest machining grade or the strongest chloride-resistance grade.
| Application | Common Bar Form | Why 304/304L Fits |
|---|---|---|
| Frames, brackets and supports | Round bar, square bar or flat bar | Balanced corrosion resistance and fabrication fit |
| Equipment shafts and pins | Round bar | Good general-purpose stainless starting grade |
| Food and equipment parts | Round or hex bar | Common stainless grade for many clean environments |
| Stock replenishment | Round, hex or square bar | Flexible grade path for general buyers |
| Inox 304 hex rod components | Hex bar | Useful for Southeast Asia buyers quoting across-flats stock |
Quality Check
Check grade, finish and documents before shipment
A 304/304L quote should make the grade, size, finish, MTC and packing plan clear before shipment.
MTC and heat number
We provide MTC and heat number traceability by production batch.
Cut-to-length
Cut-to-length is available. Confirm size, length tolerance and packing requirements before shipment.
Grade fit
Choose 303 for faster CNC machining and 316/316L for chloride or marine exposure.
QA Checklist
QA checklist before 304/304L bar shipment
For 304/304L bar orders, buyers should confirm the grade route, dimensions and packing details before shipment release.
| Check Point | What to Check | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| MTC and heat number | Certificate data should match the shipped batch | This gives the warehouse and project team a traceable batch record |
| Grade and chemistry | Check 304 / 304L, SUS304 / SUS304L and key elements | A mismatch here can turn 304 into a receiving dispute, especially when 304L is requested |
| Diameter / AF / side / length | Check round, hex, square or cut-to-length dimensions | Most bar disputes start with diameter, AF size, side size or cut length |
| Surface and packing photo | Confirm bright, polished, ground or standard surface condition | Photos make the expected finish clear before bundles leave the warehouse |
| Labels and bundle marks | Confirm marks, size labels and export packing when required | Clear bundle marks save time when mixed sizes arrive at the buyer warehouse |
QA note: third-party inspection, PMI or extra checks can be added when required by the project.
Related Grades
Compare 304/304L with nearby grade and finish paths
303 Stainless Steel Bar
Need easier chip control or faster CNC machining? See our 303 stainless steel bar page.
316/316L Stainless Steel Bar
Move to 316/316L when chloride, marine or chemical exposure is the main concern.
Peeled Stainless Steel Bar
Need cleaner machining stock before final turning? See the peeled stainless steel bar page.
Centerless Ground Stainless Steel Bar
Need tighter diameter control for 304 shafts or precision turned parts? See the ground bar page.
Related Reading
Read the practical buying guides around 304 bar supply
304 vs 304L Stainless Steel Bar
See when the low-carbon route really matters for welding, MTC wording and bar buying decisions.
Stainless Steel Bar Price Guide 2026 for Southeast Asia Buyers
Use this guide to understand how 304, finish route and destination affect quote logic.
2026 Nickel Supply Alert for 304 Stainless Steel Bar Prices
Understand how nickel supply pressure can affect 304 stainless steel bar buying decisions.
Import Stainless Steel Bars into Vietnam: 2026 Buyer Guide
Useful when 304 round bars are being purchased for Vietnam projects with ASTM, MTC and document checks.
Stainless Steel Grade Equivalent Lookup
Check 304, SUS304, S30400 and 1.4301 naming before document checks.
FAQ
304/304L stainless steel bar FAQ
What is 304 stainless steel bar used for?
304 stainless steel bar is widely used for general fabrication, equipment parts, supports, pins, shafts and stock supply where a balanced stainless grade is needed.
When should I use 304L instead of 304?
Choose 304L when lower carbon content matters for welding, fabrication control or project specifications.
Is 304 stainless steel bar enough for marine use?
For stronger marine or chloride exposure, buyers usually choose 316/316L instead of 304.
Can 304 bar be cut to shorter lengths?
Yes. We can cut 304 bar to shorter lengths based on bar size, finish, tolerance and packing requirements.
Is Inox 304 Hex Rod the same as 304 stainless steel hex bar?
Yes. Inox 304 Hex Rod is the same product as 304 stainless steel hex bar, under a regional naming convention common in Southeast Asia. Send us the grade, across-flats size, finish, tolerance and quantity so we can quote the correct hex bar route.
Can FX supply 304/304L bar with MTC?
Yes. FX Stainless Steel can supply 304/304L bar with MTC, heat number information, labels and export packing when required.
Send your 304/304L bar requirement.
Share the shape, size, finish, quantity and destination. We will check stock availability, cutting options, MTC and export packing for your project.
Contact Sales Team