304 equivalent grades: ASTM, EN, JIS, GB, DIN
304 is austenitic chromium-nickel stainless steel specified in ASTM A240. Below, the grades that can replace it — 7 standard systems in all — with the deciding limit named for each one rather than left to be looked up. The full 304 data sheet carries the composition and mechanical tables.
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304 is cross-certified with 304S31 / 304S15, 1.4301, 06Cr19Ni10 and 3 more: the composition windows overlap closely enough that one certificate satisfies the other. 304L, 304H differ on one limit only — a carbon ceiling, an impact temperature or a strength minimum. 316, 430, 316L serve the same purpose without being the same steel, so a substitution there needs the design re-checked rather than the certificate. Across systems that is 1 in BS (superseded British), 1 in EN (European), 1 in GB/T (China), 1 in GOST (Russia/CIS), 1 in IS (India), 1 in JIS (Japan), 5 in AISI / SAE.
Cross-reference table
| Grade | System | Match | Why / differences |
|---|---|---|---|
| 304S31 / 304S15 | BS (superseded British) | Identical | BS 1449 / BS 970 (withdrawn); 304S31 has C ≤ 0.07. |
| 1.4301 | EN (European) | Identical | X5CrNi18-10: Cr 17.5–19.5, Ni 8–10.5, C ≤ 0.07 — inside the 304 window; dual-certified worldwide. |
| 06Cr19Ni10 | GB/T (China) | Identical | GB/T 20878 06Cr19Ni10 (formerly 0Cr18Ni9): C ≤ 0.08, Cr 18–20, Ni 8–11. |
| 08Kh18N10 | GOST (Russia/CIS) | Identical | GOST 5632 08Kh18N10: C ≤ 0.08, Cr 17–19, Ni 9–11. |
| IS 6911 X04Cr19Ni9 | IS (India) | Identical | Indian designation for 304 (IS 6911 wrought stainless). |
| SUS304 | JIS (Japan) | Identical | JIS G4304/G4305 SUS304: C ≤ 0.08, Cr 18–20, Ni 8–10.5 — the same limits as ASTM. |
| 304L | AISI / SAE | Near | S30403: C ≤ 0.030, yield ≥ 170 MPa, tensile ≥ 485 MPa. Same corrosion resistance, preferred for welded sections > 6 mm. Dual-certified 304/304L coil is standard. |
| 304H | AISI / SAE | Near | S30409: C 0.04–0.10 for creep strength above 525 °C; grain size ≥ ASTM 7. |
| 316 | AISI / SAE | Functional | Adds 2–3 % Mo for chloride pitting resistance (PREN 24 vs 18); replaces 304 in marine and chemical service. |
| 430 | AISI / SAE | Functional | Ferritic 17 % Cr without Ni: cheaper, magnetic, lower corrosion resistance — the substitute in appliances and trim. |
| 316L | AISI / SAE | Functional | The same austenitic family without molybdenum. Adequate in most atmospheres, not in chlorides — the substitution runs one way only. |
Identical, near and functional are defined once on the grade index; the reason column below says which limit differs in each case.
304 in BS (superseded British)
- 304S31 / 304S15 — Identical BS 1449 / BS 970 (withdrawn); 304S31 has C ≤ 0.07.
304 in EN (European)
- 1.4301 — Identical X5CrNi18-10: Cr 17.5–19.5, Ni 8–10.5, C ≤ 0.07 — inside the 304 window; dual-certified worldwide.
304 in GB/T (China)
- 06Cr19Ni10 — Identical GB/T 20878 06Cr19Ni10 (formerly 0Cr18Ni9): C ≤ 0.08, Cr 18–20, Ni 8–11.
304 in GOST (Russia/CIS)
- 08Kh18N10 — Identical GOST 5632 08Kh18N10: C ≤ 0.08, Cr 17–19, Ni 9–11.
304 in IS (India)
- IS 6911 X04Cr19Ni9 — Identical Indian designation for 304 (IS 6911 wrought stainless).
304 in JIS (Japan)
- SUS304 — Identical JIS G4304/G4305 SUS304: C ≤ 0.08, Cr 18–20, Ni 8–10.5 — the same limits as ASTM.
304 in AISI / SAE
- 304L — Near S30403: C ≤ 0.030, yield ≥ 170 MPa, tensile ≥ 485 MPa. Same corrosion resistance, preferred for welded sections > 6 mm. Dual-certified 304/304L coil is standard.
- 304H — Near S30409: C 0.04–0.10 for creep strength above 525 °C; grain size ≥ ASTM 7.
- 316 — Functional Adds 2–3 % Mo for chloride pitting resistance (PREN 24 vs 18); replaces 304 in marine and chemical service.
- 430 — Functional Ferritic 17 % Cr without Ni: cheaper, magnetic, lower corrosion resistance — the substitute in appliances and trim.
- 316L — Functional The same austenitic family without molybdenum. Adequate in most atmospheres, not in chlorides — the substitution runs one way only.
Superseded names for 304
- 18-8 — Trade/colloquial: Generic name for the 18 % Cr / 8 % Ni austenitic family (301, 302, 304).
- 302 — AISI (S30200): The higher-carbon (≤ 0.15 %) predecessor; 304 replaced it for weldability.
- S30400 — UNS: The unified number used in ASTM/ASME; 304L = S30403, 304H = S30409, 304N = S30451.
- CF8 — ASTM A351 / ACI: Cast equivalent (CF3 = 304L).
Key data for 304
Full composition, mechanical properties by thickness, heat treatment and applications for 304 →
Verified against ASTM A240/A240M-22. Last checked: September 2026.