304 Stainless Steel Pipe & Tube
We supply 304 stainless steel pipe and 304 stainless steel tubing, seamless and welded, cut and finished in our own plant in Wuxi. Seamless pipe & tube run 6–660 mm OD. Welded pipe & tube run 19–480 mm OD, and large diameter welded pipe goes up to 3,000 mm OD.
TP304 and TP304L to ASTM A312 and A269; EN 1.4301/1.4307 marking on request
Seamless walls 1–12 mm, welded 1.5–12 mm; Sch 5S to 80S
Laser cut, polished or brushed in our own plant
Up to 100,000 tons processed a month, backed by 3,000 tons of stainless pipe & tube in stock (out of 80,000 tons in total)
Why Order 304 SS Pipe & Tube From MTS
01
Seamless, Welded and Sanitary 304
Seamless 304 runs 6–660 mm OD. Welded 304 runs 19–480 mm OD in mill finish, pickled on NPS sizes, or as sanitary tube. Square 304 runs 25×25 to 200×200 mm.
02
Cut and Finished in Our Plant
Our tube laser cuts 304 pipe & tube up to 350 mm OD, 10 mm wall and 9 m long. We polish inside and out to Ra 0.8 µm and brush to No.4 or HL.
03
Capacity, Stock and Delivery From Wuxi
We process up to 100,000 tons a month and keep 3,000 tons of stainless pipe & tube in stock in 60,000 m² of warehouse space in Wuxi. Our own cranes load each container for Shanghai, Qingdao or Tianjin.
04
Pipe and Tube in One Container
Combine NPS pipe for the plant and OD tube for the skids in one load. One supplier, one set of papers.
The Default Grade for Water and Food Lines
304 holds 18% chromium and 8% nickel. In fresh water, steam condensate, food products and mild chemicals, it lasts for decades without coating.
That is why 304 stainless steel pipe & tube run through breweries, dairies, water plants and machines. Start with 304. Move up to 316L only when chlorides, acids or a coastal site appear.
304 Stainless Steel Pipe & Tube Range
TP304 Pipe & Tube
Standard grade for unwelded lines and threaded pipe. Also called T304 stainless steel pipe in some specs.
TP304L Pipe & Tube
Low carbon, 0.035% max. Choose 304L stainless steel pipe & tube for butt-welded systems.
TP304H Pipe & Tube
Carbon 0.04–0.10% for strength above about 500°C. 304H pipe & tube serve boiler and superheater lines.
304 Seamless and Welded Pipe & Tube
Seamless for pressure and heavy walls, welded for most process lines. See Seamless Stainless Steel Pipe & Tube.
Large Diameter 304 Welded Pipe & Tube
Longitudinally welded 304 pipe from 426 to 3,000 mm OD, wall 3–12 mm, in single lengths up to 14 m. A358 304 orders are quoted on request.
304 Square and Rectangular Pipe & Tube
SS 304 square pipe & tube from 25×25 to 200×200 mm, and 304 rectangular tube, for frames and railings. See Stainless Steel Square Pipe & Tube.
Specifications
| Item | Range |
|---|---|
| Grades | TP304, TP304L, TP304H; TP304/304L dual on request |
| Equivalents | UNS S30400 / S30403 / S30409; EN 1.4301 / 1.4307 / 1.4948; JIS SUS304TP / SUS304TB |
| Pipe | Seamless OD 6–660 mm, wall 1–12 mm; welded OD 19–480 mm, wall 1.5–8 mm; pickled welded pipe NPS 1/2″–14″; large diameter welded OD 426–3,000 mm, wall 3–12 mm |
| Tube | Seamless OD 6–660 mm; heat exchanger tube OD 8–88.9 mm, wall 0.8–1.5 mm, bright annealed; sanitary tube OD 19–480 mm, wall 1.5–5 mm |
| Square | 25×25–200×200 mm, wall 1.5–6 mm |
| Length | Seamless 4–12 m (6 m standard); welded 6, 9, 12 m, to order 14–18 m; large diameter up to 14 m |
| Standards | Pipe: ASTM A312 / SA312, A358, A778. Tube: ASTM A269, A213 / SA213, A249. EN 10216-5, EN 10217-7 |
Buying 304 Stainless Steel Pipe & Tube: Names, Variants and Limits
One Grade, Many Names
Your drawings may name the same steel in many ways. Here is how to read them.
- TP304 is the grade name in ASTM pipe & tube standards. “TP” stands for “type.”
- A312 TP304, A312TP304 and A312Gr TP304 all mean pipe to ASTM A312, grade TP304.
- SA312 TP304 and SA312 TP304L are the ASME code versions for pipe.
- A269 TP304 is general service tube. A213 TP304 and SA213 TP304L are boiler and heat exchanger tube.
- SS304, 304 SS and 304ss tubing are plain trade names.
- SUS304 is the JIS name. Pipe SUS304 is SUS304TP; tube is SUS304TB.
On a purchase order, write standard and grade together. For example: “ASTM A312 TP304L, Sch 10S” or “ASTM A269 TP304, 1/2″ × 0.049″.” Avoid “SS304 stainless steel pipe” on its own. It names a steel, not a product standard.
TP304, TP304L or Dual Grade?
TP304 allows up to 0.08% carbon. When you weld it, carbon can bind with chromium near the weld. That zone then corrodes faster.
TP304L limits carbon to 0.035%. It avoids that problem. Its minimum yield is a little lower, 170 MPa against 205 MPa.
Dual-certified “TP304 TP304L” pipe & tube meet both and are available on request. Tell us whether your spec names A312 304, A312 304L or both.
When You Need TP304H
TP304H keeps carbon between 0.04% and 0.10%. Higher carbon holds strength above about 500°C. The standards also require a grain size check for H grades.
Order 304H only when your design code names it. For water, food and general lines, it adds cost and testing with no benefit.
Seamless or Welded 304?
For most water and food lines, welded and annealed 304 performs like seamless. It is cheaper and has a more even wall. See Stainless Steel Welded Pipe & Tube.
Choose seamless for high pressure, heavy walls or small, precise tube. Some project specs also require seamless in hazardous service.
Where 304 Reaches Its Limit
304 resists fresh water up to about 200 ppm chloride. Above that, or when hot, pitting can start under deposits.
Move to another grade when you see these conditions:
- Seawater, brine or salt spray: use 316 Stainless Steel Pipe & Tube or duplex.
- Chlorinated pools or high-chloride cooling water: use 316L as a minimum.
- Hot water above 60°C with chlorides: 304 can crack under stress. Consider duplex.
For everything else, 304 stainless steel pipe & tube give the best value per meter.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is TP304 the same as 304 stainless steel?
Yes. TP304 is how ASTM pipe & tube standards name grade 304. The chemistry matches 304 sheet or bar. The "TP" tells you the product was made and tested to a pipe or tube standard, such as A312 or A269.
What is the difference between SS304 and 304L pipe & tube?
304L has lower carbon, 0.035% maximum. That keeps welds from losing corrosion resistance. SS304 allows up to 0.08% carbon. If you weld and do not anneal again, order 304L or dual grade.
Is 304 stainless steel pipe & tube magnetic?
Annealed 304 is almost non-magnetic. Cold drawing or bending can make it slightly magnetic, and so can weld beads. This does not reduce corrosion resistance.
What wall should I use for 304 water lines?
For pipe, Sch 10S is the most common wall on welded 304 lines. Use Sch 40S when you thread or need more pressure margin. For tube, follow your fitting maker's wall range. Your piping class has the final word.
Can I get 304 pipe & tube with SUS304 marking?
Yes, on request, where the material meets both standards. Tell us the JIS standard on your drawing first, since sizes differ.
What is the price of 304 stainless steel pipe & tube?
Price follows nickel cost, size, wall and seamless or welded. Welded 304 usually costs less than seamless in the same size. Send your list and we will quote within 2–4 working hours.
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