4 1/4 Stainless Steel Hex Bar 304

Product Details: 304 Stainless Steel Hex Bar

​Overview

The ​304 stainless steel hex bar is a high-performance, corrosion-resistant alloy engineered to meet the rigorous demands of industrial, architectural, and marine applications. Renowned for its balanced composition of chromium, nickel, and carbon, this hexagonal bar offers unmatched durability, machinability, and aesthetic versatility. In this comprehensive guide, we delve into its technical specifications, mechanical properties, manufacturing processes, and real-world applications, ensuring your project benefits from material excellence.

​Technical Specifications

​Detailed Performance Attributes

​1. Tensile Strength: Engineered for Heavy-Duty Applications

The ​304 stainless steel hex bar delivers a ​minimum tensile strength of 515 MPa (75,000 psi) and a yield strength of 205 MPa (30,000 psi). This exceptional strength-to-weight ratio makes it ideal for:

• ​Structural Components: Bolts, nuts, and fasteners in construction and automotive systems.
• ​High-Temperature Parts: Exhaust manifolds and turbine blades where thermal stability is critical.
• ​Medical Devices: Surgical instruments requiring sterilizability and fatigue resistance.

The alloy’s ductility (40–50% elongation at break) allows for complex machining, cold forming, and welding without cracking or brittleness.

​2. Bend Strength: Resilience in Dynamic Environments

With a ​minimum bend strength of 210 MPa (30,000 psi), the ​stainless steel hex bar maintains structural integrity under repetitive stress. This property is vital for:

• ​Marine Hardware: Boat railings and propeller shafts exposed to saltwater and mechanical stress.
• ​Architectural Frameworks: Decorative trims and load-bearing supports in high-traffic areas.
• ​Aerospace: Landing gear components requiring lightweight yet robust materials.

Cold-drawn bars exhibit enhanced bend strength due to strain hardening during manufacturing.

​3. Identification and Certification: Ensuring Material Authenticity

Authentic ​304 stainless steel hex bars are verified through:

• ​Chemical Composition: 18–20% chromium (Cr), 8–10.5% nickel (Ni), ≤0.08% carbon (C).
• ​Certification Marks: Mill Test Reports (MTRs) confirming compliance with ASTM A276 or EN 1.4301.
• ​Non-Destructive Testing (NDT): Ultrasonic or eddy current inspections to detect internal flaws.

For critical applications, specify ​Low-Carbon 304L (0.03% max C) to prevent carbide precipitation during welding.

​4. Weight Calculation: Precision for Logistics and Costing

The weight of a ​304 stainless steel hex bar is calculated using the formula:
\text{Weight (kg)} = \frac{{\text{Across Flats (mm)}^2 \times \text{Length (m)} \times 0.0068}}
Example: A 30mm hex bar measuring 5m weighs 302×5×0.0068=30.6kg.

For imperial measurements:
\text{Weight (lbs/ft)} = \frac{{\text{Across Flats (in)}^2 \times 0.2833}}
This predictability streamlines inventory management and shipping cost estimations.

​5. Why Does Stainless Steel Rust? Understanding Limitations

Although ​304 stainless steel is highly corrosion-resistant, certain conditions can compromise its passive oxide layer:

• ​Chloride Exposure: Coastal environments or de-icing salts induce pitting corrosion.
  • Solution: Use ​316 stainless steel for marine applications.
• ​Galvanic Corrosion: Contact with dissimilar metals (e.g., aluminum or carbon steel) in conductive environments.
  • Solution: Insulate materials with non-conductive gaskets.
• ​High-Temperature Oxidation: Prolonged exposure above 870°C depletes chromium content.
  • Solution: Apply high-temperature coatings or select heat-resistant grades like ​309/310.
• ​Mechanical Damage: Grinding or scratches expose the substrate to moisture.
  • Solution: Passivate surfaces post-machining to restore corrosion resistance.

​Advanced Manufacturing Processes

​1. Hot Rolling

Billets heated to 1200°C are shaped into hexagonal profiles, enhancing grain structure for superior toughness and fatigue resistance.

​2. Cold Drawing

Precision drawing through tungsten carbide dies achieves tight tolerances (±0.05mm) and smooth surfaces, ideal for high-speed machining.

​3. Solution Annealing

Heated to 1050–1100°C and rapidly quenched to dissolve carbides, ensuring optimal corrosion resistance and mechanical properties.

​4. Surface Finishing

• ​Pickling: Removes scale using nitric-hydrofluoric acid baths.
• ​Polishing: Achieves Ra ≤0.4µm for decorative or hygienic applications.
• ​Passivation: Nitric acid treatment enhances chromium oxide layer formation.

​Industry-Specific Applications

​Why Choose Our 304 Stainless Steel Hex Bar?

(Positioned Strategically at the Bottom for Conversion Optimization)

1. ​Certified Quality Assurance
   • Third-party tested for hardness, composition, and intergranular corrosion resistance.
   • Full traceability with Mill Test Reports (MTRs) and ISO 9001:2015 certification.
2. ​Customization at Scale
   • Tailored sizes (3mm–150mm), lengths (1m–12m), and finishes (polished, sandblasted).
   • Laser etching, custom packaging, and just-in-time delivery options.
3. ​Global Compliance
   • Meets RoHS, REACH, and NACE MR-0175 standards for harsh environments.
4. ​Competitive Pricing
   • Bulk order discounts and cost-saving solutions for OEMs and distributors.
5. ​Technical Expertise
   • 24/7 engineering support for material selection, machining guidelines, and weldability tips.
6. ​Sustainability Leadership
   • Eco-friendly production with 75% recycled content and carbon-neutral logistics.