304L stainless steel, also known as ultra-low carbon stainless steel, is a versatile stainless steel material widely used for manufacturing equipment and components that require a good balance of corrosion resistance and formability.
It is a low-carbon variant of 304 stainless steel, specifically designed for welding applications. The lower carbon content minimizes the precipitation of carbides in the heat-affected zone (HAZ) near welds, reducing the risk of intergranular corrosion (weld decay), which can occur in some environments due to carbide precipitation.
This makes 304L stainless steel ideal for situations where welding is required, while still maintaining the excellent corrosion resistance properties of standard 304 stainless steel.