304 Stainless Steel Square Pipe Tube Description:

The most widely used of the stainless and heat resisting steels, 304 offers good corrosion resistance to many chemical corrodents as well as industrial atmospheres. Stainless steel rectangular tube has excellent high and cold temperature working properties.
304 Stainless Steel Square Tube has very good formability and can be readily welded by all common methods. 304/304L dual certified. It is commonly used for fabrication and tooling applications.
Thanks to its strength, durability, and corrosion resistance, 304 stainless steel square tubing is ideal for use in outdoor environments and other challenging applications. All stainless steel contains a minimum of 10.5% chromium content by mass, and this element imparts natural anti-corrosion properties that allow stainless tube to be used with harsh or acidic chemicals, fresh water, and salt water—elements that would quickly corrode standard carbon steel materials.
304 stainless steel square tube is a versatile choice for a more lightweight means of structural support. Its strength and workability makes 304 SS square tubing best suited for structural applications where extreme pressure is not involved or for internal applications where aesthetic appearance is not important. It also has excellent weight-bearing properties, high corrosion resistance, superior durability, high strength-to-weight ratio, fair resistance to thermal and electrical conductivity and more.

Characteristics:

304 Grade Stainless steel Square Tube is stocked in a continuously longitudinal welded tube. This welding produces a weld seam along the length of the tube. After welding the tube will pass under an abrasive belt to remove the outside weld bead on the outside surface. Critically the inside surface weld bead remains in place and this can cause issues in several applications. Where this is the case seamless or food grade tube should be investigated. This tube is commonly referred to as "As Welded Brush Polished" AWBP tube. This is typically an ornamental or handrail tube and comes with a 320, 400 or 600 grit polish.

Surface Protections and Coatings:

Unlike mild steel the chemistry of stainless steels means the processes and methods for protecting and finishing 304 Grade Stainless Steel are vastly different to mild steels. Most surface finishes for stainless steel will be mechanically (Polishing) or chemically (Passivating) applied. The correct surface finish will have substantial impacts on the performance and appearance of your stainless steel.

One of the most important considerations for the performance and appearance Stainless Steels is cleanliness. Surfaces need to be kept free from particles of other metals especially alloy or carbon steels. Timber also has contaminants that will leech and stain stainless steels.

IRON	& alloying elements:
CARBON	0.08% (max)
CHROMIUM	18-20%
MANGANESE	2% (max)
NICKEL	8-10.5%
PHOSPHORUS	0.045% (max)
SULFUR	0.03% (min)
SILICON	1% (max)

304 Stainless Square Tube Applications:

304 stainless square tube is used in numerous types of industrial applications, including:

Transportation holds
Plumbing
Gas lines
Lightweight structural applications
Table framing