Stainless steel alloy 304 and 304L, hot rolled, annealed & pickled

Stainless steel alloy 304 and 304L are common austenitic stainless steels that exhibit some differences during hot rolling, annealing, and pickling processes:

1. Hot rolling: In the hot rolling process, 304 and 304L stainless steel are continuously hot pressed into sheets or profiles at high temperatures. This process can improve the strength and shape of the material.

2. Annealing: 304L stainless steel is usually annealed, which is heated at a temperature of about 850℃ to 1000℃ and slowly cooled to reduce the carbon content, decrease its sensitivity to intergranular corrosion, and improve its welding performance and corrosion resistance.

3. Pickling: Pickling is usually used to remove impurities such as oxide scale and welding slag on the surface of stainless steel, improving surface smoothness and corrosion resistance. 304 stainless steel is usually more susceptible to pickling treatment than 304L, as higher carbon content may lead to more corrosion.

4. Application: 304 stainless steel is widely used in food processing equipment, building decoration and other occasions that require high hardness, while 304L is more suitable for situations that require high weldability and corrosion resistance, such as chemical equipment, medical devices, etc. Choosing the appropriate processing method can adjust material properties according to specific application requirements.