Stainless Steel Duplex 2304 (UNS S32304 / EN 1.4362)
Stainless Steel Duplex 2304 (UNS S32304 / EN 1.4362) – Specifications, Properties and Applications
Stainless Steel Duplex 2304 (UNS S32304 / EN 1.4362) is a lean duplex stainless steel featuring a balanced microstructure of approximately 50% austenite and 50% ferrite. This unique combination provides excellent corrosion resistance, high mechanical strength, and superior resistance to stress corrosion cracking compared to conventional austenitic stainless steels such as 304L.
With its relatively low nickel content, Duplex 2304 offers a cost-effective alternative while delivering outstanding mechanical performance, excellent weldability, and improved resistance to pitting and crevice corrosion. It is widely used in chemical processing, water treatment plants, storage tanks, heat exchangers, pressure vessels, piping systems, and structural applications.
Emirerri Steel supplies Stainless Steel Duplex 2304 in sheets, plates, coils, pipes, tubes, round bars, flanges, and pipe fittings to customers across Tunisia, Algeria, Morocco, Libya, and international markets.
Key Features of Stainless Steel Duplex 2304
- Excellent corrosion resistance
- High mechanical strength
- Superior resistance to stress corrosion cracking
- Excellent resistance to pitting and crevice corrosion
- Low nickel content for improved cost efficiency
- Excellent weldability
- Good formability
- High fatigue strength
- Long service life
- Low maintenance requirements
Stainless Steel Duplex 2304 Specifications
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Grade | Stainless Steel Duplex 2304 |
| UNS Number | S32304 |
| Werkstoff Number | 1.4362 |
| EN Designation | X2CrNiN23-4 |
| Stainless Steel Family | Duplex Stainless Steel |
| Standards | ASTM A240, ASTM A276, ASTM A790, ASTM A928, ASTM A182, EN 10088 |
| Product Forms | Sheet, Plate, Coil, Pipe, Tube, Round Bar, Flanges, Pipe Fittings |
| Surface Finish | No.1, 2B, BA, No.4, Mirror Finish |
| Supply Condition | Solution Annealed |
Equivalent Grades of Stainless Steel Duplex 2304
| Standard | Equivalent Grade |
|---|---|
| ASTM | Duplex 2304 |
| UNS | S32304 |
| EN | 1.4362 |
| DIN | X2CrNiN23-4 |
| JIS | SUS2304* |
| ISO | X2CrNiN23-4 |
*The JIS designation may vary depending on the manufacturer and applicable standard.
Available Sizes
Plates
- Thickness: 5 mm to 100 mm
- Width: 1000 mm to 2500 mm
- Length: Up to 12000 mm
Sheets
- Thickness: 0.5 mm to 6 mm
- Width: Up to 2000 mm
Pipes & Tubes
- Outside Diameter: 6 mm to 610 mm
- Wall Thickness: 0.5 mm to 40 mm
Round Bars
Diameter: 6 mm to 500 mm
Duplex 2304 Chemical Composition
| Element | Composition (%) |
|---|---|
| Chromium (Cr) | 21.5 – 24.5 |
| Nickel (Ni) | 3.0 – 5.5 |
| Molybdenum (Mo) | ≤ 0.60 |
| Nitrogen (N) | 0.05 – 0.20 |
| Carbon (C) | ≤ 0.03 |
| Manganese (Mn) | ≤ 2.50 |
| Silicon (Si) | ≤ 1.00 |
| Phosphorus (P) | ≤ 0.040 |
| Sulfur (S) | ≤ 0.030 |
| Iron (Fe) | Balance |
Duplex 2304 Mechanical Properties
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Tensile Strength | ≥ 600 MPa |
| Yield Strength (0.2% Offset) | ≥ 400 MPa |
| Elongation | ≥ 25% |
| Hardness | ≤ 290 HB |
| Modulus of Elasticity | 200 GPa |
Duplex 2304 Physical Properties
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Density | 7.80 g/cm³ |
| Melting Range | 1425 – 1510°C |
| Thermal Conductivity | 19 W/m·K |
| Electrical Resistivity | 0.85 µΩ·m |
| Specific Heat Capacity | 500 J/kg·K |
| Magnetic Permeability | Slightly Magnetic |
Types of Stainless Steel Duplex 2304 Products
Corrosion Resistanc
Stainless Steel Duplex 2304 provides excellent resistance to:
General corrosion
Pitting corrosion
Crevice corrosion
Chloride-induced stress corrosion cracking
Industrial environments
Mild saline water
Its duplex microstructure provides significantly better corrosion resistance and mechanical strength than Stainless Steel 304L, making it an excellent choice for aggressive industrial environments.
Heat Resistance
Unlike heat-resistant grades such as Stainless Steel 309 or 310, Duplex 2304 is primarily designed for corrosion resistance rather than prolonged exposure to elevated temperatures.
Recommended Service Temperature
Continuous Service: Up to approximately 300°C
Extended exposure above this temperature may reduce toughness and alter the duplex microstructure.
Heat Treatment
Solution Annealing
- Temperature: 950°C – 1050°C
- Cooling: Rapid water quenching
Benefits
- Restores corrosion resistance
- Improves toughness
- Relieves internal stresses
- Maintains the optimum ferrite-austenite balance
Stainless Steel Duplex 2304 cannot be hardened by heat treatment but can be strengthened through cold working.
Welding of Stainless Steel Duplex 2304
Grade 2304 offers excellent weldability using conventional welding methods.
Recommended Welding Methods
- GTAW (TIG)
- GMAW (MIG)
- SMAW (Shielded Metal Arc Welding)
- SAW (Submerged Arc Welding)
- Orbital Welding
Welding Advantages
- Excellent weld quality
- Maintains balanced duplex microstructure
- High post-weld mechanical strength
- Excellent corrosion resistance after proper welding procedures
Post-weld cleaning, pickling, and passivation are recommended to restore the protective passive layer and maximize corrosion performance.
Fabrication of Stainless Steel Duplex 2304
Machining
- Turning
- Milling
- Drilling
- Threading
Forming
- Cold bending
- Roll forming
- Press forming
- Deep drawing
Cutting
- Laser cutting
- Plasma cutting
- Waterjet cutting
- Mechanical sawing
Surface Finishing
- Pickling
- Passivation
- Mechanical polishing
- Electropolishing
Applications
Water Treatment Industry
- Desalination plants
- Water treatment facilities
- Distribution piping systems
Chemical Processing
- Storage tanks
- Reactors
- Process piping
- Pressure vessels
Petrochemical Industry
- Heat exchangers
- Processing equipment
- Chemical transport systems
Food & Beverage Industry
- Storage vessels
- Processing equipment
- Hygienic piping systems
Industrial Construction
- Structural components
- Fabricated equipment
- Industrial platforms
Energy Industry
- Cooling systems
- Industrial process equipment
- Utility piping systems
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