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Stainless Steel 304
18/8 austenitic stainless (18% chrome, 8% nickel), non-magnetic
Certification Requirements
Required certifications, standards compliance, and verification protocols.
Stainless collection and handling QMS
- Chromium, nickel, iron (critical)
- Carbon, sulfur, phosphorus
- Magnetic property confirmation
- Independent lab; ASTM A993 or EN 1.4301 certified
£3–5 million (high-value material)
Rejection Criteria
Conditions and thresholds that trigger immediate rejection or downgrading.
ANY magnetic response (ferrous or wrong grade stainless)
IMMEDIATE FULL REJECTION
- Critical: 304 Is Non-Magnetic Austenitic
- Magnetic Indicates Carbon Steel Mixing Or Wrong Stainless Grade
Cr <18.0% OR >20.0%
Full rejection
- Grade Specification Violation
- Indicates Wrong Material
Ni <8.0% OR >10.5%
Full rejection
- 304 Grade Definition Violation
- <8% = Ferritic Grade (Wrong)
- >10.5% = Higher Nickel Alloy
>0.75% (typically 2–3% in 316; absent in 304)
Full rejection
Indicates 316 stainless contamination (wrong grade)
Fe <67% OR >74%
Full rejection
- Composition Outside 304 Specification
- Wrong Material
>0.08%
Full rejection or major credit
High carbon reduces corrosion resistance and workability
S >0.03% OR P >0.045%
Full rejection or major credit
Workability impairment
Any visible carbon steel mixing OR composition anomaly
FULL REJECTION (no negotiation)
- Carbon Steel Ruins Entire Melt
- 304 Stainless Buyers Zero-Tolerance
Evidence of 316, 430, 400-series, or other grades
Full rejection
- Grade Purity Critical
- 304 Specifications Compromised
Any detectable
- Immediate Rejection
- Radioactive Waste Protocol
Any visible
- Full Rejection
- Hazardous Waste Protocol
Any detectable
- Full Rejection
- Hazmat Disposal