304 is a widely used stainless steel grade for general industrial environments. It is often selected where general corrosion resistance, manufacturability, and cost balance are important.

Common Considerations

When selecting 304 for bearings or rod ends, it provides a strong baseline for standard applications that do not involve extreme chemical or chloride exposure.

• Good general corrosion resistance.
• Suitable for many indoor and mild outdoor environments.
• Lower cost than 316.
• Lower hardness than martensitic grades such as 420 and 440C.

Typical Use Direction

304 may be considered for selected bearing-related parts or assemblies where corrosion resistance is needed but extreme chloride exposure, marine environments, or high contact wear are not the primary concerns. It is highly prevalent in food processing, basic automation, and general weather-exposed linkages.

Limitations

While an excellent all-rounder, 304 has boundaries in severe environments:

• Less suitable than 316 for chloride-rich environments (like constant seawater or harsh washdown chemicals).
• Not intended for high-hardness wear-focused contact functions (rolling elements typically require 440C or similar high-carbon grades).