304 stainless tube shields are precision-engineered protective components made from SS304, one of the most widely used grades of austenitic stainless steel. These shields are designed to prevent erosion and corrosion of boiler tubes and piping systems subjected to high temperatures, moisture, ash, and gas flow turbulence.

SS304 contains approximately 18% chromium and 8% nickel, offering excellent corrosion resistance in oxidizing environments, along with good mechanical strength and formability. As a result, 304 stainless tube shields are ideal for power generation, waste heat boilers, and chemical processing plants where long-term reliability is critical.

By installing SS304 shields over vulnerable tube areas, operators can significantly extend the service life of heat-exchange tubes, reduce costly downtime, and maintain overall thermal efficiency.

304 stainless tube shields provide dependable protection for industrial boiler systems where erosion and corrosion present long-term operational risks. Their strength, versatility, and corrosion resistance make them one of the most popular shielding options for industrial tube systems worldwide.

Grade 304, 304L & 304H Stainless Steel?

There are hundreds of different grades of stainless steel on the market. Each formulation offers enhanced corrosion resistance over plain carbon steel. Grade 304, 304L, and 304H are chemically similar but vary in carbon content, impacting their strength and weldability.

The similarity in naming can lead to confusion, especially between 304 and 304L. Understanding their composition and application is key.

Chemical Composition - Stainless Steel 304/304L/304H
Element	Grade
Element	304	304L	304H
Carbon (C)	0.08	0.030	0.04 – 0.10
Manganese (Mn)	2.00	2.00	2.00
Phosphorus (P)	0.045	0.045	0.045
Sulfur (S)	0.030	0.030	0.030
Silicon (Si)	0.75	0.75	0.75
Chromium (Cr)	18.00 – 20.00	18.00 – 20.00	18.00 – 20.00
Nickel (Ni)	8.00 – 10.50	8.00 – 12.00	8.00 – 10.50
Nitrogen (N)	0.10	0.10	0.10

Typical Mechanical Properties (Annealed)
Grade	Tensile Strength (N/mm²)	Yield Strength (0.2%, N/mm²)	Elongation (%)
304 Annealed	500–700	195	40
304L Annealed	460–680	180	40

Physical Properties for stainless steel 304 grades.
Property	Metric	Imperial
Density	8 g/cm³	0.289 lb/in³

Extended Mechanical Properties for stainless steel 304 grades.
Property	Metric	Imperial	Notes
Hardness, Brinell	123	123	Converted from Rockwell B
Hardness, Knoop	138	138	Converted from Rockwell B
Hardness, Rockwell B	70	70
Hardness, Vickers	129	129	Converted from Rockwell B
Tensile Strength, Ultimate	505 MPa	73,200 psi
Tensile Strength, Yield	215 MPa	31,200 psi	0.2% offset
Elongation at Break	70%	70%	in 50 mm
Modulus of Elasticity	193 – 200 GPa	28,000 – 29,000 ksi
Poisson’s Ratio	0.29	0.29
Charpy Impact	325 J	240 ft-lb
Shear Modulus	86 GPa	12,500 ksi