304 Stainless Steel: A Machining & Buyer’s Guide for Engineers (2026)

304 stainless steel is the most widely used austenitic stainless alloy in the world — roughly 18% chromium, 8% nickel, and no molybdenum. It machines cleanly on standard CNC mills and lathes, resists atmospheric and freshwater corrosion, polishes and anodizes well, and costs about 40–60% less than 316. For brackets, fittings, enclosures, food-contact hardware, and […]