A material of 7. 93 g/cm3, common in stainless steel, 304 stainless steel, also known in industry as 18/8 stainless steel, representing 18% chromium and 8% nickel, was invented in 1924 by william a. Hatfield, firth brown laboratory, united kingdom, by improving "v2a". The chemical components also contain 2% manganese and components such as silicon, phosphorus and sulphur, with a recommended temperature range of 196°c to 800°c, provided that exposure of up to 500°c for a long period is recommended to avoid sensitization. The national flag of 06cr19ni10 is the new number 304 stainless steel, and the european standard en10088-3: 18/10 stainless steel in 2014 is close to it, and gb 4806. 9-2023, which was implemented in september 2023, further regulates food-grade stainless steel migration. Common labelling methods in the market include 06cr19ni10 (gb/t 20878-2024), sus304 (jis, japan) and 304 (astm a959-19, united states). The material is formed through processes such as cold processing, thermal processing and welding and applies to processes such as voltage, bending and electric arc welding. Stainless steel is widely used in industrial equipment, medical devices, food containers and home-based products, and the team of wang seung-gang, the institute of metals of the chinese academy of sciences, has been able to upgrade high-temperature oxidation and corrosion-resistant steel plate (ncp-304), which was prepared using deep-rolling techniques. In 2025, through the introduction of a spatial gradient sequence cylindrical faulty structure in the traditional 304 stainless steel, the luju team of the institute of metals of the chinese academy of sciences solved the problem of "no triangle" where metal material strength and plasticity are difficult to achieve, increasing its yield strength by 2. 6 times to over 530 mpa. In the same year, china's bold wuta steel group created a global record of thick stainless steel plates, producing a single plate of up to 15 centimetres thick and a maximum of 28 tons. For food-grade 304 stainless steel, national certification is required, with international standards requiring 18 per cent chromium, 8 per cent nickel and less than 2 per cent manganese. In november 2025, a manufacturer upgraded the stainless steel pan from 0. 8 mm to 1. 1 mm。
