9/16″ Stainless Steel Round Bar T-304

Stainless Steel Round Bar – Type 304

Our Type 304 stainless steel round bar, also called stainless rod, is solid cylindrical stock supplied in a wide range of diameters and cut lengths. The solid core provides excellent strength and stiffness while the stainless composition resists rust, corrosion and staining.

Round bar is the starting point for turned and machined parts such as shafts, axles, spindles, pins, bushings, valve components and custom fasteners, and it is equally useful for handrails, supports, architectural elements and decorative work.

Key Features

• Solid round cross-section with a smooth, consistent diameter
• Excellent corrosion resistance and strength
• Suitable for turning, milling, drilling, threading and grinding
• Hygienic and easy-to-clean surface
• Long service life in indoor, outdoor and wet environments
• Wide range of diameters and cut lengths available

About Type 304 Stainless Steel (18-8)

Type 304 is the most widely specified austenitic stainless steel in the world. Often called 18-8 stainless, it contains roughly 18% chromium and 8% nickel, a balance that delivers excellent resistance to corrosion, oxidation and staining in everyday atmospheric, freshwater, food-contact and mild chemical environments.

It is also valued for its outstanding formability and weldability, good toughness (even at low temperatures) and a clean, attractive appearance that is easy to maintain. In the annealed condition Type 304 is essentially non-magnetic, although cold working can induce slight magnetism.

For constant exposure to salt water, de-icing salts or strong chloride solutions, Type 316 is the better choice, but for the vast majority of indoor, outdoor, architectural and food-service applications Type 304 offers the best balance of performance and cost.

Why Stainless Steel?

Stainless steel is an iron-based alloy containing at least 10.5% chromium. The chromium forms a thin, invisible, self-healing oxide layer on the surface that protects the metal from rust and corrosion, so stainless steel keeps its strength and appearance for years with minimal upkeep and without paint or coatings.

Common Applications

• Shafts, pins, spindles, axles and rollers
• Fittings, fasteners, bushings and valve parts
• Machine components and custom turned parts
• Food, beverage and pharmaceutical equipment
• Marine, outdoor and architectural hardware
• Handrails, supports, hobby projects and general fabrication

Fabrication and Handling

Round bar can be cut with a band saw, cold saw or lathe parting tool, then turned, drilled, threaded or ground to size.

Type 304 can be cut with band saws, abrasive saws, shears, plasma, laser or waterjet, and joined with TIG, MIG or resistance welding (308L filler is the usual match). Because it work-hardens quickly, use sharp tooling, steady feeds and adequate cooling when machining, and allow for springback when bending or forming.

Care and Maintenance

To keep stainless steel looking its best, clean it periodically with warm water, mild detergent and a soft cloth or non-abrasive pad, rinse thoroughly and dry. Always wipe in the direction of the grain or polish lines, avoid chlorine bleach and chloride-based cleaners, and do not use carbon-steel wire brushes or tools on the surface, as embedded iron particles can cause rust spots. If surface contamination does occur, a stainless steel cleaner or passivation treatment will restore the protective layer.

Sizes and Ordering

Select the diameter and length that fit your needs. Diameters are nominal; verify critical fits and finish allowances before machining. All dimensions listed are nominal and standard mill tolerances apply. For critical fits, structural or code-driven projects, we recommend confirming the exact dimensions and tolerances you need before ordering. If you require a size, length or quantity that is not listed, please contact us and we will be glad to help.