VT machining specialises in CNC Punching 904L Stainless Steel. Because 904L Stainless Steel is corrosion resistant, strong and hygienic, and its machinability is moderate; work-hardens, so positive-rake tooling and steady feeds are used to avoid glazing, we plan each job around the grade to protect accuracy and surface quality.
CNC Punching Capability for 904L Stainless Steel
- Austenitic/martensitic grades
- Corrosion resistant
- Tolerance to ±0.01 mm
- Typical hardness 70–200 HB (annealed)
904L Stainless Steel Material Data
| Density | 8.00 g/cm³ |
|---|---|
| Tensile strength | 515 MPa |
| Yield strength (0.2%) | 205 MPa |
| Hardness | 170 HB |
| Melting point | 1400–1450 °C |
| Thermal conductivity | 16.2 W/m·K |
| Thermal expansion | 17.3 ×10⁻⁶/K |
| Electrical conductivity | 2.4% |
| Machinability (C36000 = 100%) | 45% |
| Grades we run | 303, 304/304L, 316/316L, 321, 410, 416, 420, 17-4PH, 2205 duplex |
Published typical values for 304. Other grades in the family differ — the certificate supplied with your order carries the actual heat-lot figures.
It work-hardens the moment a tool dwells. Constant feed and positive-rake tooling; a rubbing pass leaves a glazed skin the next tool cannot get through.
Machining 904L Stainless Steel with CNC Punching
904L Stainless Steel behaves predictably under CNC Punching once parameters are dialled in: machinability is moderate; work-hardens, so positive-rake tooling and steady feeds are used to avoid glazing, and we tune the operation accordingly.
We hold reference parameters for this grade, so repeat orders of 904L Stainless Steel run consistently from one batch to the next.
Achievable Tolerances for CNC Punching 904L Stainless Steel
| Feature | Standard | Precision |
|---|---|---|
| Hole position across sheet | ±0.15 mm | ±0.10 mm |
| Hole diameter | ±0.10 mm | ±0.05 mm |
| Overall blank size | ±0.20 mm | ±0.10 mm |
| Minimum hole | 1.0 × thickness | 0.8 × thickness |
| Hole-to-edge distance | 2.0 × thickness | 1.5 × thickness |
| Burr height | 0.08 mm | 0.03 mm (deburred) |
| Sheet thickness range | 0.5–6.0 mm | 0.5–3.0 mm |
Standard is what a normal quotation assumes. Precision is available on nominated features and is priced separately, because it needs extra setups, in-process gauging and CMM verification. Call out only the features that need it — blanket-tightening a drawing is the single most common reason a quote comes back expensive.
Design Tips for CNC Punching 904L Stainless Steel
We are happy to suggest design tweaks that improve manufacturability. Keeping hole-to-edge and hole-to-hole distances at least 1.5–2× thickness avoids distortion and tearing in punched 904L Stainless Steel. If you send your model early, we will return practical DFM feedback before you commit to production.
CNC Punching Quality & Inspection
We control quality throughout the process, not just at the end. In-process checks plus final inspection — including CMM where specified — keep every 904L Stainless Steel part to print. Inspection reports, material certificates and first-article documentation can be supplied on request.
Secondary Operations & Finishing
Finished 904L Stainless Steel parts can move straight into secondary operations under one roof. Typical add-ons are deburring, passivation, anodising, plating, blasting, polishing and laser marking. We coordinate the whole chain so you receive complete, inspection-ready parts.
CNC Punching Tolerances & Surface Finish
Punched 904L Stainless Steel holds hole-position repeatability around ±0.10 mm across the sheet, with consistent hole quality when punch/die clearance is matched to the gauge.
Final tolerances are governed by the material's behaviour, wall thickness and overall stiffness. We give honest DFM feedback if a callout would be costly or better achieved another way.
Why 904L Stainless Steel?
904L Stainless Steel is chosen when a part needs what this grade offers — it is corrosion resistant, strong and hygienic. We confirm the grade and any temper or heat-treat condition with you before machining.
Applications of CNC Punching 904L Stainless Steel
Customers order CNC Punching 904L Stainless Steel components for everything from instrumentation to structural and functional assemblies. Whether you need a single prototype or recurring production volume, the same process discipline applies.
How to Order CNC Punching 904L Stainless Steel
Getting a quote is simple. Share your model, the material grade, your quantity and target tolerances. You receive a clear quotation with lead time and honest manufacturability feedback.
Finishing Options for 904L Stainless Steel
| Finish | Thickness / effect | Why it gets specified |
|---|---|---|
| Citric passivation | — | ASTM A967 / AMS 2700, removes free iron |
| Electropolish | 5–25 µm removed | Ra improves by roughly half, hygienic surface |
| Brushed / grained | Ra 0.4–1.6 µm | No. 4 finish, directional |
| PVD coating | 2–5 µm | TiN, TiCN for wear surfaces |
| Deburr / edge break | 0.05–0.3 mm | All parts unless the drawing says otherwise |
| Bead blast | Ra 1.6–3.2 µm | Uniform matt finish, hides tool marks |
| Laser marking | — | Part number, lot code, data matrix |
No drawing yet? Build one in the browser.
Set the metal, dimensions and features, watch the 3D model update as you type, then switch to the 2D sheet to add dimensions and tolerances. Download it or send it straight to us with your RFQ.
What We Need to Quote CNC Punching 904L Stainless Steel
- GeometrySTEP or IGES for the 3D model, plus a PDF drawing if you have tolerance callouts. A dimensioned sketch is enough to start.
- MaterialThe exact 904L Stainless Steel grade and condition — temper, heat-treat state or hardness. If you are not sure, tell us the function and we will suggest one.
- QuantityPrototype count and the expected annual volume. Both change how the part is made and therefore what it costs.
- TolerancesWhich features are critical. Everything else runs to our standard tolerance, which is what keeps the price sensible.
- FinishSurface treatment, cosmetic requirements, and any faces that must be masked.
- DocumentsWhether you need a material certificate, dimensional report, FAIR or PPAP with the shipment.
Missing something from the list is not a problem — send what you have. We will come back with the specific questions rather than a generic form.
904L Stainless Steel in Other Processes
Related
Send the drawing, the 904L Stainless Steel condition and the quantity — pricing and lead time come back the same or next business day.
Request a QuoteFrequently Asked Questions
What material thickness or size range suits CNC Punching 904L Stainless Steel?
Punching suits 904L Stainless Steel sheet roughly 0.5–6 mm thick, with clearance matched to the gauge.
Does CNC Punching 904L Stainless Steel require dedicated tooling?
Punching uses programmable turret tooling; standard tools cover most patterns, with special tools added for unique forms.
Why is 904L Stainless Steel a good choice for CNC Punching?
904L Stainless Steel is corrosion resistant, strong and hygienic, which makes it well suited to CNC Punching. We tune the process to the alloy so the finished 904L Stainless Steel punching part meets your dimensional and functional requirements.
What surface finish is achievable on 904L Stainless Steel with CNC Punching?
Surface finish on 904L Stainless Steel is controlled to your specification; we confirm the achievable Ra against your callout.
What tolerances can you hold for CNC Punching 904L Stainless Steel?
Achievable tolerances for 904L Stainless Steel punching depend on the alloy, geometry and feature size. Punching holds hole-position repeatability to around ±0.10 mm. Exact figures are confirmed against your drawing callouts.