Glossary

Materials and construction

AISI 304 stainless steel

Also known as 304 stainless, SS 304, 18-8 stainless.

AISI 304 (sometimes called 18-8 stainless for its ~18% Cr, ~8% Ni composition) is the most widely-used austenitic stainless steel. In sonic-horn manufacture, 304 is the economy option for external mountings, brackets, accessories and parts that do not see directly corrosive flue-gas chemistry.

Why not 304 everywhere

  • Chloride pitting — 304 is vulnerable to localised pitting in chloride-bearing environments (most cement, WtE, biomass and coastal applications). AISI 316 / 316L is preferred.
  • Continuous high temperature — 304 begins to scale and lose creep strength above ~500 °C.

For external accessories — mounting brackets, support frames, weatherproof enclosure panels — 304 is cost-effective without compromising horn performance.

Related terms

Sources