{"id":18592,"date":"2025-12-03T17:03:45","date_gmt":"2025-12-03T09:03:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/daxuns.com\/?p=18592"},"modified":"2025-12-04T13:49:16","modified_gmt":"2025-12-04T05:49:16","slug":"the-ultimate-guide-to-904l-stainless-steel","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/daxuns.com\/fr\/the-ultimate-guide-to-904l-stainless-steel\/","title":{"rendered":"The Ultimate Guide to 904L Stainless Steel"},"content":{"rendered":"
Among the many grades of stainless steel, 904L stands out for its exceptional corrosion resistance, making it a material of choice for demanding industrial environments. For engineers, procurement professionals, and project managers, a comprehensive understanding of 904L stainless steel is crucial. At Daxun Alloys Co., Ltd.,<\/b><\/strong>\u00a0we frequently receive inquiries about this high-performance material. This guide will provide an in-depth look at every aspect of 904L stainless steel.<\/p>\n
What is 904L Stainless Steel?<\/b><\/strong><\/span><\/h4>\n
904L is a highly alloyed austenitic stainless steel, often referred to as a \u201csuper-austenitic\u201d stainless steel. It was specifically designed to withstand more corrosive environments than conventional stainless steels like 304 or 316L, particularly offering superior resistance to strong acids such as sulfuric and phosphoric acid.<\/p>\n
Its main characteristics include:<\/p>\n
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<\/b>Extremely Low Carbon Content:<\/b><\/strong>With a carbon content below 0.020%, it effectively prevents intergranular corrosion after welding.<\/li>\n
<\/b>High Nickel and Molybdenum Content:<\/b><\/strong>The addition of nickel (~25%) and molybdenum (~4.5%) significantly enhances its resistance to pitting and crevice corrosion in reducing acids and chloride environments.<\/li>\n
<\/b>Excellent Acid Resistance:<\/b><\/strong>It demonstrates outstanding resistance to various concentrations of sulfuric acid, phosphoric acid, and organic acids like acetic acid, at both ambient and elevated temperatures.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Chemical Composition<\/b><\/strong><\/span><\/h4>\n
The chemical composition is the foundation of 904L\u2019s performance. The table below shows its typical composition range (per the ASTM B625 standard):<\/p>\n
Due to its outstanding properties, 904L stainless steel is widely used in the following highly demanding industries:<\/p>\n
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<\/b>Traitement chimique :<\/b><\/strong>For equipment in sulfuric, phosphoric, and acetic acid production, such as heat exchangers, reactors, distillation columns, and piping systems.<\/li>\n
<\/b>Oil and Gas:<\/b><\/strong>Used for pipelines, valves, and pressure vessels in acidic environments containing high concentrations of hydrogen sulfide (H\u2082S) and carbon dioxide (CO\u2082).<\/li>\n
<\/b>Pharmaceutical & Biotechnology:<\/b><\/strong>Its high purity and corrosion resistance make it an ideal material for equipment producing pharmaceuticals and biological products.<\/li>\n
<\/b>Pulp and Paper Industry:<\/b><\/strong>Used in digesters and bleaching towers to resist the strong corrosion of bleaching agents.<\/li>\n
<\/b>G\u00e9nie maritime :<\/b><\/strong>In some critical marine structural components to resist corrosion in high-salinity environments.<\/li>\n
<\/b>Luxury Goods:<\/b><\/strong>The famous watch brand Rolex uses 904L steel for its watch cases because it is more corrosion-resistant and achieves a better polish after finishing than 316L.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Advantages and Disadvantages<\/b><\/strong><\/span><\/h4>\n
Advantages:<\/b><\/strong><\/h6>\n
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<\/b>Superior Corrosion Resistance:<\/b><\/strong>Especially in reducing acids and chloride environments, far surpassing conventional stainless steels like 316L.<\/li>\n
<\/b>Good Weldability:<\/b><\/strong>The low carbon content prevents intergranular corrosion after welding, eliminating the need for post-weld heat treatment.<\/li>\n
<\/b>High Mechanical Strength:<\/b><\/strong>It possesses good tensile and yield strength.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Disadvantages:<\/b><\/strong><\/h6>\n
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<\/b>Higher Cost:<\/b><\/strong>Nickel and molybdenum are precious metals, making the cost of 904L significantly higher than 304 and 316L.<\/li>\n
<\/b>More Difficult to Machine:<\/b><\/strong>It has a greater tendency to work-harden than 316L, requiring more stringent cutting and forming processes.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Equivalent Grades of 904L Stainless Steel<\/b><\/strong><\/span><\/h4>\n
Propri\u00e9t\u00e9s physiques et m\u00e9caniques<\/b><\/strong><\/span><\/h4>\n
Understanding a material\u2019s physical and mechanical properties is essential for engineering design. The following are typical performance data for 904L in the solution-annealed condition:<\/p>\n
Processing of 904L Stainless Steel<\/b><\/strong><\/span><\/h4>\n
As mentioned earlier, processing 904L presents certain challenges, but they can be effectively overcome with the correct methods.<\/p>\n
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<\/b>Machining:\u00a0<\/b><\/strong>904L is prone to work hardening. It is essential to use sharp carbide tools with lower cutting speeds and higher feed rates. Simultaneously, abundant and effective coolant must be used.<\/li>\n
<\/b>Forming and Bending:\u00a0<\/b><\/strong>It requires more force than 316L. It is recommended to perform solution annealing after cold forming to relieve stress and restore corrosion resistance.<\/li>\n
<\/b>Welding:<\/b><\/strong>904L has good weldability. Filler metals like ER NiCrMo-3 or ER NiCrMo-4 are recommended. Preheating is not required, but the interpass temperature should be kept below 150\u00b0C.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
These processing challenges can be complex for many manufacturers. At\u00a0Daxun Alloys Co, Ltd.<\/b><\/strong>, we not only supply high-quality 904L raw materials but also offer professional\u00a0processing services, including cutting, forming, and welding, to help clients directly obtain parts that meet their specifications.<\/p>\n
Standard Product Specifications<\/b><\/strong><\/span><\/h4>\n
Daxun Alloys Co, Ltd.<\/b><\/strong>\u00a0supplies 904L stainless steel in various forms to meet diverse project needs. Below are some common size ranges:<\/p>\n