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904l stainless steel VS.304L

904l stainless steel VS.304L.pdf

 

What Is 904L Stainless Steel Equivalent To?

904L stainless steel is a high-alloy, low-carbon austenitic stainless steel known for its exceptional corrosion resistance, especially in aggressive and acidic environments.

Standard Equivalent Grade
UNS N08904
EN / DIN 1.4539 / X1NiCrMoCu25-20-5
ASTM A240 / A312 / A276 / A479
ISO 904L
JIS SUS 890L

What Is the Equivalent of 304L Steel?

304L is a low-carbon version of 304 stainless steel, offering good corrosion resistance and excellent weldability.

Standard Equivalent Grade
UNS S30403
EN / DIN 1.4307 / X2CrNi18-9
ASTM A240 / A312 / A182
JIS SUS 304L

Compared to 904L, 304L is more cost-effective, but less resistant to aggressive corrosion, especially in high-chloride or reducing acid environments.

What Is the Difference Between SS304L and SS904?

Property 304L Stainless Steel 904L Stainless Steel
Chromium Content ~18% ~19.5%
Nickel Content ~8–10.5% ~23–25%
Molybdenum None ~4.5%
Copper None ~1.5%
Carbon Content ≤0.03% ≤0.02%
Corrosion Resistance Moderate Excellent (especially in acids)
Resistance to Pitting (PREN) ~18–20 ~35–39
Applications Food, construction, piping Chemical, pharmaceutical, marine
Cost Low High

904L is far superior to 304L in resisting sulfuric acid, chloride pitting, and stress corrosion cracking.

304L is ideal for general-purpose, non-aggressive environments.


What Is the Corrosion Resistance of 904L Stainless Steel?

904L offers outstanding corrosion resistance, especially in the following areas:

✅ Strong Points:

Excellent resistance to sulfuric acid, phosphoric acid, and organic acids

Superior resistance to chloride-induced pitting and crevice corrosion

Effective against stress corrosion cracking in chloride-rich environments

✅ Typical Corrosive Environments Where 904L Performs:

Heat exchangers in chemical plants

Desalination equipment

Storage tanks for acids and chlorides

Pharmaceutical reactors

Marine applications exposed to salt spray

📈 PREN (Pitting Resistance Equivalent Number):

904L: ~35–39

304L: ~18–20

This difference highlights why 904L is chosen for high-end corrosion-critical components.

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