904L is a non-stabilised low carbon high alloy austenitic stainless steel. The addition of copper to this grade gives it greatly improved resistance to strong reducing acids, particularly sulphuric acid. It is also highly resistant to chloride attack – both pitting / crevice corrosion and stress corrosion cracking.

This grade is non-magnetic in all conditions and has excellent weldability and formability. The austenitic structure also gives this grade excellent toughness, even down to cryogenic temperatures.

904L does have very substantial contents of the high cost ingredients nickel and molybdenum. Many of the applications in which this grade has previously performed well can now be fulfilled at lower cost by duplex stainless steel 2205 (S31803 or S32205), so it is used less commonly than in the past.

Key Properties

These properties are specified for flat rolled product (plate, sheet and coil) in ASTM B625. Similar but not necessarily identical properties are specified for other products such as pipe, tube and bar in their respective specifications.

Composition

Table 1. Composition ranges for 904L grade of stainless steels.

Mechanical Properties

Table 2. Mechanical properties of 904L grade stainless steels.

Physical Properties

Table 3. Typical physical properties for 904L grade stainless steels.

Grade Specification Comparison

Table 4. Grade specifications for 904L grade stainless steels.

Possible Alternative Grades

Table 5. Possible alternative grades to 904L stainless steel.

Corrosion Resistance

Although originally developed for its resistance to sulphuric acid it also has a very high resistance to a wide range of environments. A PRE of 35 indicates that the material has good resistance to warm sea water and other high chloride environments. High nickel content results in a much better resistance to stress corrosion cracking than the standard austenitic grades. Copper adds resistance to sulphuric and other reducing acids, particularly in the very aggressive “mid concentration” range.

In most environments 904L has a corrosion performance intermediate between the standard austenitic grade 316L and the very highly alloyed 6% molybdenum and similar “super austenitic” grades.

In aggressive nitric acid 904L has less resistance than molybdenum-free grades such as 304L and 310L.

For maximum stress corrosion cracking resistance in critical environments the steel should be solution treated after cold work.

Heat Resistance

Good resistance to oxidation, but like other highly alloyed grades suffers from structural instability (precipitation of brittle phases such as sigma) at elevated temperatures. 904L should not be used above about 400°C.

Heat Treatment

Solution Treatment (Annealing) – heat to 1090-1175°C and cool rapidly. This grade cannot be hardened by thermal treatment.

Welding

904L can be successfully welded by all standard methods. Care needs to be taken as this grade solidifies fully austenitic, so is susceptible to hot cracking, particularly in constrained weldments. No pre-heat should be used and in most cases post weld heat treatment is also not required. AS 1554.6 pre-qualifies Grade 904L rods and electrodes for welding of 904L.

Fabrication

904L is a high purity, low sulphur grade, and as such will not machine well. Despite this the grade can be machined using standard techniques.

Bending to a small radius is readily carried out. In most cases this is performed cold. Subsequent annealing is generally not required, although it should be considered if the fabrication is to be used in an environment where severe stress corrosion cracking conditions are anticipated.

Applications

Typical applications include:

•         Processing plant for sulphuric, phosphoric and acetic acids

•         Pulp and paper processing

•         Components in gas scrubbing plants

•         Seawater cooling equipment

•         Oil refinery components

•         Wires in electrostatic precipitators