904L stainless steel combines molybdenum and copper with iron for tremendously increased resistance to reducing acids like sulphuric acid. It stands up extremely well to chlorides in the environment for low pitting and crevice corrosion, as well as stress corrosion cracking.
904L Grade stainless steel is one of many stainless steel grades that can be purchased at BBN Steel.
The "L" in 904L stands for Low Carbon, specifically, that carbon added to the alloy represents .03 percent or less. This means that 904L has very good welding properties. It is also an austenitic alloy, which means that a nonmagnetic solid solution of ferric carbide or carbon in iron is used to increase corrosion resistance.
Composition Ranges of grade 904L stainless steels
| Grade |
C |
Mn |
Si |
P |
S |
Cr |
Mo |
Ni |
Cu |
| 904L |
min.
max.
|
–
0.02
|
–
2
|
–
1
|
–
0.045
|
–
0.035
|
19
23
|
4
5
|
23
28
|
1
2
|
Corrosion Resistance
The Stainless Steel Grade 904 L has excellent resistance to the warm sea-water and also resists the chloride-ion attacks. The steel can prevent stress corrosion cracking because of its high nickel content. Copper is added to the metal so that it can resist the corrosion attacks caused by the acidic environments, including those caused by sulfuric acid. The resistance of the Grade 904 L towards stress corrosion cracking can be increased by treating the alloy with a solution, after cold-working.
Heat Resistance
The Grade 904L stainless steel offers best-in-class oxidation resistance. Thermal treatment can harden the alloy.
Welding
All conventional methods can be used for welding the 904 L Grade steel. The grade does not have a requirement of “pre and post” weld-heat treatments.
Properties and Uses of 904L Stainless Steel
904L cannot be hardened by heat treatment. You can weld 904L stainless using any standard method, but it is susceptible to hot cracking. It can be machined but does not machine well.
Common applications take advantage of 904L's corrosion resistance. These include acid processing plants, pulp and paper operations, equipment for cooling seawater, oil refining, and environmental equipment.
The chemical processing industry makes extensive use of 904L stainless steel due to its broad corrosion resistance. Among 904L stainless steel suppliers, Henan BBN Steel has the largest 904L plate inventory in Florida.
