Stainless Steel - Grade 904L

Stainless Steel - Grade 904L

Chemical Formula
Fe, <0.02% C, 19-23% Cr, 23-28% Ni, 4-5% Mo, <2.0% Mn, <1.0% Si, <0.045% P, <0.035% S, 1.0-2.0% Cu

Topics Covered
Background Key Properties Composition Mechanical Properties Physical Properties Grade Specification Comparison Possible Alternative Grades Corrosion Resistance Heat Resistance Heat Treatment Welding Fabrication Applications

Background
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.

Grade min. 904L max.

C 0.020

Mn 2.00

Si 1.00

P 0.045

S 0.035

Cr 19.0 23.0

Mo 4.0 5.0

Ni 23.0 28.0

Cu 1.0 2.0

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

Grade

Tensile Strength (MPa) min

Yield Strength 0.2% Proof (MPa) min

Elongation (% in 50mm) min

Hardness Rockwell B (HR B) Brinell (HB)

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Stainless Steel - Grade 904L

904L

490

220

35

70-90 typical

Rockwell Hardness value range is typical only; other values are specified limits.

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

Grade

Density (kg/m )
3

Elastic Modulus (GPa) 200

Mean Co-eff of Thermal Expansion (m/m/C) 0-100C 15 0-315C 0-538C -

Thermal Conductivity (W/m.K) At 20C 13 At 500C

Specific Heat 0-100C (J/kg.K) 500

Elec Resistivity (n.m) 850

904L

8000

Grade Specification Comparison

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

Grade 904L

UNS No N08904

Old British BS 904S13 En -

Euronorm No 1.4539 Name X1NiCrMoCuN25-20-5

Swedish SS 2562

Japanese JIS -

These comparisons are approximate only. The list is intended as a comparison of functionally similar materials not as a schedule of contractual equivalents. If exact equivalents are needed original specifications must be consulted.

Possible Alternative Grades

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

Grade 316L 6Mo 2205

Why it might be chosen instead of 904L A lower cost alternative, but with much lower corrosion resistance. A higher resistance to pitting and crevice corrosion resistance is needed. A very similar corrosion resistance, with the 2205 having higher mechanical strength, and at a lower cost to 904L. (2205 not suitable for temperatures above 300C.) Higher corrosion resistance is needed, together with a higher strength than 904L.

Super duplex

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 400C.
P

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Stainless Steel - Grade 904L

Heat Treatment
Solution Treatment (Annealing) - heat to 1090-1175C 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 Source: Atlas Steels Australia For more information on this source please visit Atlas Steels Australia
Date Added: Nov 7, 2001

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Atlas Specialty Metals

Atlas Specialty Metals

Lynch Road Altona North Victoria, 3025 Australia PH: 61 (3) 92729999 Fax: 61 (3) 92729965 Email: marketing@atlasmetals.com.au Visit Atlas Specialty Metals Website

Primary Activity
Material Distributor

Company Background
In 1962, Atlas established its own distribution warehouse and a wire drawing mill at Altona North, Melbourne. From this beginning the company has grown to 15 sites across Australia and New Zealand. The mill continues today as the only commercial manufacturer of high-speed steel wire, stainless steel wire and specialised bar in the region. In 1987, Atlas Steels Limited was publicly listed on the Stock Exchange of Melbourne. At this time the steel manufacturing and distribution operations of Atlas Steels (Australia) Pty Limited and the Martin Bright Steels Group were brought together. This merged entity created the largest stainless and specialty steels company in Australia and New Zealand. It stocked and processed all forms of flat, section, and tubular product. Atlas Steels Limited was acquired by Email Limited in 1995 and the distribution and manufacturing operations became a part of the Email Metals Group. Following the closure of the BHP cold rolled, stainless steel, flat products mill in Australia in 1997, a Joint Venture was formed with Ugine, France. This enterprise sought to build and operate a flat products processing service centre in Australia. The successful result was Pacific Stainless Processors (PSP) which was established in New South Wales. In 2001 a consortium of Smorgon-OneSteel, acquired Email. Since its inception in Australia over 60 years ago, Atlas Steels has grown with the stainless and specialty steels industry in Australia. It is now the largest stainless and specialty steels distribution company in Australia. As such it services a large and diverse customer base through its network of service centres and semi finished product manufacturing operations. Doing Business with Atlas Atlas, over many years of participation in the specialty steels industry, has built a level of knowledge and expertise that has not only helped to build the company to be the largest in its market but also provides the edge which enables us to offer superior customer service. We do this by providing: A comprehensive range of specialty steel products Locations in all states of Australia and New Zealand Personnel who can readily understand the specific needs of the industry
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Atlas Specialty Metals

Nationally integrated, computer-based stocking and inventory control systems Extensive global product sourcing network from reputable steel mills Warehouse personnel, systems and procedures to cater to the needs of processing and handling specialty steels A national quality system accredited to ISO9002 Trained technical support personnel and NATA-accredited laboratory; and dedicated specialty steels processing facilities. There is limited production of specialty steels in Australia and New Zealand, with the majority being imported from overseas mills. Because of this we believe it is most important that users have a high level of confidence in the product and services supplied by specialty steels stockists/distributors. Atlas has, through years of participation in the industry, established a network of reputable mill suppliers to service its customers. These mills have been chosen after a rigorous selection process based on Atlas criteria of mill adherence to strict product quality standards, history of reliable supply and support for product in the field. We at Atlas support our customers and represent our suppliers with high calibre technical personnel and laboratory facilities. Furthermore, our sales personnel are trained extensively to understand the product qualities and applications associated with specialty steels and this knowledge is used to service the requirements of our customers. Vision Atlas Distribution will be: "The Best Distributor of stainless steel and selected specialty metals." Being the best is determined by Atlas achieving: No 1 market share position in our core product groups First and preferred choice for our customers Supply alliances with the best specialty metals mills in the world A safe, stimulating and rewarding work environment for our people Top quartile returns for our owners

Number of Employees
300

Turnover
$300mil

Services
Distribution, Processing

Submission Date
September 19, 2001

Sales Contact
Mr Nick Antoniou Group Marketing Services Officer

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