904L Pipe | 904L Stainless Steel Tubing - ASTM A213 B677 N08904 904L Manufacturer

ASME SA213 904L N08904 Stainless steel tubing is designed for harsh environments of the corrosion conditions. As the high chromium, nickel, molybdenum and copper content, 904L has excellent corrosion resistance. Such as the uniform corrosion, especially in dilute sulfuric acid.

904L Tubing 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 temperature. 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.

ASTM A213 904L N08904 Stainless Steel Chemical Composition

Table 1.Composition ranges for 904L N08904 1.4539 Stainless Steel According to ASTM A213 /ASTM A312 and EN 10216-5

904L N08904 Stainless Steel Tubes Mechanical Properties

904L N08904 Stainless Steel Physical Properties

904L Pipe 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 Stainless Steel Tubing 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.

904L Stainless Steel Pipe 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.

904L Stainless Steel Tubing Heat Treatment

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

904L Stainless Steel Tubing 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.

904L Stainless Steel Pipe 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.

904L Stainless Steel Tubing Applications

904L Pipe UNS N08904 Standard Specification

Grade	UNS No	British	British	Euronorm	Euronorm	Swedish	Japanese JIS
Grade	Grade	BS	En	No	Name	SS	JIS
904L	N08904	904S13	-	1.4539	X1NiCrMoCuN25-20-5	2562	-

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.

904L N08904 Stainless Steel Pipe Possible Alternative Grades

Grade	Why it might be chosen instead of 904L N08904
316L	A lower cost alternative, but with much lower corrosion resistance.
6Mo	A higher resistance to pitting and crevice corrosion resistance is needed.
2205	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 300°C.)
Super duplex	2507 has an higher corrosion resistance is needed, together with a higher strength than 904L.

904L Pipe, 904L Stainless Steel Tubes - ASTM A213 ASME SA 213 UNS N08094 904L Tubes

904L Stainless Steel Pipe Properties and Character