Materials / Grade-critical stainless

904L

UNS
N08904
W.Nr
1.4539
EN
X1NiCrMoCu25-20-5

A high-alloy austenitic stainless with copper added for sulphuric acid resistance, sitting between standard stainless and the nickel alloys in both performance and price.

Composition

Chemical composition limits, per cent by weight
ElementMinMax
Ni 23.0 28.0
Cr 19.0 23.0
Mo 4.0 5.0
Cu 1.0 2.0
Mn 2.0
N 0.10
C 0.020
Fe bal

Per cent by weight, to the governing standard.

Nominal composition
  • Fe47.5
  • Ni25.5
  • Cr21.0
  • Mo4.5
  • Cu1.5

Per cent by weight, at the midpoint of each specified window. Elements given only as a maximum have no midpoint to take, so they sit inside the balance rather than being estimated; trace elements below 0.5 % are not shown. Indicative only; the composition table above and the governing standard are what define the limits.

Mechanical

Tensile strength, min
490 MPa
Yield strength (0.2%), min
220 MPa
Elongation, min
35 %
Condition
Solution annealed

Standards by form

Governing standard for each product form
Plate, sheet & strip ASTM A240 / B625
Pipe & tube ASTM B673 / B677
Bar ASTM B649

Where it is specified

  • Sulphuric and phosphoric acid service
  • Good resistance to chloride pitting and stress-corrosion cracking
  • Low carbon gives good as-welded performance

Diluted on nickel, because nickel is most of what it costs

904L is the natural substitute to offer against an Incoloy 825 order, and nickel is most of what it costs, so nickel is where the dilution pressure sits. Copper below the 1.0 % floor removes the sulphuric acid resistance that is the reason to choose it.

What we specify and check

  • PMI reading nickel against the 23.0–28.0 % window
  • Copper verified against the 1.0–2.0 % window
  • Carbon verified against the 0.020 % maximum
  • Confirmation the order is 904L and not a substituted 825 requirement

We commission an accredited independent laboratory to test the heat before the material leaves China. You will receive that report unedited, whether it passes or not.

Request 904L

Tell us the form, dimensions and service conditions. We reply with availability, indicative landed price, lead time and the test regime we would specify for your application.

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