Super-austenitic stainless steel 904L 904L (UNS N08904, EN 1.4539)
Fe balance
Also known as UNS N08904, EN 1.4539, EN name X1NiCrMoCu25-20-5, AISI 904L, JIS SUS 904L, BS 904S13 · 5 more
904L (UNS N08904, EN 1.4539, sold by Outokumpu as Ultra 904L) is a super-austenitic stainless steel with about 20 percent chromium, 24 percent nickel, 4.3 percent molybdenum and 1.4 percent copper.
Evidence level
2 of 5
Lab-measured
- 0Predicted only. No one has made it, or no measurement exists.
- 1Calculated. Only calculated or predicted values from sources.
- 2Lab-measured. Measured properties with their conditions stated.
- 3Space-relevant tests. Measured in conditions relevant to space, such as vacuum or atomic oxygen.
- 4Ground-qualified. Qualified for an application on the ground.
- 5Flown or field-proven. Flight or field results exist.
Strength
> 240 MPa
Pitting
34 -
Hot strength
> 240 MPa
Recipe, share of the weight
- Fe balanceIron
- Cr 19.8%Chromium
- Ni 24.2%Nickel
- Mo 4.3%Molybdenum
- Cu 1.4%Copper
- C max 0.02Carbon
- Mn max 2Manganese
- Si max 1Silicon
Best for
Sulfuric and phosphoric acid plant, seawater condensers and heat exchangers, and pulp bleaching, in annealed sheet, plate, strip and tube, where 316L or 317L would corrode
Weakest at
Halide-containing acids and boiling magnesium or lithium chloride, where ATI's U-bend test cracked the alloy, and crevices in chloride water (ATI G-48 onset at 18 °C)
Risk at a glance
- People None found. No safety data sheet for the alloy was checked
- If it fails Moderate. Chloride stress corrosion cracking in boiling chloride
- Corrosion Moderate. In boiling 10 percent sulfuric acid, 904L corrodes at 101 mpy (2.57 mm/a), against 636 mpy (16.2 mm/a) for ATI 316.
Quick facts: 904L (UNS N08904, EN 1.4539)
| Property | Value | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Density | 7.95 to 8 g/cm³ | 2 sourced values across conditions |
| Yield strength | 220 to 270 MPa | 4 sourced values across conditions |
| Tensile strength | 490 to 730 MPa | 3 sourced values across conditions |
| Young's modulus | 190 to 195 GPa | 2 sourced values across conditions |
| Thermal conductivity | 12 W/(m·K) | 1 sourced value |
| Thermal expansion (CTE) | 15.3 to 16.5 ppm/K | 3 sourced values across conditions |
| Melting point | 1,300 to 1,390 °C | 1 sourced value |
| Specific heat | 450 J/(kg·K) | 1 sourced value |
| Electrical resistivity | 9.5e-7 Ω·m | 1 sourced value |
| Maximum service temperature | 400 °C | 1 sourced value |
What is the density of Super-austenitic stainless steel 904L?
Super-austenitic stainless steel 904L has a density of 7.95 to 8 g/cm³. The range covers 2 sourced values across the tempers, forms and test conditions the sources report; room-temperature values are used where a source states a temperature.
What is the thermal conductivity of Super-austenitic stainless steel 904L?
Super-austenitic stainless steel 904L has a thermal conductivity of 12 W/(m·K). The source and test conditions are listed in the properties table on this page.
What is the coefficient of thermal expansion of Super-austenitic stainless steel 904L?
Super-austenitic stainless steel 904L has a coefficient of thermal expansion of 15.3 to 16.5 ppm/K. The range covers 3 sourced values across the tempers, forms and test conditions the sources report; room-temperature values are used where a source states a temperature.
What is the melting point of Super-austenitic stainless steel 904L?
Super-austenitic stainless steel 904L has a melting point of 1,300 to 1,390 °C. The source and test conditions are listed in the properties table on this page.
What is the yield strength of Super-austenitic stainless steel 904L?
Super-austenitic stainless steel 904L has a yield strength of 220 to 270 MPa. The range covers 4 sourced values across the tempers, forms and test conditions the sources report; room-temperature values are used where a source states a temperature.
What are the other names and codes for Super-austenitic stainless steel 904L?
Super-austenitic stainless steel 904L is also written as UNS N08904, EN 1.4539, EN name X1NiCrMoCu25-20-5, AISI 904L, JIS SUS 904L, BS 904S13. Each code is printed in the source listed beside it in the designations table.
What is Super-austenitic stainless steel 904L used for?
Uses recorded in the sources include Seawater condensers, heat exchangers and piping; Utility scrubbers and air pollution control equipment; Sulfuric and phosphoric acid process equipment.
Why it exists
904L is a super-austenitic stainless steel. Its 20 percent chromium, 24 percent nickel and 4.3 percent molybdenum, with 1.4 percent copper, give a PRE of 34 and good resistance to sulfuric and phosphoric acids and to chloride pitting. It was developed for dilute sulfuric acid. Its minimum proof strength is 220 MPa to ASTM and 240 MPa for EN cold-rolled strip. Sold for acid plant, seawater cooling and pulp bleaching, it is a standard grade in the 904L class.
Where it's used
Seawater and desalination
Sandmeyer lists condensers, heat exchangers and piping for seawater and brackish water, and ATI lists tubesheets in seawater heat exchangers.
Acid and chemical plant
Outokumpu lists pipes, heat exchangers, tanks and reactor vessels for sulfuric acid and the chemical industry, with flanges and valves.
Air pollution control
Sandmeyer lists scrubbers for coal-fired power plants, and ATI lists utility scrubbers.
Pulp and paper bleaching
ATI says 904L suits pulp and paper bleach plant equipment where some attack is tolerable.
Recipe
Fe balance; Outokumpu typical 19.8 Cr, 24.2 Ni, 4.3 Mo, 1.4 Cu, 0.01 C (wt%); ASTM ranges 19 to 23 Cr, 23 to 28 Ni, 4 to 5 Mo, 1 to 2 Cu, max 0.02 C, 2 Mn, 1 Si (wt%)
904L is an iron-based super-austenitic stainless steel. Outokumpu's typical recipe, in weight percent, is 19.8 chromium, 24.2 nickel, 4.3 molybdenum, 1.4 copper and 0.01 carbon, with iron as the balance. The ASTM ranges are 19 to 23 chromium, 23 to 28 nickel, 4 to 5 molybdenum and 1 to 2 copper. It is solution annealed at 1060 to 1140 °C and quenched to give a fully austenitic structure.
| Ingredient | Share of the weight | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| Iron Fe | balance | Matrix of the alloy, fully austenitic after annealing. |
| Chromium Cr | 19.8% | Forms the passive film. With molybdenum and nitrogen it sets the PRE. |
| Nickel Ni | 24.2% | Stabilises austenite and gives resistance to chloride cracking and to hot caustic. |
| Molybdenum Mo | 4.3% | Adds pitting and crevice resistance; weighted 3.3 in the PRE formula. |
| Copper Cu | 1.4% | Adds resistance to reducing acids such as sulfuric and phosphoric. |
| Carbon C | max 0.02 | Kept low to limit chromium carbides in welds. |
| Manganese Mn | max 2 | Deoxidiser in the melt. |
| Silicon Si | max 1 | Deoxidiser in the melt. |
Weight shares are as printed in the sources.
What it can do
Strength
> 240 MPa
measured
Minimum proof strength is 220 MPa to ASTM B625 for plate, sheet and strip, and 240 MPa to EN 10088-2 for cold-rolled strip. Tensile strength is 490 MPa minimum to ASTM.
Acid corrosion
In wet process phosphoric acid at 60 °C, 904L corrodes at 1.2 mm/year, against more than 5 for 316L. In pickling acid at 25 °C it corrodes at 0.47 mm/year, against more than 6 for 316L.
Pitting
34 -
measured
Outokumpu gives a PRE of 34 for Ultra 904L. Its critical crevice temperature in ATI's G-48 test is 18 °C.
Hot strength
> 240 MPa
measured
Minimum proof strength (Rp0.2) at 100 °C is 205 MPa, falling to 145 MPa at 300 °C and 110 MPa at 500 °C (EN 10088-2).
How it compares
Against 316L in the same tests, 904L corrodes at 0.47 mm/year against more than 6 in pickling acid at 25 °C, and at 101 against 636 mpy in boiling 10 percent sulfuric acid. ATI's G-48 onset temperature is 18 °C for 904L against -3 °C for 316. Its minimum proof strength for plate (220 MPa, EN 10088-2) is below the 300 MPa minimum that Outokumpu prints for Ultra 254 SMO plate.
The same measurements for each material, so you can compare them. Each row names the key condition under the value; the full conditions and methods are in the numbered notes under Technical details. Other materials are shown beside it; each was measured under its own conditions, so open its page before comparing closely. Compare every grade in the family.
| Measurement | 904L (UNS N08904, EN 1.4539) | 304 (UNS S30400) | 301 (UNS S30100) | 303 (UNS S30300) | 316 (UNS S31600) | 316L (UNS S31603) | 302 | 304L (UNS S30403) | 309 | 310S (UNS S31008, EN 1.4845) | 317L | 321 | 347 | 347H | Nitronic 60 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thermal behavior and safety | |||||||||||||||
| Thermal conductivity, Ultra 904L at 20 °C | 12 W/(m·K)5 | 14 W/m.K | 16.3 W/m.K | 15 W/m°C | 14.6 W/m.K | 14.6 W/m·K | 16.2 W/(m·K) | 16.3 W/m·K | 15.6 W/m·K | 13 W/(m·K) | 14 W/(m·K) | 16.3 W/(m·K) | 16.3 W/(m·K) | 14 W/m.°C | 9 Btu/ft hr °F |
| Thermal conductivity, alloy 904L at 100 °C | 12.9 W/(m·K)6 | 14 W/m.K | 16.3 W/m.K | 15 W/m°C | 14.6 W/m.K | 14.6 W/m·K | 16.2 W/(m·K) | 16.3 W/m·K | 15.6 W/m·K | 13 W/(m·K) | 14 W/(m·K) | 16.3 W/(m·K) | 16.3 W/(m·K) | 14 W/m.°C | 9 Btu/ft hr °F |
| Thermal conductivity, alloy 904L at 200 °C | 15.2 W/(m·K)7 | 14 W/m.K | 16.3 W/m.K | 15 W/m°C | 14.6 W/m.K | 14.6 W/m·K | 16.2 W/(m·K) | 16.3 W/m·K | 15.6 W/m·K | 13 W/(m·K) | 14 W/(m·K) | 16.3 W/(m·K) | 16.3 W/(m·K) | 14 W/m.°C | 9 Btu/ft hr °F |
| Specific heat capacity, Ultra 904L at 20 °C | 450 J/(kg·K)8 | 490 J/kg.K | 500 J/kg.K | 500 J/kg°C | 450 J/kg.K | 450 J/kg °K | 500 J/kg K | 500 J/kg·K | 502 J/kg·K | 480 J/(kg·K) | 500 J/(kg·K) | 500 J/kg K | 500 J/(kg·K) | 485 J/(kg.°C) | 0.12 Btu/lb °F |
| Melting range, alloy 904L | 1300 to 1390 °C13 | 1673 K | 1399 to 1421 °C | 1455 °C | 1390 °C | 1390 °C | 1420 °C | 1399 to 1421 °C | 2550 to 2650 °F | 1410 °C | 1390 to 1440 °C | 1398 to 1446 °C | 1398 to 1446 °C | 2550 to 2635 degF | no data |
| Physical and electrical | |||||||||||||||
| Density, 904L (ASTM datasheet) | 7.95 g/cm³1 | 7.85 Mg/m3 | 8.03 g/cm³ | 7.9 kg/dm3 | 8.027 g/cm³ | 8.03 g/cm³ | 7.9 g/cm³ | 7.9 g/cm³ | 8.03 g/cm³ | 7.8 kg/dm3 | 8.027 g/cm³ | 7.92 g/cm³ | 7.96 g/cm³ | 7.98 kg/dm3 | 7.622 gm/cm³ |
| Density, Ultra 904L (EN 10088-1 values) | 8 kg/dm32 | 7.85 Mg/m3 | 8.03 g/cm³ | 7.9 kg/dm3 | 8.027 g/cm³ | 8.03 g/cm³ | 7.9 g/cm³ | 7.9 g/cm³ | 8.03 g/cm³ | 7.8 kg/dm3 | 8.027 g/cm³ | 7.92 g/cm³ | 7.96 g/cm³ | 7.98 kg/dm3 | 7.622 gm/cm³ |
| Electrical resistivity, alloy 904L at 20 °C | 95.2 µΩ·cm12 | 65 10-8 ohm.m | 72 µΩ·cm | 72 microhm-cm | 69 10-8 ohm.m | 74 μΩ·cm | 72 µΩ·cm | 72 microhm-cm | 78 µΩ·cm | 0.86 Ω·mm²/m | 475 Ohm-circ mil/ft | 72 microhm·cm | 72 µΩ·cm | no data | 98.2 microhm-cm |
| Hardness HB 30, maximum at 20 °C (EN 1.4539) | < 230 HB26 | no data | 85 HRB | < 202 HBN | < 217 HB | no data | no data | no data | no data | no data | no data | no data | < 201 HB | < 201 HB | > 85 HRB |
| Hardness Brinell, annealed, typical (ATI) | 150 HB27 | no data | 85 HRB | < 202 HBN | < 217 HB | no data | no data | no data | no data | no data | no data | no data | < 201 HB | < 201 HB | > 85 HRB |
| Temperature behavior | |||||||||||||||
| Critical crevice corrosion onset temperature, 10% ferric chloride, ASTM G-48 | 18 °C29 | no data | no data | no data | no data | no data | no data | no data | no data | no data | no data | no data | no data | no data | no data |
| Other measurements | |||||||||||||||
| Modulus of elasticity, Ultra 904L at 20 °C | 195 GPa3 | 200 GPa | 193 GPa | 193 GPa | 200 GPa | 193 GPa | 200 GPa | 200 GPa | 200 GPa | 195 GPa | 200 GPa | 193 GPa | 193 GPa | 200 GPa | 180 GPa |
| Modulus of elasticity, alloy 904L | 190 GPa4 | 200 GPa | 193 GPa | 193 GPa | 200 GPa | 193 GPa | 200 GPa | 200 GPa | 200 GPa | 195 GPa | 200 GPa | 193 GPa | 193 GPa | 200 GPa | 180 GPa |
| Mean coefficient of thermal expansion, Ultra 904L, 20 to 100 °C | 15.8 ppm/K9 | no data | 16.6 10-6/K | 16 10-6/°C | 16.5 10-6/K | 16.5 10-6 cm/cm/°C | 16.6 µm/(m·°C) | 16.6 10-6 cm/cm/°C | 15.6 µm/(m·K) | 16.5 ppm/K | 16.5 10^-6 cm/cm/°C | 16.6 ppm/K | 16.6 ppm/K | 9.2 in/in.degF x 10^-6 | 15.8 µm/m/°C |
| Mean coefficient of thermal expansion, alloy 904L, 20 to 100 °C | 15.3 ppm/K10 | no data | 16.6 10-6/K | 16 10-6/°C | 16.5 10-6/K | 16.5 10-6 cm/cm/°C | 16.6 µm/(m·°C) | 16.6 10-6 cm/cm/°C | 15.6 µm/(m·K) | 16.5 ppm/K | 16.5 10^-6 cm/cm/°C | 16.6 ppm/K | 16.6 ppm/K | 9.2 in/in.degF x 10^-6 | 15.8 µm/m/°C |
| Mean coefficient of thermal expansion, alloy 904L, 20 to 400 °C | 16.5 ppm/K11 | no data | 16.6 10-6/K | 16 10-6/°C | 16.5 10-6/K | 16.5 10-6 cm/cm/°C | 16.6 µm/(m·°C) | 16.6 10-6 cm/cm/°C | 15.6 µm/(m·K) | 16.5 ppm/K | 16.5 10^-6 cm/cm/°C | 16.6 ppm/K | 16.6 ppm/K | 9.2 in/in.degF x 10^-6 | 15.8 µm/m/°C |
| Proof strength Rp0.2, cold-rolled, minimum (EN 10088-2) | > 240 MPa14 | > 205 MPa | 205 MPa | > 172 MPa | 205 MPa | 170 MPa | 290 MPa | > 170 MPa | 290 MPa | 290 MPa | > 205 MPa | > 205 MPa | > 205 MPa | > 30 ksi | > 345 MPa |
| Proof strength Rp0.2, hot-rolled and plate, minimum (EN 10088-2) | > 220 MPa15 | > 205 MPa | 205 MPa | > 172 MPa | 205 MPa | 170 MPa | 290 MPa | > 170 MPa | 290 MPa | 290 MPa | > 205 MPa | > 205 MPa | > 205 MPa | > 30 ksi | > 345 MPa |
| Yield strength Rp0.2, annealed plate, sheet and strip, minimum (ASTM B625) | > 220 MPa16 | > 205 MPa | 205 MPa | > 172 MPa | 205 MPa | 170 MPa | 290 MPa | > 170 MPa | 290 MPa | 290 MPa | > 205 MPa | > 205 MPa | > 205 MPa | > 30 ksi | > 345 MPa |
| Yield strength Rp0.2, annealed, typical (ATI) | 270 MPa17 | > 205 MPa | 205 MPa | > 172 MPa | 205 MPa | 170 MPa | 290 MPa | > 170 MPa | 290 MPa | 290 MPa | > 205 MPa | > 205 MPa | > 205 MPa | > 30 ksi | > 345 MPa |
| Proof strength Rp0.2 at 100 °C, minimum (EN 10088-2) | > 205 MPa18 | > 205 MPa | 205 MPa | > 172 MPa | 205 MPa | 170 MPa | 290 MPa | > 170 MPa | 290 MPa | 290 MPa | > 205 MPa | > 205 MPa | > 205 MPa | > 30 ksi | > 345 MPa |
| Proof strength Rp0.2 at 300 °C, minimum (EN 10088-2) | > 145 MPa19 | > 205 MPa | 205 MPa | > 172 MPa | 205 MPa | 170 MPa | 290 MPa | > 170 MPa | 290 MPa | 290 MPa | > 205 MPa | > 205 MPa | > 205 MPa | > 30 ksi | > 345 MPa |
| Proof strength Rp0.2 at 500 °C, minimum (EN 10088-2) | > 110 MPa20 | > 205 MPa | 205 MPa | > 172 MPa | 205 MPa | 170 MPa | 290 MPa | > 170 MPa | 290 MPa | 290 MPa | > 205 MPa | > 205 MPa | > 205 MPa | > 30 ksi | > 345 MPa |
| Tensile strength Rm, cold-rolled (EN 10088-2) | 530 to 730 MPa21 | > 515 MPa | 515 MPa | > 517 MPa | 515 MPa | 485 MPa | 655 MPa | > 485 MPa | 621 MPa | 610 MPa | > 515 MPa | > 515 MPa | > 515 MPa | > 75 ksi | > 655 MPa |
| Tensile strength Rm, annealed, minimum (ASTM B625) | > 490 MPa22 | > 515 MPa | 515 MPa | > 517 MPa | 515 MPa | 485 MPa | 655 MPa | > 485 MPa | 621 MPa | 610 MPa | > 515 MPa | > 515 MPa | > 515 MPa | > 75 ksi | > 655 MPa |
| Tensile strength Rm, annealed, typical (ATI) | 605 MPa23 | > 515 MPa | 515 MPa | > 517 MPa | 515 MPa | 485 MPa | 655 MPa | > 485 MPa | 621 MPa | 610 MPa | > 515 MPa | > 515 MPa | > 515 MPa | > 75 ksi | > 655 MPa |
| Elongation A, cold-rolled and hot-rolled, minimum (EN 10088-2) | > 35 %24 | > 40 % | 40 % | > 35 % | 40 % | 40 % | 55 % | > 40 % | 49 % | 42 % | > 40 % | > 35 % | > 40 % | > 40 % | > 35 % |
| Elongation in 2 in, annealed, minimum (ASTM B625) | > 36 %25 | > 40 % | 40 % | > 35 % | 40 % | 40 % | 55 % | > 40 % | 49 % | 42 % | > 40 % | > 35 % | > 40 % | > 40 % | > 35 % |
| Pitting resistance equivalent PRE, Ultra 904L (Cr + 3.3 Mo + 16 N) | 34 -28 | no data | no data | no data | no data | no data | no data | no data | no data | no data | no data | no data | no data | no data | no data |
| Upper temperature for pressure-vessel approval | < 400 °C30 | no data | 840 °C | no data | 1023 K | no data | 925 °C | < 426 °C | 2000 °F | 1050 °C | no data | 850 °C | 800 °C | 850 °C | no data |
Why choose it, and why not
Good for
- Sulfuric and phosphoric acid plant, where Outokumpu lists pipes, heat exchangers, tanks and reactor vessels.
- Seawater condensers and heat exchangers, where Sandmeyer lists tube and piping systems.
- Pickling equipment and pulp and paper bleach plant, where ATI and Sandmeyer name the uses.
Watch out for
- Chloride cracking can occur in boiling magnesium or lithium chloride (ATI U-bend test).
- Crevices start attack at 18 °C in ATI's G-48 test, so crevice design still matters in warm chloride water.
- Acids containing halide ions can be very aggressive, and 904L may be insufficient (Sandmeyer).
- No spacecraft flight use is recorded. SpaceMat rates the space experience as limited.
904L is a strong, sound choice for sulfuric and phosphoric acid plant, seawater cooling and pulp bleaching. It resists general and pitting attack better than 316L, but it is not immune to chloride cracking in boiling chloride, or to crevice and halide attack in warm chloride service.
Technical details
For scientists and researchers. Everything above comes from the record below: every number with its method, its conditions and its source.
Other names and standards
The same grade under other systems, as datasheets and standards print them. Each code was checked against the page it comes from.
| System | Codes |
|---|---|
| UNS | N08904 |
| EN | 1.4539 |
| EN name | X1NiCrMoCu25-20-5 |
| AISI | 904L |
| JIS | SUS 904L |
| BS | 904S13 |
| ASTM | A240 (plate, sheet and strip), B625 (plate, sheet and strip), B677 (seamless pipe and tube) |
| Trade name | Ultra 904L, ATI 904L |
Notes
The method, full conditions and any caveat for the numbered rows above.
| # | Measurement | Method | Conditions | Caveat |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Density, 904L (ASTM datasheet) | Value printed in a specification sheet for alloy 904L | grade 904L (UNS N08904)temperature not stated | — |
| 2 | Density, Ultra 904L (EN 10088-1 values) | Value printed in the physical properties table of the Outokumpu Ultra range datasheet | grade Ultra 904L (EN 1.4539)temperature 20 °Cbasis EN 10088-1 table, rounded to one decimal | — |
| 3 | Modulus of elasticity, Ultra 904L at 20 °C | Value printed in the physical properties table of the Outokumpu Ultra range datasheet | grade Ultra 904L (EN 1.4539)temperature 20 °C | — |
| 4 | Modulus of elasticity, alloy 904L | Value printed in a specification sheet for alloy 904L | grade 904L (UNS N08904)temperature not stated | — |
| 5 | Thermal conductivity, Ultra 904L at 20 °C | Value printed in the physical properties table of the Outokumpu Ultra range datasheet | grade Ultra 904L (EN 1.4539)temperature 20 °C | — |
| 6 | Thermal conductivity, alloy 904L at 100 °C | Value printed in a specification sheet for alloy 904L | grade 904L (UNS N08904)temperature 100 °Cunit in source 6.8 BTU/ft h °F | — |
| 7 | Thermal conductivity, alloy 904L at 200 °C | Typical value printed in a manufacturer data sheet (ATI, 2012 edition) | grade 904L (UNS N08904)temperature 200 °Cunit in source 8.8 BTU/ft h °F | — |
| 8 | Specific heat capacity, Ultra 904L at 20 °C | Value printed in the physical properties table of the Outokumpu Ultra range datasheet | grade Ultra 904L (EN 1.4539)temperature 20 °C | — |
| 9 | Mean coefficient of thermal expansion, Ultra 904L, 20 to 100 °C | Value printed in the physical properties table of the Outokumpu Ultra range datasheet (10-6/K) | grade Ultra 904L (EN 1.4539)temperature 20 to 100 °C | — |
| 10 | Mean coefficient of thermal expansion, alloy 904L, 20 to 100 °C | Value printed in a specification sheet for alloy 904L | grade 904L (UNS N08904)temperature 20 to 100 °Cunit in source 8.5 x 10-6/°F (68 to 212 °F) | — |
| 11 | Mean coefficient of thermal expansion, alloy 904L, 20 to 400 °C | Typical value printed in a manufacturer data sheet (ATI, 2012 edition) | grade 904L (UNS N08904)temperature 20 to 400 °Cunit in source 9.2 x 10-6/°F (68 to 750 °F) | — |
| 12 | Electrical resistivity, alloy 904L at 20 °C | Value printed in a specification sheet for alloy 904L | grade 904L (UNS N08904)temperature 20 °Cunit in source 95.2 microhm-cm at 20°C | — |
| 13 | Melting range, alloy 904L | Melting range printed in a specification sheet for alloy 904L | grade 904L (UNS N08904)unit in source 2372 to 2534 °F | — |
| 14 | Proof strength Rp0.2, cold-rolled, minimum (EN 10088-2) | Minimum value printed in the mechanical properties table, EN 10088-2 basis | grade Ultra 904L (EN 1.4539)form cold-rolled coil and sheettemperature 20 °Cbasis minimum, EN 10088-2 | — |
| 15 | Proof strength Rp0.2, hot-rolled and plate, minimum (EN 10088-2) | Minimum value printed in the mechanical properties table, EN 10088-2 basis | grade Ultra 904L (EN 1.4539)form hot-rolled coil and sheet, and platetemperature 20 °Cbasis minimum, EN 10088-2 | — |
| 16 | Yield strength Rp0.2, annealed plate, sheet and strip, minimum (ASTM B625) | Minimum value printed in a specification sheet for alloy 904L | grade 904L (UNS N08904)form plate, sheet and strip, annealedtemperature 20 °Cbasis minimum, ASTM and ASME specified propertiesunit in source 31,000 psi | — |
| 17 | Yield strength Rp0.2, annealed, typical (ATI) | Typical value printed in a manufacturer data sheet (ATI, 2012 edition) | grade 904L (UNS N08904)temper annealedtemperature 20 °Cbasis typical, not a minimumunit in source 39,500 psi | — |
| 18 | Proof strength Rp0.2 at 100 °C, minimum (EN 10088-2) | Minimum value printed in the elevated temperature table | grade Ultra 904L (EN 1.4539)temperature 100 °Cbasis minimum, EN 10088-2 | — |
| 19 | Proof strength Rp0.2 at 300 °C, minimum (EN 10088-2) | Minimum value printed in the elevated temperature table | grade Ultra 904L (EN 1.4539)temperature 300 °Cbasis minimum, EN 10088-2 | — |
| 20 | Proof strength Rp0.2 at 500 °C, minimum (EN 10088-2) | Minimum value printed in the elevated temperature table | grade Ultra 904L (EN 1.4539)temperature 500 °Cbasis minimum, EN 10088-2 | — |
| 21 | Tensile strength Rm, cold-rolled (EN 10088-2) | Range printed in the mechanical properties table, EN 10088-2 basis | grade Ultra 904L (EN 1.4539)form cold-rolled coil and sheettemperature 20 °Cbasis range printed as minimum-to-maximum, EN 10088-2 | — |
| 22 | Tensile strength Rm, annealed, minimum (ASTM B625) | Minimum value printed in a specification sheet for alloy 904L | grade 904L (UNS N08904)form plate, sheet and strip, annealedtemperature 20 °Cbasis minimum, ASTM and ASME specified propertiesunit in source 71,000 psi | — |
| 23 | Tensile strength Rm, annealed, typical (ATI) | Typical value printed in a manufacturer data sheet (ATI, 2012 edition) | grade 904L (UNS N08904)temper annealedtemperature 20 °Cbasis typical, not a minimumunit in source 88,000 psi | — |
| 24 | Elongation A, cold-rolled and hot-rolled, minimum (EN 10088-2) | Minimum value printed in the mechanical properties table | grade Ultra 904L (EN 1.4539)form cold-rolled and hot-rolledtemperature 20 °Cgauge A, L0 = 5.65 times the square root of S0 (thickness 3 mm or more)basis minimum, EN 10088-2 | — |
| 25 | Elongation in 2 in, annealed, minimum (ASTM B625) | Minimum value printed in a specification sheet for alloy 904L | grade 904L (UNS N08904)form plate, sheet and strip, annealedtemperature 20 °Cgauge 2 inbasis minimum, ASTM and ASME specified properties | — |
| 26 | Hardness HB 30, maximum at 20 °C (EN 1.4539) | Maximum value printed in the mechanical properties table of the Metalcor 1.4539 datasheet | grade 1.4539 (EN)temperature 20 °Cbasis maximum | — |
| 27 | Hardness Brinell, annealed, typical (ATI) | Typical value printed in a manufacturer data sheet (ATI, 2012 edition) | grade 904L (UNS N08904)temper annealedtemperature 20 °Cbasis typical, shown for information only | — |
| 28 | Pitting resistance equivalent PRE, Ultra 904L (Cr + 3.3 Mo + 16 N) | Value printed in the PRE table of the Outokumpu Ultra range datasheet | grade Ultra 904L (EN 1.4539)basis Outokumpu typical composition, PRE = %Cr + 3.3 x %Mo + 16 x %N | — |
| 29 | Critical crevice corrosion onset temperature, 10% ferric chloride, ASTM G-48 | Onset temperature printed in a manufacturer data sheet (ATI, 2012 edition) | grade 904L (ATI)test 10% ferric chloride, ASTM G-48 (artificial crevices)unit in source 65 °F | — |
| 30 | Upper temperature for pressure-vessel approval | Value printed in the typical temperatures table of the Outokumpu Ultra range datasheet | grade Ultra 904L (EN 1.4539)basis pressure vessel approval range is -196 to +400 °C; a design code limit, not a creep or oxidation limit | — |
Corrosion and compatibility
What happens when it meets other materials and environments.
| Environment | Concern | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| Boiling sulfuric acid, 10 percent | moderate | In boiling 10 percent sulfuric acid, 904L corrodes at 101 mpy (2.57 mm/a), against 636 mpy (16.2 mm/a) for ATI 316.1 |
| Ambient and wet process phosphoric acid | low | In wet process phosphoric acid at 60 °C, 904L corrodes at 1.2 mm/year, against more than 5 mm/year for 316L.2 |
| Pickling acid, nitric and hydrofluoric | low | In a pickling acid at 25 °C, 904L corrodes at 0.47 mm/year, against more than 6 mm/year for 316L.3 |
| Fatty acid column for tall oil distillation | low | In a tall oil fatty acid column at 235 °C, 904L corrodes at 0.06 mm/year, against 0.88 mm/year for 316L.4 |
| Chloride pitting and crevices in aerated seawater | moderate | The alloy is not totally resistant to aerated seawater, but it resists pitting and crevices better than 316.5 |
| Chloride stress corrosion cracking, boiling chloride solutions | moderate | U-bend specimens cracked in boiling 42 percent magnesium chloride and 33 percent lithium chloride in 1000 hours, but not in 26 percent sodium chloride.6 |
| Intergranular attack after welding | low | In the ASTM A262 practice B ferric sulfate and sulfuric acid test, 904L corrodes at 14.2 mpy, against 35.5 mpy for 316.7 |
| Halide-containing acids | moderate | Acids with halide ions can be very aggressive, and the corrosion resistance of 904L may be insufficient.8 |
| # | Environment | Details | Test conditions |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Boiling sulfuric acid, 10 percent | ATI's laboratory table of boiling solutions gives typical rates. 904L is also rated by Sandmeyer as fully resistant to dilute sulfuric acid across the 0 to 100 percent range at up to 35 °C. | solution 10% H2SO4 (boiling)comparison ATI 316 at 636 mpybasis typical, laboratory boiling test |
| 2 | Ambient and wet process phosphoric acid | Outokumpu's wet-process test uses a 54 percent P2O5 acid with impurities. The table shows that 904L is much lower than standard 316L, though Ultra 254 SMO, at 0.05 mm/year, is lower still. | solution wet process phosphoric acid, 54% P2O5 with impuritiestemperature 60 °C |
| 3 | Pickling acid, nitric and hydrofluoric | Sandmeyer's pickling table gives the same 0.47 mm/year for 904L and more than 6 mm/year for 316L in the same acid. | solution 20% HNO3 + 4% HFtemperature 25 °C |
| 4 | Fatty acid column for tall oil distillation | Sandmeyer gives the same kind of result at 253 °C, with 0.06 mm/year for 904L and 0.29 for 317LMN. Outokumpu says the nickel content sets resistance in hot concentrated caustic. | temperature 235 °Ccomparison Supra 316L/4404 at 0.88 mm/year |
| 5 | Chloride pitting and crevices in aerated seawater | ATI says 904L suits tubesheets in seawater heat exchangers and pulp bleach plant equipment where some attack can be tolerated. Outokumpu says the risk of crevice corrosion in non-chlorinated seawater is considerably lower, and that chlorination raises the corrosion potential of the steel. | medium aerated seawatercomparison 316 has an onset of 27 °F (-3 °C) in the G-48 test |
| 6 | Chloride stress corrosion cracking, boiling chloride solutions | ATI calls 904L much better than Type 304 for chloride cracking because of its 25 percent nickel and 4.5 percent molybdenum, but says it is not completely resistant to the boiling magnesium and lithium chloride tests. | test U-bend, boiling solutions, 1000 hourssolutions 42% MgCl2, 33% LiCl, 26% NaCl |
| 7 | Intergranular attack after welding | Low carbon keeps 904L resistant to intergranular attack in the welded condition. Sandmeyer says segregation after welding is less evident in 904L than in 316L or 317LMN. | test ASTM A262 practice B, ferric sulfate-sulfuric acidcomparison ATI 316 at 35.5 mpy |
| 8 | Halide-containing acids | Sandmeyer names 317L, 317LMN and 904L together as possibly insufficient in such acids. Outokumpu says all stainless steels are sensitive to hydrofluoric, hydrochloric and fluosilicic acids. | acids hydrofluoric, hydrochloric, fluosilicic, and other halide-containing acids |
Risks and side effects
Hazards to people, what happens when a cell overheats, and how the material is handled and stored.
For people
The hazard data are PubChem records for the element nickel, chromium, molybdenum and copper, not a supplier classification of the alloy.
- Nickel
- PubChem's record for elemental nickel lists H317, H351 and H372 as statements without a percentage.
- Chromium
- PubChem's record for elemental chromium lists H317, H334 and H335.
- Copper
- PubChem's record for elemental copper lists H400 and H410.
In chloride service
Boiling chloride can crack the alloy, and crevices start attack at warm temperatures.
- Cracking
- ATI's U-bend test cracked 904L in boiling 42 percent MgCl2 and 33 percent LiCl within 1000 hours.
- Crevice
- ATI's G-48 onset for 904L is 18 °C, against -3 °C for 316.
Fabrication
Weld with low heat input and a matching or overmatched filler. Anneal after hot work.
- Welding
- Outokumpu says Ultra grades are more sensitive to hot cracking, so low heat input is needed.
- Hot work
- Hot working at 1150 to 850 °C, then a solution anneal at 1060 to 1140 °C (Outokumpu Table 8).
Test details
The original wording and numbers from the sources, for readers who want them.
Failure risks
| Failure | Trigger and consequence |
|---|---|
| Chloride stress corrosion cracking in boiling chloridemoderate severity | Boiling magnesium or lithium chloride, or hot chloride brine under tensile stressATI's U-bend test cracked 904L in boiling 42 percent MgCl2 and 33 percent LiCl within 1000 hours, so the alloy is not immune in these tests. |
| Crevice and pitting attack in chloride watermoderate severity | Crevices in chloride water above about 18 °C under the G-48 test conditionsATI gives the G-48 onset as 18 °C for 904L against 45 °C for AL-6XN. Crevices are a design limit in warm chloride water. |
| Attack by halide-containing acidsmoderate severity | Acids containing chloride or fluoride ionsSandmeyer says 904L may not be resistant enough in these acids, which can be very aggressive. |
| Higher forming loads and fast work hardeninglow severity | Cold forming, bending or pressing sheet904L is somewhat stronger than 304 and 316, so it needs higher loads to deform, and cold work hardens it quickly. |
Handling and storage
- Solution anneal at 1060 to 1140 °C and quench (Outokumpu Table 8; Sandmeyer heat treatment).
- Hot working is done at 1150 to 850 °C (Outokumpu Table 8). Sandmeyer says hot forming that ends above 1100 °C, with the whole workpiece quenched directly, may be used without a further heat treatment; otherwise a solution anneal is needed.
- Weld with low heat input. Outokumpu says the Ultra grades are more sensitive to hot cracking than conventional austenitic steels.
- Use a 20 25 5 Cu L filler. The covered electrode is 20 25 5 Cu L (ISO 3581 and 14172) and the wire is 20 25 5 Cu L (ISO 14343 and 18274). Sandmeyer gives 20 25 CuL as its filler.
- Sandmeyer says a filler of the same composition as the base metal is normal, and that welds in 904L segregate less than in 316L or 317LMN.
- Machining is harder than for 410 and 304 because of work hardening.
- Outokumpu says a post-fabrication treatment is often needed after welding to restore the surface and corrosion resistance, by brushing, blasting, grinding or pickling.
Mitigations
- For welds in corrosive media, use a more highly alloyed austenitic filler, which ATI says gives the best weld corrosion properties.
- Specify solution annealing and quenching after heavy hot work, so the material returns to its corrosion-resistant condition.
- Design out crevices in chloride water. ATI's G-48 onset of 18 °C shows that crevices can start attack at warm temperatures.
Supply and geography
How common the raw materials are and where they come from.
Nickel
World mine production 3,900,000 tons of nickel content in 2025 (estimated), with reserves above 140,000,000 tons (USGS 2026).
- Top producers (2025)
- Indonesia 66.7%, Philippines 6.9%, Russia 5.1%, New Caledonia 3.6%, Canada 3.6%, China 3.1%
- Recycling
- Nickel recovered from scrap was about 60 percent of US apparent consumption in 2025, mostly from stainless-steel scrap.
- Substitutes
- Low-nickel, duplex or ultrahigh-chromium stainless steels have been substituted for austenitic grades in construction (USGS 2026).; Titanium alloys can substitute for nickel or nickel-base alloys in corrosive environments (USGS 2026).
Chromium
World mine production 51,000 thousand metric tons of ore, gross weight, in 2025 (estimated). World resources are greater than 12 billion tons of shipping-grade chromite.
- Top producers (2025)
- South Africa 45.1%, Turkey 17.6%, Kazakhstan 13.7%, India 5.9%, Brazil 3.9%, Zimbabwe 3.9%
- Recycling
- Recycled chromium in stainless-steel scrap receipts was 21 percent of US apparent consumption in 2025.
- Substitutes
- Chromium has no substitute in stainless steel, the leading end use (USGS 2026).
Molybdenum
World mine production 260,000 metric tons of molybdenum content in 2025 (estimated). China, Chile, the United States, Peru and Mexico produce 90 percent of the total.
- Top producers (2025)
- China 37.3%, Chile 16.2%, United States 15.4%, Peru 15%, Mexico 6.5%
- Recycling
- Molybdenum is recycled from catalysts, ferrous scrap and superalloy scrap. Revert and new scrap are reused in the steel industry.
- Substitutes
- There is little substitution for molybdenum in steels and cast irons (USGS 2026).
Copper
World mine production 23,000 thousand metric tons of copper content in 2025 (estimated). The US added copper to its 2025 list of critical minerals.
- Top producers (2025)
- Chile 23%, Congo (Kinshasa) 13.9%, Peru 11.7%, China 7.8%, United States 4.3%
- Critical mineral lists
- U.S. Final 2025 List of Critical Minerals (copper added in 2025): listed
- Recycling
- Old scrap gave an estimated 160,000 tons of copper in 2025, and copper recovered from scrap was about 30 percent of US copper supply.
- Substitutes
- Aluminum substitutes for copper in several electrical and cooling uses (USGS 2026).
Documents
Datasheets, safety data sheets, papers and standards you can open.
| Document | Type | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Outokumpu: Ultra range datasheet (Ultra 904L, EN 1.4539, UNS N08904) | datasheet | 2025 |
| ATI: ATI 904L technical data sheet, version 1 (2012) | datasheet | 2012 |
| Sandmeyer Steel: Alloy 904L specification sheet (rev 02/2023) | datasheet | 2023 |
| Metalcor: 1.4539 (AISI 904 L / N08904) datasheet | datasheet | |
| SpaceMat: AISI 904L entry | database | |
| USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026: Nickel | report | 2026 |
| USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026: Chromium | report | 2026 |
| USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026: Molybdenum | report | 2026 |
| USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026: Copper | report | 2026 |
| PubChem: Nickel (CID 935), GHS classification | database | 2026 |
| PubChem: Chromium (CID 23976), GHS classification | database | 2026 |
| PubChem: Molybdenum (CID 23932), GHS classification | database | 2026 |
| PubChem: Copper (CID 23978), GHS classification | database | 2026 |
Full record
The complete spore, as stored. Free to reuse under CC-BY-4.0. Images keep the licence shown with each one.
Show the full YAML
spore: profile
id: stainless-904l
spore_version: 0.2
family: stainless-austenitic
name: Super-austenitic stainless steel 904L
abbreviation: 904L (UNS N08904, EN 1.4539)
role: corrosion-resistant austenitic alloy
category: metals
type: steels-and-stainless
summary: |
904L (UNS N08904, EN 1.4539, sold by Outokumpu as Ultra 904L) is a super-austenitic stainless steel with about 20 percent chromium, 24 percent nickel, 4.3 percent molybdenum and 1.4 percent copper. Outokumpu's typical PRE is 34. Its minimum proof strength is 220 MPa for plate, sheet and strip to ASTM, and 240 MPa for cold-rolled strip to EN 10088-2. It is annealed at 1060 to 1140 °C and quenched. It is used for sulfuric and phosphoric acid plant, utility scrubbers, seawater heat exchangers, pulp and paper bleaching and pickling equipment. No spacecraft use is recorded in the sources read.
best_for: Sulfuric and phosphoric acid plant, seawater condensers and heat exchangers, and pulp bleaching, in annealed sheet, plate, strip and tube, where 316L or 317L would corrode
weakest_at: Halide-containing acids and boiling magnesium or lithium chloride, where ATI's U-bend test cracked the alloy, and crevices in chloride water (ATI G-48 onset at 18 °C)
identity:
formula: Fe balance; Outokumpu typical 19.8 Cr, 24.2 Ni, 4.3 Mo, 1.4 Cu, 0.01 C (wt%); ASTM ranges 19 to 23 Cr, 23 to 28 Ni, 4 to 5 Mo, 1 to 2 Cu, max 0.02 C, 2 Mn, 1 Si (wt%)
source: outokumpu-ultra
where: Table 1 (chemical composition, typical values), row Ultra 904L. The ASTM ranges come from the Sandmeyer specification sheet, Chemical Analysis table.
designations:
- system: UNS
code: N08904
source: outokumpu-ultra
where: Table 1, UNS column, row Ultra 904L
- system: EN
code: '1.4539'
source: outokumpu-ultra
where: Table 1, EN column, row Ultra 904L
- system: EN name
code: X1NiCrMoCu25-20-5
source: metalcor-1-4539
where: Designation table, EN Designation row
- system: AISI
code: 904L
source: metalcor-1-4539
where: Designation table, AISI/SAE row (printed as 904 L)
- system: ASTM
code: A240
note: plate, sheet and strip
source: outokumpu-ultra
where: Table 11, ASTM A240 section, row Ultra 904L (EN 1.4539, UNS N08904)
- system: ASTM
code: B625
note: plate, sheet and strip
source: ati-904l
where: Mechanical properties, ASTM and ASME coverage table, Plate, Sheet and Strip row
- system: ASTM
code: B677
note: seamless pipe and tube
source: ati-904l
where: Mechanical properties, ASTM and ASME coverage table, Seamless Pipe and Tube row
- system: BS
code: 904S13
source: spacemat-904l
where: Equivalent Designations line, BS904S13
- system: JIS
code: SUS 904L
source: wiki-sae904l
where: Infobox, other names
- system: Trade name
code: Ultra 904L
source: outokumpu-ultra
where: Table 1 and Table 2, Outokumpu name column
- system: Trade name
code: ATI 904L
source: ati-904l
where: Title block of the ATI technical data sheet
tags:
environments: []
stresses: []
applications:
- structures
properties:
- benchmark: density
label: Density, 904L (ASTM datasheet)
value: 7.95
unit: g/cm3
scope: material
conditions:
grade: 904L (UNS N08904)
temperature: not stated
method: Value printed in a specification sheet for alloy 904L
status: ground
source: sandmeyer-904l
where: Physical Properties, Density (7.95 g/cm3)
- benchmark: density
label: Density, Ultra 904L (EN 10088-1 values)
value: 8
unit: kg/dm3
scope: material
conditions:
grade: Ultra 904L (EN 1.4539)
temperature: 20 °C
basis: EN 10088-1 table, rounded to one decimal
method: Value printed in the physical properties table of the Outokumpu Ultra range datasheet
status: ground
source: outokumpu-ultra
where: Table 13, Physical properties, Density column, row Ultra 904L
- benchmark: elastic_modulus
label: Modulus of elasticity, Ultra 904L at 20 °C
value: 195
unit: GPa
scope: material
conditions:
grade: Ultra 904L (EN 1.4539)
temperature: 20 °C
method: Value printed in the physical properties table of the Outokumpu Ultra range datasheet
status: ground
source: outokumpu-ultra
where: Table 13, Physical properties, Modulus of elasticity at 20 °C column, row Ultra 904L
- benchmark: elastic_modulus
label: Modulus of elasticity, alloy 904L
value: 190
unit: GPa
scope: material
conditions:
grade: 904L (UNS N08904)
temperature: not stated
method: Value printed in a specification sheet for alloy 904L
status: ground
source: sandmeyer-904l
where: Physical Properties, Modulus of Elasticity (190 GPa)
- benchmark: thermal_conductivity
label: Thermal conductivity, Ultra 904L at 20 °C
value: 12
unit: W/(m·K)
scope: material
conditions:
grade: Ultra 904L (EN 1.4539)
temperature: 20 °C
method: Value printed in the physical properties table of the Outokumpu Ultra range datasheet
status: ground
source: outokumpu-ultra
where: Table 13, Physical properties, Thermal conductivity at 20 °C column, row Ultra 904L
- benchmark: thermal_conductivity
label: Thermal conductivity, alloy 904L at 100 °C
value: 12.9
unit: W/(m·K)
scope: material
conditions:
grade: 904L (UNS N08904)
temperature: 100 °C
unit_in_source: 6.8 BTU/ft h °F
method: Value printed in a specification sheet for alloy 904L
status: ground
source: sandmeyer-904l
where: Physical Properties, Thermal Conductivity 212°F (100°C) row
- benchmark: thermal_conductivity
label: Thermal conductivity, alloy 904L at 200 °C
value: 15.2
unit: W/(m·K)
scope: material
conditions:
grade: 904L (UNS N08904)
temperature: 200 °C
unit_in_source: 8.8 BTU/ft h °F
method: Typical value printed in a manufacturer data sheet (ATI, 2012 edition)
status: ground
source: ati-904l
where: Physical Properties, Thermal Conductivity table, 392°F (200°C) row
- benchmark: specific_heat
label: Specific heat capacity, Ultra 904L at 20 °C
value: 450
unit: J/(kg·K)
scope: material
conditions:
grade: Ultra 904L (EN 1.4539)
temperature: 20 °C
method: Value printed in the physical properties table of the Outokumpu Ultra range datasheet
status: ground
source: outokumpu-ultra
where: Table 13, Physical properties, Thermal capacity at 20 °C column, row Ultra 904L
- benchmark: cte
label: Mean coefficient of thermal expansion, Ultra 904L, 20 to 100 °C
value: 15.8
unit: ppm/K
scope: material
conditions:
grade: Ultra 904L (EN 1.4539)
temperature: 20 to 100 °C
method: Value printed in the physical properties table of the Outokumpu Ultra range datasheet (10-6/K)
status: ground
source: outokumpu-ultra
where: Table 13, Physical properties, Coefficient of thermal expansion 20 to 100 °C column, row Ultra 904L
- benchmark: cte
label: Mean coefficient of thermal expansion, alloy 904L, 20 to 100 °C
value: 15.3
unit: ppm/K
scope: material
conditions:
grade: 904L (UNS N08904)
temperature: 20 to 100 °C
unit_in_source: 8.5 x 10-6/°F (68 to 212 °F)
method: Value printed in a specification sheet for alloy 904L
status: ground
source: sandmeyer-904l
where: Mean Coefficient of Thermal Expansion table, 20 to 100 °C row
- benchmark: cte
label: Mean coefficient of thermal expansion, alloy 904L, 20 to 400 °C
value: 16.5
unit: ppm/K
scope: material
conditions:
grade: 904L (UNS N08904)
temperature: 20 to 400 °C
unit_in_source: 9.2 x 10-6/°F (68 to 750 °F)
method: Typical value printed in a manufacturer data sheet (ATI, 2012 edition)
status: ground
source: ati-904l
where: Average Coefficient of Thermal Expansion table, 20-400°C row
- benchmark: electrical_resistivity
label: Electrical resistivity, alloy 904L at 20 °C
value: 95.2
unit: µΩ·cm
scope: material
conditions:
grade: 904L (UNS N08904)
temperature: 20 °C
unit_in_source: 95.2 microhm-cm at 20°C
method: Value printed in a specification sheet for alloy 904L
status: ground
source: sandmeyer-904l
where: Electrical Resistivity entry, 95.2 Microhm-cm at 20°C
- benchmark: melting_point
label: Melting range, alloy 904L
value: 1300
value_high: 1390
bound: range
unit: °C
scope: material
conditions:
grade: 904L (UNS N08904)
unit_in_source: 2372 to 2534 °F
method: Melting range printed in a specification sheet for alloy 904L
status: ground
source: sandmeyer-904l
where: Melting Range entry, 1300 to 1390 °C
- benchmark: yield_strength
label: Proof strength Rp0.2, cold-rolled, minimum (EN 10088-2)
value: 240
bound: lower
unit: MPa
scope: material
conditions:
grade: Ultra 904L (EN 1.4539)
form: cold-rolled coil and sheet
temperature: 20 °C
basis: minimum, EN 10088-2
method: Minimum value printed in the mechanical properties table, EN 10088-2 basis
status: ground
source: outokumpu-ultra
where: Table 10, Mechanical properties at 20 °C, Min. yield strength Rp0.2 column, row Ultra 904L, Cold rolled
- benchmark: yield_strength
label: Proof strength Rp0.2, hot-rolled and plate, minimum (EN 10088-2)
value: 220
bound: lower
unit: MPa
scope: material
conditions:
grade: Ultra 904L (EN 1.4539)
form: hot-rolled coil and sheet, and plate
temperature: 20 °C
basis: minimum, EN 10088-2
method: Minimum value printed in the mechanical properties table, EN 10088-2 basis
status: ground
source: outokumpu-ultra
where: Table 10, Mechanical properties at 20 °C, Min. yield strength Rp0.2 column, rows Ultra 904L Hot rolled and Plate
- benchmark: yield_strength
label: Yield strength Rp0.2, annealed plate, sheet and strip, minimum (ASTM B625)
value: 220
bound: lower
unit: MPa
scope: material
conditions:
grade: 904L (UNS N08904)
form: plate, sheet and strip, annealed
temperature: 20 °C
basis: minimum, ASTM and ASME specified properties
unit_in_source: 31,000 psi
method: Minimum value printed in a specification sheet for alloy 904L
status: ground
source: sandmeyer-904l
where: Mechanical properties table, Yield Strength 0.2% Offset, 31,000 psi (220 MPa) row
- benchmark: yield_strength
label: Yield strength Rp0.2, annealed, typical (ATI)
value: 270
unit: MPa
scope: material
conditions:
grade: 904L (UNS N08904)
temper: annealed
temperature: 20 °C
basis: typical, not a minimum
unit_in_source: 39,500 psi
method: Typical value printed in a manufacturer data sheet (ATI, 2012 edition)
status: ground
source: ati-904l
where: Mechanical Properties, Typical (and minimum) table, Yield Strength row, typical column
- benchmark: yield_strength
label: Proof strength Rp0.2 at 100 °C, minimum (EN 10088-2)
value: 205
bound: lower
unit: MPa
scope: material
conditions:
grade: Ultra 904L (EN 1.4539)
temperature: 100 °C
basis: minimum, EN 10088-2
method: Minimum value printed in the elevated temperature table
status: ground
source: outokumpu-ultra
where: Table 12, Mechanical properties at elevated temperatures, Proof strength Rp0.2 row, 100 °C column
- benchmark: yield_strength
label: Proof strength Rp0.2 at 300 °C, minimum (EN 10088-2)
value: 145
bound: lower
unit: MPa
scope: material
conditions:
grade: Ultra 904L (EN 1.4539)
temperature: 300 °C
basis: minimum, EN 10088-2
method: Minimum value printed in the elevated temperature table
status: ground
source: outokumpu-ultra
where: Table 12, Mechanical properties at elevated temperatures, Proof strength Rp0.2 row, 300 °C column
- benchmark: yield_strength
label: Proof strength Rp0.2 at 500 °C, minimum (EN 10088-2)
value: 110
bound: lower
unit: MPa
scope: material
conditions:
grade: Ultra 904L (EN 1.4539)
temperature: 500 °C
basis: minimum, EN 10088-2
method: Minimum value printed in the elevated temperature table
status: ground
source: outokumpu-ultra
where: Table 12, Mechanical properties at elevated temperatures, Proof strength Rp0.2 row, 500 °C column
- benchmark: ultimate_tensile_strength
label: Tensile strength Rm, cold-rolled (EN 10088-2)
value: 530
value_high: 730
bound: range
unit: MPa
scope: material
conditions:
grade: Ultra 904L (EN 1.4539)
form: cold-rolled coil and sheet
temperature: 20 °C
basis: range printed as minimum-to-maximum, EN 10088-2
method: Range printed in the mechanical properties table, EN 10088-2 basis
status: ground
source: outokumpu-ultra
where: Table 10, Mechanical properties at 20 °C, Tensile strength Rm column, row Ultra 904L, Cold rolled
- benchmark: ultimate_tensile_strength
label: Tensile strength Rm, annealed, minimum (ASTM B625)
value: 490
bound: lower
unit: MPa
scope: material
conditions:
grade: 904L (UNS N08904)
form: plate, sheet and strip, annealed
temperature: 20 °C
basis: minimum, ASTM and ASME specified properties
unit_in_source: 71,000 psi
method: Minimum value printed in a specification sheet for alloy 904L
status: ground
source: sandmeyer-904l
where: Mechanical properties table, Ultimate Tensile Strength row, 71,000 psi (490 MPa)
- benchmark: ultimate_tensile_strength
label: Tensile strength Rm, annealed, typical (ATI)
value: 605
unit: MPa
scope: material
conditions:
grade: 904L (UNS N08904)
temper: annealed
temperature: 20 °C
basis: typical, not a minimum
unit_in_source: 88,000 psi
method: Typical value printed in a manufacturer data sheet (ATI, 2012 edition)
status: ground
source: ati-904l
where: Mechanical Properties, Typical (and minimum) table, Tensile Strength row, typical column
- benchmark: elongation
label: Elongation A, cold-rolled and hot-rolled, minimum (EN 10088-2)
value: 35
bound: lower
unit: '%'
scope: material
conditions:
grade: Ultra 904L (EN 1.4539)
form: cold-rolled and hot-rolled
temperature: 20 °C
gauge: A, L0 = 5.65 times the square root of S0 (thickness 3 mm or more)
basis: minimum, EN 10088-2
method: Minimum value printed in the mechanical properties table
status: ground
source: outokumpu-ultra
where: Table 10, Mechanical properties at 20 °C, Min. elongation A column, row Ultra 904L, Cold rolled and Hot rolled
- benchmark: elongation
label: Elongation in 2 in, annealed, minimum (ASTM B625)
value: 36
bound: lower
unit: '%'
scope: material
conditions:
grade: 904L (UNS N08904)
form: plate, sheet and strip, annealed
temperature: 20 °C
gauge: 2 in
basis: minimum, ASTM and ASME specified properties
method: Minimum value printed in a specification sheet for alloy 904L
status: ground
source: sandmeyer-904l
where: Mechanical properties table, Elongation in 2 in. row, 36 % minimum
- benchmark: hardness
label: Hardness HB 30, maximum at 20 °C (EN 1.4539)
value: 230
bound: upper
unit: HB
scope: material
conditions:
grade: 1.4539 (EN)
temperature: 20 °C
basis: maximum
method: Maximum value printed in the mechanical properties table of the Metalcor 1.4539 datasheet
status: ground
source: metalcor-1-4539
where: Mechanical Properties at 20 °C table, Hardness HB 30 row
- benchmark: hardness
label: Hardness Brinell, annealed, typical (ATI)
value: 150
unit: HB
scope: material
conditions:
grade: 904L (UNS N08904)
temper: annealed
temperature: 20 °C
basis: typical, shown for information only
method: Typical value printed in a manufacturer data sheet (ATI, 2012 edition)
status: ground
source: ati-904l
where: Mechanical Properties, Typical (and minimum) table, Hardness (Brinell) row
- benchmark: pren
label: Pitting resistance equivalent PRE, Ultra 904L (Cr + 3.3 Mo + 16 N)
value: 34
unit: '-'
scope: material
conditions:
grade: Ultra 904L (EN 1.4539)
basis: Outokumpu typical composition, PRE = %Cr + 3.3 x %Mo + 16 x %N
method: Value printed in the PRE table of the Outokumpu Ultra range datasheet
status: ground
source: outokumpu-ultra
where: Table 7, PRE values, row Ultra 904L (Table 1 also prints 34)
- benchmark: critical_crevice_temperature
label: Critical crevice corrosion onset temperature, 10% ferric chloride, ASTM G-48
value: 18
unit: °C
scope: material
conditions:
grade: 904L (ATI)
test: 10% ferric chloride, ASTM G-48 (artificial crevices)
unit_in_source: 65 °F
method: Onset temperature printed in a manufacturer data sheet (ATI, 2012 edition)
status: ground
source: ati-904l
where: Pitting Corrosion section, G-48 onset table, row ATI 904L
- benchmark: max_service_temp
label: Upper temperature for pressure-vessel approval
value: 400
bound: upper
unit: °C
scope: material
conditions:
grade: Ultra 904L (EN 1.4539)
basis: pressure vessel approval range is -196 to +400 °C; a design code limit, not a creep or oxidation limit
method: Value printed in the typical temperatures table of the Outokumpu Ultra range datasheet
status: ground
source: outokumpu-ultra
where: Table 8, Typical temperatures, Pressure vessel approval column, row Ultra 904L
corrosion:
- environment: Boiling sulfuric acid, 10 percent
headline: In boiling 10 percent sulfuric acid, 904L corrodes at 101 mpy (2.57 mm/a), against 636 mpy (16.2 mm/a) for ATI 316.
effect: ATI's laboratory table of boiling solutions gives typical rates. 904L is also rated by Sandmeyer as fully resistant to dilute sulfuric acid across the 0 to 100 percent range at up to 35 °C.
rating: moderate
conditions:
solution: 10% H2SO4 (boiling)
comparison: ATI 316 at 636 mpy
basis: typical, laboratory boiling test
source: ati-904l
where: Boiling Solution table, row 10% Sulfuric Acid
- environment: Ambient and wet process phosphoric acid
headline: In wet process phosphoric acid at 60 °C, 904L corrodes at 1.2 mm/year, against more than 5 mm/year for 316L.
effect: Outokumpu's wet-process test uses a 54 percent P2O5 acid with impurities. The table shows that 904L is much lower than standard 316L, though Ultra 254 SMO, at 0.05 mm/year, is lower still.
rating: low
conditions:
solution: wet process phosphoric acid, 54% P2O5 with impurities
temperature: 60 °C
source: outokumpu-ultra
where: Table 4, Uniform corrosion in wet process phosphoric acid at 60 °C, row Ultra 904L
- environment: Pickling acid, nitric and hydrofluoric
headline: In a pickling acid at 25 °C, 904L corrodes at 0.47 mm/year, against more than 6 mm/year for 316L.
effect: Sandmeyer's pickling table gives the same 0.47 mm/year for 904L and more than 6 mm/year for 316L in the same acid.
rating: low
conditions:
solution: 20% HNO3 + 4% HF
temperature: 25 °C
source: outokumpu-ultra
where: Table 5, Uniform corrosion in pickling acid at 25 °C, row Ultra 904L
- environment: Fatty acid column for tall oil distillation
headline: In a tall oil fatty acid column at 235 °C, 904L corrodes at 0.06 mm/year, against 0.88 mm/year for 316L.
effect: Sandmeyer gives the same kind of result at 253 °C, with 0.06 mm/year for 904L and 0.29 for 317LMN. Outokumpu says the nickel content sets resistance in hot concentrated caustic.
rating: low
conditions:
temperature: 235 °C
comparison: Supra 316L/4404 at 0.88 mm/year
source: outokumpu-ultra
where: Table 6, Corrosion rates in a fatty acid column, row Ultra 904L
- environment: Chloride pitting and crevices in aerated seawater
headline: The alloy is not totally resistant to aerated seawater, but it resists pitting and crevices better than 316.
effect: ATI says 904L suits tubesheets in seawater heat exchangers and pulp bleach plant equipment where some attack can be tolerated. Outokumpu says the risk of crevice corrosion in non-chlorinated seawater is considerably lower, and that chlorination raises the corrosion potential of the steel.
rating: moderate
conditions:
medium: aerated seawater
comparison: 316 has an onset of 27 °F (-3 °C) in the G-48 test
source: ati-904l
where: Pitting Corrosion section, first and second paragraphs
- environment: Chloride stress corrosion cracking, boiling chloride solutions
headline: U-bend specimens cracked in boiling 42 percent magnesium chloride and 33 percent lithium chloride in 1000 hours, but not in 26 percent sodium chloride.
effect: ATI calls 904L much better than Type 304 for chloride cracking because of its 25 percent nickel and 4.5 percent molybdenum, but says it is not completely resistant to the boiling magnesium and lithium chloride tests.
rating: moderate
conditions:
test: U-bend, boiling solutions, 1000 hours
solutions: 42% MgCl2, 33% LiCl, 26% NaCl
source: ati-904l
where: Chloride Stress Corrosion Cracking section, Performance Using U-Bend Samples table
- environment: Intergranular attack after welding
headline: In the ASTM A262 practice B ferric sulfate and sulfuric acid test, 904L corrodes at 14.2 mpy, against 35.5 mpy for 316.
effect: Low carbon keeps 904L resistant to intergranular attack in the welded condition. Sandmeyer says segregation after welding is less evident in 904L than in 316L or 317LMN.
rating: low
conditions:
test: ASTM A262 practice B, ferric sulfate-sulfuric acid
comparison: ATI 316 at 35.5 mpy
source: ati-904l
where: Intergranular Corrosion Resistance table, Ferric Sulfate-Sulfuric Acid row
- environment: Halide-containing acids
headline: Acids with halide ions can be very aggressive, and the corrosion resistance of 904L may be insufficient.
effect: Sandmeyer names 317L, 317LMN and 904L together as possibly insufficient in such acids. Outokumpu says all stainless steels are sensitive to hydrofluoric, hydrochloric and fluosilicic acids.
rating: moderate
conditions:
acids: hydrofluoric, hydrochloric, fluosilicic, and other halide-containing acids
source: sandmeyer-904l
where: Corrosion Resistance section, first paragraph
risks:
hazards:
- text: PubChem's GHS record for elemental nickel lists H317, H351 and H372 as statements without a percentage. These describe the element, not the alloy.
ghs:
- H317
- H351
- H372
source: pubchem-nickel
where: GHS Classification, Hazard Statements list (CID 935)
- text: PubChem's GHS record for elemental chromium lists H317, H334 and H335 as statements without a percentage. These describe the element, not the alloy.
ghs:
- H317
- H334
- H335
source: pubchem-chromium
where: GHS Classification, Hazard Statements list (CID 23976)
- text: PubChem's GHS record for elemental molybdenum lists H315, H319 and H335 as statements without a percentage. These describe the element, not the alloy.
ghs:
- H315
- H319
- H335
source: pubchem-molybdenum
where: GHS Classification, Hazard Statements list (CID 23932)
- text: PubChem's GHS record for elemental copper lists H400 and H410 as statements without a percentage. These describe the element, not the alloy.
ghs:
- H400
- H410
source: pubchem-copper
where: GHS Classification, Hazard Statements list (CID 23978)
failure_risks:
- mode: Chloride stress corrosion cracking in boiling chloride
trigger: Boiling magnesium or lithium chloride, or hot chloride brine under tensile stress
consequence: ATI's U-bend test cracked 904L in boiling 42 percent MgCl2 and 33 percent LiCl within 1000 hours, so the alloy is not immune in these tests.
severity: moderate
source: ati-904l
where: Chloride Stress Corrosion Cracking section, U-bend table
- mode: Crevice and pitting attack in chloride water
trigger: Crevices in chloride water above about 18 °C under the G-48 test conditions
consequence: ATI gives the G-48 onset as 18 °C for 904L against 45 °C for AL-6XN. Crevices are a design limit in warm chloride water.
severity: moderate
source: ati-904l
where: Pitting Corrosion section, G-48 onset table
- mode: Attack by halide-containing acids
trigger: Acids containing chloride or fluoride ions
consequence: Sandmeyer says 904L may not be resistant enough in these acids, which can be very aggressive.
severity: moderate
source: sandmeyer-904l
where: Corrosion Resistance section, first paragraph
- mode: Higher forming loads and fast work hardening
trigger: Cold forming, bending or pressing sheet
consequence: 904L is somewhat stronger than 304 and 316, so it needs higher loads to deform, and cold work hardens it quickly.
severity: low
source: ati-904l
where: Formability section
side_effects: []
handling:
- text: Solution anneal at 1060 to 1140 °C and quench (Outokumpu Table 8; Sandmeyer heat treatment).
source: outokumpu-ultra
where: Table 8, Solution annealing column, row Ultra 904L
- text: Hot working is done at 1150 to 850 °C (Outokumpu Table 8). Sandmeyer says hot forming that ends above 1100 °C, with the whole workpiece quenched directly, may be used without a further heat treatment; otherwise a solution anneal is needed.
source: sandmeyer-904l
where: Hot Forming section
- text: Weld with low heat input. Outokumpu says the Ultra grades are more sensitive to hot cracking than conventional austenitic steels.
source: outokumpu-ultra
where: Welding section
- text: Use a 20 25 5 Cu L filler. The covered electrode is 20 25 5 Cu L (ISO 3581 and 14172) and the wire is 20 25 5 Cu L (ISO 14343 and 18274). Sandmeyer gives 20 25 CuL as its filler.
source: outokumpu-ultra
where: Table 9, Welding consumables, row Ultra 904L
- text: Sandmeyer says a filler of the same composition as the base metal is normal, and that welds in 904L segregate less than in 316L or 317LMN.
source: sandmeyer-904l
where: Welding section
- text: Machining is harder than for 410 and 304 because of work hardening.
source: sandmeyer-904l
where: Machining section
- text: Outokumpu says a post-fabrication treatment is often needed after welding to restore the surface and corrosion resistance, by brushing, blasting, grinding or pickling.
source: outokumpu-ultra
where: Welding section, post-fabrication treatment paragraph
mitigations:
- text: For welds in corrosive media, use a more highly alloyed austenitic filler, which ATI says gives the best weld corrosion properties.
source: ati-904l
where: Weldability section
- text: Specify solution annealing and quenching after heavy hot work, so the material returns to its corrosion-resistant condition.
source: outokumpu-ultra
where: Table 8, Solution annealing column
- text: Design out crevices in chloride water. ATI's G-48 onset of 18 °C shows that crevices can start attack at warm temperatures.
source: ati-904l
where: Pitting Corrosion section, G-48 table
uses:
- application: structures
device: Seawater condensers, heat exchangers and piping
example: Sandmeyer lists condensers, heat exchangers and piping systems for seawater and brackish water. ATI lists tubesheets in seawater heat exchangers.
source: sandmeyer-904l
where: Applications list, Seawater and Brackish Water item
- application: structures
device: Utility scrubbers and air pollution control equipment
example: Sandmeyer lists scrubbers for coal-fired power plants, and ATI lists utility scrubbers among its service environments.
source: sandmeyer-904l
where: Applications list, Air Pollution Control item
- application: structures
device: Sulfuric and phosphoric acid process equipment
example: Outokumpu lists pipes, heat exchangers, tanks and reactor vessels for chemical and petrochemical industry, plus sulfuric acid handling, flanges and valves.
source: outokumpu-ultra
where: Table 2, Key Ultra grades, Ultra 904L row, Typical applications column
- application: structures
device: Pulp and paper bleach plant equipment
example: ATI says 904L suits pulp and paper bleach plant equipment where resistance above that of 316 is wanted, though some attack can be tolerated.
source: ati-904l
where: Pitting Corrosion section
- application: structures
device: Pickling equipment using sulfuric acid
example: Sandmeyer lists pickling equipment that uses sulfuric acid among its applications.
source: sandmeyer-904l
where: Applications list, Metallurgical Processing item
- application: structures
device: Offshore process equipment for oil and gas production
example: Sandmeyer lists offshore process equipment in its oil and gas production application.
source: sandmeyer-904l
where: Applications list, Oil and Gas Production item
- application: structures
device: Pharmaceutical process equipment
example: Sandmeyer lists process equipment for the pharmaceutical industry.
source: sandmeyer-904l
where: Applications list, Pharmaceutical Industry item
supply:
- subject: Nickel
abundance: World mine production 3,900,000 tons of nickel content in 2025 (estimated), with reserves above 140,000,000 tons (USGS 2026).
producers:
- country: Indonesia
share_percent: 66.7
year: 2025
- country: Philippines
share_percent: 6.9
year: 2025
- country: Russia
share_percent: 5.1
year: 2025
- country: New Caledonia
share_percent: 3.6
year: 2025
- country: Canada
share_percent: 3.6
year: 2025
- country: China
share_percent: 3.1
year: 2025
critical_lists: []
recycling: Nickel recovered from scrap was about 60 percent of US apparent consumption in 2025, mostly from stainless-steel scrap.
substitutes:
- Low-nickel, duplex or ultrahigh-chromium stainless steels have been substituted for austenitic grades in construction (USGS 2026).
- Titanium alloys can substitute for nickel or nickel-base alloys in corrosive environments (USGS 2026).
source: usgs-nickel-2026
where: World Mine Production and Reserves table, 2025e column (shares calculated from printed tonnages); Salient Statistics; Recycling; Substitutes
- subject: Chromium
abundance: World mine production 51,000 thousand metric tons of ore, gross weight, in 2025 (estimated). World resources are greater than 12 billion tons of shipping-grade chromite.
producers:
- country: South Africa
share_percent: 45.1
year: 2025
- country: Turkey
share_percent: 17.6
year: 2025
- country: Kazakhstan
share_percent: 13.7
year: 2025
- country: India
share_percent: 5.9
year: 2025
- country: Brazil
share_percent: 3.9
year: 2025
- country: Zimbabwe
share_percent: 3.9
year: 2025
critical_lists: []
recycling: Recycled chromium in stainless-steel scrap receipts was 21 percent of US apparent consumption in 2025.
substitutes:
- Chromium has no substitute in stainless steel, the leading end use (USGS 2026).
source: usgs-chromium-2026
where: World Mine Production and Reserves table, 2025e column (shares calculated from printed tonnages); World Resources; Salient Statistics; Import Sources; Substitutes
- subject: Molybdenum
abundance: World mine production 260,000 metric tons of molybdenum content in 2025 (estimated). China, Chile, the United States, Peru and Mexico produce 90 percent of the total.
producers:
- country: China
share_percent: 37.3
year: 2025
- country: Chile
share_percent: 16.2
year: 2025
- country: United States
share_percent: 15.4
year: 2025
- country: Peru
share_percent: 15
year: 2025
- country: Mexico
share_percent: 6.5
year: 2025
critical_lists: []
recycling: Molybdenum is recycled from catalysts, ferrous scrap and superalloy scrap. Revert and new scrap are reused in the steel industry.
substitutes:
- There is little substitution for molybdenum in steels and cast irons (USGS 2026).
source: usgs-molybdenum-2026
where: World Mine Production and Reserves table, 2025e column (shares calculated from printed tonnages); Events, Trends, and Issues; Recycling; Substitutes
- subject: Copper
abundance: World mine production 23,000 thousand metric tons of copper content in 2025 (estimated). The US added copper to its 2025 list of critical minerals.
producers:
- country: Chile
share_percent: 23
year: 2025
- country: Congo (Kinshasa)
share_percent: 13.9
year: 2025
- country: Peru
share_percent: 11.7
year: 2025
- country: China
share_percent: 7.8
year: 2025
- country: United States
share_percent: 4.3
year: 2025
critical_lists:
- list: U.S. Final 2025 List of Critical Minerals (copper added in 2025)
listed: true
recycling: Old scrap gave an estimated 160,000 tons of copper in 2025, and copper recovered from scrap was about 30 percent of US copper supply.
substitutes:
- Aluminum substitutes for copper in several electrical and cooling uses (USGS 2026).
source: usgs-copper-2026
where: World Mine and Refinery Production table, 2025e column (shares calculated from printed tonnages); Critical Minerals paragraph; Recycling; Substitutes
media: []
documents:
- title: 'Outokumpu: Ultra range datasheet (Ultra 904L, EN 1.4539, UNS N08904)'
type: datasheet
url: https://www.outokumpu.com/-/media/files/products/ultra/outokumpu_ultra_range_datasheet.pdf?revision=5e1844a6-f25c-49d4-b15b-3d84c47c9c31&modified=20250120090629
year: 2025
- title: 'ATI: ATI 904L technical data sheet, version 1 (2012)'
type: datasheet
url: https://www.atimaterials.com/Products/Documents/datasheets/stainless-specialty-steel/superaustenitic/ati_904l_tds_en_v1.pdf
year: 2012
- title: 'Sandmeyer Steel: Alloy 904L specification sheet (rev 02/2023)'
type: datasheet
url: https://www.sandmeyersteel.com/wp-content/uploads/Alloy904L-SpecSheet.pdf
year: 2023
- title: 'Metalcor: 1.4539 (AISI 904 L / N08904) datasheet'
type: datasheet
url: http://www.metalcor.de/en/datenblatt/32/
- title: 'SpaceMat: AISI 904L entry'
type: database
url: https://www.spacematdb.com/spacemat/datasearch.php?name=AISI+904L
- title: 'USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026: Nickel'
type: report
url: https://pubs.usgs.gov/periodicals/mcs2026/mcs2026-nickel.pdf
year: 2026
- title: 'USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026: Chromium'
type: report
url: https://pubs.usgs.gov/periodicals/mcs2026/mcs2026-chromium.pdf
year: 2026
- title: 'USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026: Molybdenum'
type: report
url: https://pubs.usgs.gov/periodicals/mcs2026/mcs2026-molybdenum.pdf
year: 2026
- title: 'USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026: Copper'
type: report
url: https://pubs.usgs.gov/periodicals/mcs2026/mcs2026-copper.pdf
year: 2026
- title: 'PubChem: Nickel (CID 935), GHS classification'
type: database
url: https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/rest/pug_view/data/compound/935/JSON
year: 2026
- title: 'PubChem: Chromium (CID 23976), GHS classification'
type: database
url: https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/rest/pug_view/data/compound/23976/JSON
year: 2026
- title: 'PubChem: Molybdenum (CID 23932), GHS classification'
type: database
url: https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/rest/pug_view/data/compound/23932/JSON
year: 2026
- title: 'PubChem: Copper (CID 23978), GHS classification'
type: database
url: https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/rest/pug_view/data/compound/23978/JSON
year: 2026
gaps:
- No spacecraft, rocket or satellite use is recorded. SpaceMat rates the space experience of AISI 904L as "Limited" and names no flight, mission, outgassing or atomic-oxygen data, so tags.environments is empty and no space use is listed.
- Mechanical values differ by standard and product form. Outokumpu gives EN 10088-2 minima, the Sandmeyer sheet gives ASTM B625 minima, and the ATI values are typical (2012 edition). Each property states its basis in conditions.
- The EN 1.4539 composition in the Metalcor datasheet has narrower ranges than the ASTM ranges (19 to 21 Cr, 24 to 26 Ni, 4 to 5 Mo, 1.2 to 2.0 Cu, 0.02 max C). Only the ASTM ranges are quoted in identity.formula.
- The SpaceMat page prints the EN name as X1NiCrMoCuN25-20-5. Only the Metalcor form, X1NiCrMoCu25-20-5, is listed as a designation.
- Outokumpu Figures 8, 9 and 11 (critical pitting temperature, critical crevice temperature and drop-evaporation threshold) are graphs with no printed values, so no values are taken from them.
- Impact energy, fatigue strength and Poisson's ratio have no printed numbers in the sources used. ATI describes the impact behaviour only as excellent at sub-zero temperatures.
- The ATI sheet is the 2012 version. Its corrosion and physical values are typical, not minimum or maximum values.
- A tube supplier's page (Finetubes) gives a maximum service temperature of 450 °C. It is not used, because no basis is printed, and Outokumpu's pressure-vessel range is 400 °C.
- Supply shares are calculated from the 2025 estimated mine-production tonnages in each USGS table. They are mine output only, not refining or smelting.
- The US critical-minerals status is recorded only for copper, which the USGS copper summary says was added in the 2025 list. The 2026 nickel, chromium and molybdenum summaries do not state their status, so their critical_lists are empty.
- Hazard statements are PubChem element records for nickel, chromium, molybdenum and copper, taken from the statements that appear without a percentage. No safety data sheet for the alloy was checked.
- Critical pitting temperature and the ASTM G-48 method for Ultra 904L have no printed value in the Outokumpu datasheet, so only the ATI G-48 onset is recorded.
sources:
outokumpu-ultra:
title: 'Outokumpu: Ultra range datasheet (Ultra 904L, EN 1.4539, UNS N08904)'
id: Outokumpu Ultra range datasheet, outokumpu.com/ultra
url: https://www.outokumpu.com/-/media/files/products/ultra/outokumpu_ultra_range_datasheet.pdf?revision=5e1844a6-f25c-49d4-b15b-3d84c47c9c31&modified=20250120090629
kind: datasheet
year: 2025
license: cited, not reproduced
ati-904l:
title: 'ATI: ATI 904L technical data sheet, version 1 (2012)'
id: ATI 904L TDS, version 1, 4/18/2012
url: https://www.atimaterials.com/Products/Documents/datasheets/stainless-specialty-steel/superaustenitic/ati_904l_tds_en_v1.pdf
kind: datasheet
year: 2012
license: cited, not reproduced
sandmeyer-904l:
title: 'Sandmeyer Steel: Alloy 904L specification sheet (rev 02/2023)'
id: Alloy 904L 11/2014, rev 02/2023
url: https://www.sandmeyersteel.com/wp-content/uploads/Alloy904L-SpecSheet.pdf
kind: datasheet
year: 2023
license: cited, not reproduced
metalcor-1-4539:
title: 'Metalcor: 1.4539 (AISI 904 L / N08904) datasheet'
id: Metalcor datasheet 32
url: http://www.metalcor.de/en/datenblatt/32/
kind: datasheet
license: cited, not reproduced
wiki-sae904l:
title: 'Wikipedia: SAE 904L stainless steel'
id: SAE 904L stainless steel
url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SAE_904L_stainless_steel
kind: web
license: CC BY-SA 4.0 (cited, not reproduced)
spacemat-904l:
title: 'SpaceMat: AISI 904L entry'
id: SpaceMat AISI 904L
url: https://www.spacematdb.com/spacemat/datasearch.php?name=AISI+904L
kind: database
license: cited, not reproduced
usgs-nickel-2026:
title: 'USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026: Nickel'
id: mcs2026-nickel
url: https://pubs.usgs.gov/periodicals/mcs2026/mcs2026-nickel.pdf
kind: report
year: 2026
license: public domain
usgs-chromium-2026:
title: 'USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026: Chromium'
id: mcs2026-chromium
url: https://pubs.usgs.gov/periodicals/mcs2026/mcs2026-chromium.pdf
kind: report
year: 2026
license: public domain
usgs-molybdenum-2026:
title: 'USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026: Molybdenum'
id: mcs2026-molybdenum
url: https://pubs.usgs.gov/periodicals/mcs2026/mcs2026-molybdenum.pdf
kind: report
year: 2026
license: public domain
usgs-copper-2026:
title: 'USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026: Copper'
id: mcs2026-copper
url: https://pubs.usgs.gov/periodicals/mcs2026/mcs2026-copper.pdf
kind: report
year: 2026
license: public domain
pubchem-nickel:
title: 'PubChem: Nickel (CID 935), GHS classification'
id: CID 935
url: https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/rest/pug_view/data/compound/935/JSON
kind: database
license: PubChem terms (public)
pubchem-chromium:
title: 'PubChem: Chromium (CID 23976), GHS classification'
id: CID 23976
url: https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/rest/pug_view/data/compound/23976/JSON
kind: database
license: PubChem terms (public)
pubchem-molybdenum:
title: 'PubChem: Molybdenum (CID 23932), GHS classification'
id: CID 23932
url: https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/rest/pug_view/data/compound/23932/JSON
kind: database
license: PubChem terms (public)
pubchem-copper:
title: 'PubChem: Copper (CID 23978), GHS classification'
id: CID 23978
url: https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/rest/pug_view/data/compound/23978/JSON
kind: database
license: PubChem terms (public)
license: CC-BY-4.0
updated: '2026-10-26'
review:
status: draft
method: assistant
checked_values: 30
unreachable: 0
caveats: 4
note: 'Read by an AI assistant on 2026-10-26 from pages fetched in this run: Outokumpu Ultra range datasheet (PDF), ATI 904L technical data sheet (PDF, 2012), Sandmeyer Steel Alloy 904L specification sheet (PDF), Metalcor 1.4539 datasheet, Wikipedia SAE 904L article, SpaceMat AISI 904L entry, USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026 for nickel, chromium, molybdenum and copper, and PubChem GHS records for nickel, chromium, molybdenum and copper. Each value carries its product form, temperature and basis in conditions.'
story:
why: 904L is a super-austenitic stainless steel. Its 20 percent chromium, 24 percent nickel and 4.3 percent molybdenum, with 1.4 percent copper, give a PRE of 34 and good resistance to sulfuric and phosphoric acids and to chloride pitting. It was developed for dilute sulfuric acid. Its minimum proof strength is 220 MPa to ASTM and 240 MPa for EN cold-rolled strip. Sold for acid plant, seawater cooling and pulp bleaching, it is a standard grade in the 904L class.
uses:
- where: Seawater and desalination
line: Sandmeyer lists condensers, heat exchangers and piping for seawater and brackish water, and ATI lists tubesheets in seawater heat exchangers.
- where: Acid and chemical plant
line: Outokumpu lists pipes, heat exchangers, tanks and reactor vessels for sulfuric acid and the chemical industry, with flanges and valves.
- where: Air pollution control
line: Sandmeyer lists scrubbers for coal-fired power plants, and ATI lists utility scrubbers.
- where: Pulp and paper bleaching
line: ATI says 904L suits pulp and paper bleach plant equipment where some attack is tolerable.
can_do:
- label: Strength
benchmark: yield_strength
line: Minimum proof strength is 220 MPa to ASTM B625 for plate, sheet and strip, and 240 MPa to EN 10088-2 for cold-rolled strip. Tensile strength is 490 MPa minimum to ASTM.
- label: Acid corrosion
benchmark: corrosion_rate
line: In wet process phosphoric acid at 60 °C, 904L corrodes at 1.2 mm/year, against more than 5 for 316L. In pickling acid at 25 °C it corrodes at 0.47 mm/year, against more than 6 for 316L.
- label: Pitting
benchmark: pren
line: Outokumpu gives a PRE of 34 for Ultra 904L. Its critical crevice temperature in ATI's G-48 test is 18 °C.
- label: Hot strength
benchmark: yield_strength
line: Minimum proof strength (Rp0.2) at 100 °C is 205 MPa, falling to 145 MPa at 300 °C and 110 MPa at 500 °C (EN 10088-2).
compare: Against 316L in the same tests, 904L corrodes at 0.47 mm/year against more than 6 in pickling acid at 25 °C, and at 101 against 636 mpy in boiling 10 percent sulfuric acid. ATI's G-48 onset temperature is 18 °C for 904L against -3 °C for 316. Its minimum proof strength for plate (220 MPa, EN 10088-2) is below the 300 MPa minimum that Outokumpu prints for Ultra 254 SMO plate.
compare_rows:
- label: Proof strength (Rp0.2, minimum)
benchmark: yield_strength
- label: Tensile strength (Rm, minimum)
benchmark: ultimate_tensile_strength
- label: Pitting resistance (PRE)
benchmark: pren
handling:
- Anneal at 1060 to 1140 °C and quench (Outokumpu Table 8; Sandmeyer hot forming).
- Weld with low heat input and a 20 25 5 Cu L filler (Outokumpu Table 9). Sandmeyer says the same-composition filler is normal.
- Machining is harder than for 304 or 410 because of work hardening (Sandmeyer).
good_for:
- Sulfuric and phosphoric acid plant, where Outokumpu lists pipes, heat exchangers, tanks and reactor vessels.
- Seawater condensers and heat exchangers, where Sandmeyer lists tube and piping systems.
- Pickling equipment and pulp and paper bleach plant, where ATI and Sandmeyer name the uses.
watch_out:
- Chloride cracking can occur in boiling magnesium or lithium chloride (ATI U-bend test).
- Crevices start attack at 18 °C in ATI's G-48 test, so crevice design still matters in warm chloride water.
- Acids containing halide ions can be very aggressive, and 904L may be insufficient (Sandmeyer).
- No spacecraft flight use is recorded. SpaceMat rates the space experience as limited.
verdict: 904L is a strong, sound choice for sulfuric and phosphoric acid plant, seawater cooling and pulp bleaching. It resists general and pitting attack better than 316L, but it is not immune to chloride cracking in boiling chloride, or to crevice and halide attack in warm chloride service.
recipe:
line: 904L is an iron-based super-austenitic stainless steel. Outokumpu's typical recipe, in weight percent, is 19.8 chromium, 24.2 nickel, 4.3 molybdenum, 1.4 copper and 0.01 carbon, with iron as the balance. The ASTM ranges are 19 to 23 chromium, 23 to 28 nickel, 4 to 5 molybdenum and 1 to 2 copper. It is solution annealed at 1060 to 1140 °C and quenched to give a fully austenitic structure.
parts:
- name: Iron
symbol: Fe
share_note: balance
role: Matrix of the alloy, fully austenitic after annealing.
- name: Chromium
symbol: Cr
share_percent: 19.8
role: Forms the passive film. With molybdenum and nitrogen it sets the PRE.
source: outokumpu-ultra
where: Table 1, chemical composition, row Ultra 904L
- name: Nickel
symbol: Ni
share_percent: 24.2
role: Stabilises austenite and gives resistance to chloride cracking and to hot caustic.
source: outokumpu-ultra
where: Table 1, chemical composition, row Ultra 904L
- name: Molybdenum
symbol: Mo
share_percent: 4.3
role: Adds pitting and crevice resistance; weighted 3.3 in the PRE formula.
source: outokumpu-ultra
where: Table 1, chemical composition, row Ultra 904L
- name: Copper
symbol: Cu
share_percent: 1.4
role: Adds resistance to reducing acids such as sulfuric and phosphoric.
source: outokumpu-ultra
where: Table 1, chemical composition, row Ultra 904L
- name: Carbon
symbol: C
share_note: max 0.02
role: Kept low to limit chromium carbides in welds.
source: sandmeyer-904l
where: Chemical Analysis table, Carbon maximum
- name: Manganese
symbol: Mn
share_note: max 2
role: Deoxidiser in the melt.
source: sandmeyer-904l
where: Chemical Analysis table, Manganese maximum
- name: Silicon
symbol: Si
share_note: max 1
role: Deoxidiser in the melt.
source: sandmeyer-904l
where: Chemical Analysis table, Silicon maximum
risk_groups:
- title: For people
level: 0
verdict: No safety data sheet for the alloy was checked
lead: The hazard data are PubChem records for the element nickel, chromium, molybdenum and copper, not a supplier classification of the alloy.
points:
- label: Nickel
line: PubChem's record for elemental nickel lists H317, H351 and H372 as statements without a percentage.
- label: Chromium
line: PubChem's record for elemental chromium lists H317, H334 and H335.
- label: Copper
line: PubChem's record for elemental copper lists H400 and H410.
- title: In chloride service
level: 1
verdict: Chloride cracking and crevices are the watch points
lead: Boiling chloride can crack the alloy, and crevices start attack at warm temperatures.
points:
- label: Cracking
line: ATI's U-bend test cracked 904L in boiling 42 percent MgCl2 and 33 percent LiCl within 1000 hours.
- label: Crevice
line: ATI's G-48 onset for 904L is 18 °C, against -3 °C for 316.
- title: Fabrication
level: 0
verdict: Low heat input and a solution anneal
lead: Weld with low heat input and a matching or overmatched filler. Anneal after hot work.
points:
- label: Welding
line: Outokumpu says Ultra grades are more sensitive to hot cracking, so low heat input is needed.
- label: Hot work
line: Hot working at 1150 to 850 °C, then a solution anneal at 1060 to 1140 °C (Outokumpu Table 8).
References
Every number above carries a reference number. Click one to see the source and where in it the value comes from.
| # | Source | Type | Year | Used for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Outokumpu: Ultra range datasheet (Ultra 904L, EN 1.4539, UNS N08904) | datasheet | 2025 | 24 values | |
| ATI: ATI 904L technical data sheet, version 1 (2012) | datasheet | 2012 | 16 values | |
| Sandmeyer Steel: Alloy 904L specification sheet (rev 02/2023) | datasheet | 2023 | 19 values | |
| Metalcor: 1.4539 (AISI 904 L / N08904) datasheet | datasheet | 1 value | ||
| Wikipedia: SAE 904L stainless steel | web | 0 values | ||
| SpaceMat: AISI 904L entry | database | 0 values | ||
| USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026: Nickel | report | 2026 | 1 value | |
| USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026: Chromium | report | 2026 | 1 value | |
| USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026: Molybdenum | report | 2026 | 1 value | |
| USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026: Copper | report | 2026 | 1 value | |
| PubChem: Nickel (CID 935), GHS classification | database | 1 value | ||
| PubChem: Chromium (CID 23976), GHS classification | database | 1 value | ||
| PubChem: Molybdenum (CID 23932), GHS classification | database | 1 value | ||
| PubChem: Copper (CID 23978), GHS classification | database | 1 value |