904L Stainless Steel Plate High-Corrosion-Resistance Alloy Steel Sheet for Industrial Use

904L Stainless Steel Plate High-Corrosion-Resistance Alloy Steel Sheet for Industrial Use

904L stainless steel plate is a premium, fully austenitic alloy designed for highly demanding industrial environments where maximum corrosion resistance, excellent formability, and long-term durability are required. Known for its extremely low carbon content and enhanced alloy composition of nickel, chromium, molybdenum, and copper, 904L stainless steel delivers exceptional performance in aggressive acidic conditions, chloride-rich systems, and environments that commonly cause rapid degradation in conventional stainless steels.

Below is a comprehensive product overview—structure, properties, applications, technical specifications, and performance data—organized in both descriptive text and detailed tables for clearer understanding.

1. Product Overview

904L stainless steel plate (UNS N08904) is a high-alloy, non-stabilized austenitic grade commonly used in chemical, petrochemical, marine, and pharmaceutical industries. Its superior chemical composition provides outstanding resistance to pitting, crevice corrosion, and stress-corrosion cracking. The high nickel and molybdenum content significantly improves resistance to reducing acids such as sulfuric acid, making 904L one of the few stainless steels that can withstand harsh acidic environments without rapid corrosion.

This grade maintains high toughness and ductility even at sub-zero temperatures, while offering excellent weldability and processability. In applications where 316L or 317L stainless steel may fail due to chloride attack or acidic conditions, 904L stands out as the reliable, long-lasting choice.

2. Key Features and Advantages

Exceptional Corrosion Resistance

• High resistance to sulfuric, phosphoric, and acetic acids

• Excellent performance in chloride environments (sea water, brine systems, salt processing)

• Superior resistance to stress-corrosion cracking compared with 300-series stainless steels

High Alloy Composition

• Low carbon content prevents carbide precipitation during welding

• High nickel and molybdenum improve resistance to reducing and pitting conditions

• Copper addition enhances performance in sulfuric acid applications

Mechanical Durability

• High tensile strength and durability even at elevated temperatures

• Good impact resistance

• Stable austenitic structure ensures toughness across a wide temperature range

Good Fabrication and Welding Properties

• Easy to bend, roll, cut, and form

• Weldable by standard methods (TIG, MIG, SMAW)

• Post-weld heat treatment generally not required

3. Chemical Composition

This balanced composition is engineered to deliver superior resistance to corrosion mechanisms that commonly affect industrial equipment and infrastructure.

4. Mechanical Properties

904L stainless steel plate is renowned for its stable mechanical performance, even in extreme conditions such as cryogenic temperatures or high-temperature chemical processing.

5. Physical Properties

These characteristics support exceptional dimensional stability and reliability in precision-critical environments.

6. Available Sizes and Dimensions

Custom sizes, cut-to-length sheets, and CNC-processed components can be provided based on application requirements.

Surface finishes include 2B, BA, No.1, No.4, HL (Hairline), and customized textured surfaces.

7. Applications of 904L Stainless Steel Plate

Thanks to its exceptional corrosion resistance and mechanical strength, 904L stainless steel plate is widely used in:

Chemical and Petrochemical Processing

• Sulfuric acid production plants

• Phosphoric acid storage tanks

• Acetic acid reactors

• Heat exchangers, evaporators, condensers

Marine Industry

• Desalination equipment

• Offshore platform components

• Shipbuilding structural elements

• Sea water cooling systems

Oil and Gas Sector

• Pipeline systems

• Refinery equipment

• Gas scrubbing systems

Pharmaceutical and Food Processing

• Hygienic storage tanks

• Process piping

• Cleaning and sterilization equipment

Environmental Equipment

• Flue gas desulfurization (FGD) systems

• Wastewater treatment units

High-End Engineering and Architecture

• Luxury equipment components

• Decorative structural elements exposed to aggressive outdoor environments

8. Corrosion Resistance Performance

904L stainless steel stands out due to its improved resistance to:

• Pitting corrosion in chloride-rich environments

• Crevice corrosion in tight spaces

• Stress-corrosion cracking under tensile load

• Intergranular corrosion due to low carbon content

• General corrosion in acidic mediums

It is particularly effective in concentrations of sulfuric acid ranging from low to high, where standard stainless steels degrade rapidly. The addition of copper enhances this performance significantly.

9. Processing and Fabrication

Cutting and Machining

• Laser cutting, plasma cutting, and waterjet cutting

• Good machinability with proper tooling

Welding

• Compatible with TIG/MIG/SMAW processes

• Filler metals such as 904L or high-nickel alloys recommended

• No post-weld heat treatment needed

Forming and Bending

• High ductility and formability due to austenitic structure

• Suitable for deep drawing, rolling, folding, and stamping

10. Packaging and Delivery

To protect the high-value alloy surface, 904L stainless steel plates are packaged with:

• Waterproof wrapping film

• Anti-rust paper

• Steel-reinforced pallets or wooden crates

• Plastic edge protectors

Global shipping is available by sea, air, or land.

11. Quality Assurance

Each 904L stainless steel plate undergoes strict quality testing, including:

• Chemical composition analysis

• Mechanical property testing

• ULTRASONIC inspection

• Surface roughness control

• Dimensional accuracy verification

• PMI (Positive Material Identification)

Compliance with international standards such as ASTM B625, ASTM A240, JIS G4304/G4305, EN 1.4539, and GB/T specifications ensures reliability and consistency.

12. Conclusion

904L stainless steel plate is the ideal solution for industries requiring advanced corrosion resistance, long-term durability, and excellent mechanical performance under extreme environmental conditions. With its superior alloy composition and exceptional resistance to aggressive acids and chloride-rich environments, it far outperforms conventional stainless steel grades like 316L or 317L.

Whether used in chemical processing systems, marine engineering, oil and gas equipment, or high-purity industrial applications, 904L stainless steel plate provides unmatched stability, reliability, and service life.