Hot Rolled and Cold Rolled 904L Stainless Steel Plate With High Corrosion Resistance for Harsh Environments

Hot Rolled and Cold Rolled 904L Stainless Steel Plate – High Corrosion Resistance for Harsh Environments

Product Introduction

904L stainless steel (UNS N08904, EN 1.4539) is a super austenitic, low-carbon alloy engineered for extreme corrosion resistance in aggressive chemical, marine, and industrial environments. Available in both hot rolled (HR) and cold rolled (CR) plate forms, 904L delivers unmatched performance where standard grades like 316L or duplex steels fail—particularly in sulfuric acid, chloride-rich, or reducing conditions.

Our 904L stainless steel plates are manufactured to international standards (ASTM A240, EN 10028-7, ASME SA-240) and supplied with full traceability and certification (EN 10204 3.1). Whether you require thick structural plates for reactors or precision-thin sheets for instrumentation, we offer tailored solutions for the most demanding applications.

Why 904L? Superior Alloy Design

904L’s exceptional durability stems from its high alloy content:

• 23–28% Nickel: Enhances ductility and resistance to reducing acids
• 19–23% Chromium: Forms a stable passive oxide layer
• 4–5% Molybdenum: Boosts pitting/crevice corrosion resistance
• 1–2% Copper: Critical for sulfuric acid service
• ≤0.02% Carbon: Prevents chromium carbide precipitation during welding

This composition yields a Pitting Resistance Equivalent Number (PREN) of 34–36, far exceeding 316L (PREN ~25) and rivaling some nickel-based alloys—at a lower cost.

Hot Rolled vs. Cold Rolled 904L: Key Differences

Note: Both forms exhibit identical corrosion resistance—the difference lies in surface quality, dimensional accuracy, and mechanical response.

Chemical Composition (UNS N08904 / EN 1.4539)

All batches are verified via PMI (Positive Material Identification) and certified in the Mill Test Report.

Mechanical Properties (Typical at 20°C)

Cold-rolled material may show slightly higher yield strength (up to 300 MPa) due to strain hardening.

Corrosion Resistance Highlights

904L excels in environments that rapidly degrade conventional stainless steels:

• ✅ Sulfuric Acid (H₂SO₄): Resists concentrations up to 98% at temperatures ≤40°C
• ✅ Phosphoric & Organic Acids: Stable in acetic, formic, and citric acid systems
• ✅ Chloride Solutions: Resists pitting in seawater, bleach, and brine (up to 60°C)
• ✅ Flue Gas Desulfurization (FGD): Performs reliably in wet SO₂ scrubbers
• ✅ Stress Corrosion Cracking (SCC): Highly resistant even under tensile stress in hot chlorides

This makes 904L ideal for chemical reactors, heat exchangers, piping, valves, and offshore platforms.

Available Specifications

Fabrication & Processing

• Laser Cutting: Both HR and CR plates cut cleanly with fiber lasers; nitrogen assist recommended for oxide-free edges.
• Welding: Use matching filler (ER385). No post-weld annealing needed due to ultra-low carbon.
• Forming: Cold rolled sheets offer excellent bendability (min. bend radius = 2× thickness).
• Machining: Requires rigid setups and sharp tools; use sulfurized coolants to manage work hardening.

Packaging & Quality Assurance

• Plates/sheets wrapped in VCI anti-corrosion film
• Bundled on fumigated wooden pallets with corner protection
• Each shipment includes heat number traceability and EN 10204 3.1 certificate
• Optional: Third-party inspection (e.g., SGS, TÜV), ultrasonic testing (UT), or surface roughness reports

Typical Applications by Industry

Sustainability & Lifecycle Value

While 904L has a higher initial cost than 316L, its extended service life, reduced maintenance, and lower risk of catastrophic failure deliver superior total cost of ownership in harsh environments. Additionally, it is 100% recyclable and contains significant recycled content, supporting circular economy goals.

Order Information

We supply certified hot rolled and cold rolled 904L stainless steel plates globally with:

• Stock availability in common thicknesses (HR: 6–25 mm; CR: 1–4 mm)
• Custom cutting (shearing, laser, waterjet)
• Full documentation per PED, ASME, or customer-specific QA plans
• MOQ: 300 kg (small trial orders accepted)

Contact us today for a technical datasheet, sample, or competitive quote—engineered for reliability in the world’s harshest environments.

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