904L Bars & Rods
904L Stainless Steel bars & rods supplied to ASTM B649 from our Mumbai stockyard. 904L is a low-carbon, high-alloy austenitic stainless steel with 23–28% nickel, 4–5% molybdenum and a deliberate 1–2% copper addition. The copper is what distinguishes it: it gives resistance to sulphuric and phosphoric acid that ordinary austenitic grades cannot match, while the high nickel and molybdenum provide strong resistance to chloride pitting and stress corrosion cracking.
Governing Standards for 904L Bars & Rods
State the standard on your enquiry and we will confirm stock against it.
| Standard | Covers |
|---|---|
| ASTM B649 | Bar and wire |
904L Chemical Composition (%)
Composition and mechanical values are the limits set by the governing ASTM specification and are given for reference. The mill test certificate supplied with your consignment carries the actual heat analysis.
| Element | 904L (N08904) |
|---|---|
| Carbon | 0.020 max |
| Chromium | 19.0 – 23.0 |
| Nickel | 23.0 – 28.0 |
| Molybdenum | 4.0 – 5.0 |
| Copper | 1.0 – 2.0 |
| Manganese | 2.00 max |
| Silicon | 1.00 max |
| Phosphorus | 0.045 max |
| Sulphur | 0.035 max |
904L Bars & Rods Specifications
904L Bars & Rods — Chemical Composition
| Grade | C | Mn | P | S | Si | Cr | Ni | Mo | Other |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TP 304 | 0.08 | 2.00 | 0.045 | 0.030 | 1.00 | 18.0–20.0 | 8.0–11.0 | — | N 0.10 |
| TP 304L | 0.035 | 2.00 | 0.045 | 0.030 | 1.00 | 18.0–20.0 | 8.0–13.0 | — | N 0.10 |
| TP 316 | 0.08 | 2.00 | 0.045 | 0.030 | 1.00 | 16.0–18.0 | 11.0–14.0 | 2.00–3.00 | N 0.10 |
| TP 316L | 0.035 | 2.00 | 0.045 | 0.030 | 1.00 | 16.0–18.0 | 10.0–15.0 | 2.00–3.00 | N 0.10 |
| TP 321 | 0.08 | 2.00 | 0.045 | 0.030 | 1.00 | 17.0–19.0 | 9.0–12.0 | — | Ti ≥ 5 × C |
| TP 347 | 0.08 | 2.00 | 0.045 | 0.030 | 1.00 | 17.0–19.0 | 9.0–13.0 | — | Nb ≥ 10 × C |
| TP 310S | 0.08 | 2.00 | 0.045 | 0.030 | 1.00 | 24.0–26.0 | 19.0–22.0 | — | — |
| TP 317L | 0.035 | 2.00 | 0.045 | 0.030 | 1.00 | 18.0–20.0 | 11.0–15.0 | 3.00–4.00 | N 0.10 |
Note: Per ASTM A312 / A240. Values are maximum % by weight unless a range is shown. ASTM A312 permits 0.035% max carbon on L grades, where ASTM A240 plate specifies 0.030% max.
904L Bars & Rods — Mechanical Properties
| Grade | Tensile Strength (min) | Yield Strength 0.2% (min) | Elongation (min) | Hardness (max) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TP 304 | 515 MPa (75 ksi) | 205 MPa (30 ksi) | 35% | 90 HRB / 192 HBW |
| TP 304L | 485 MPa (70 ksi) | 170 MPa (25 ksi) | 35% | 90 HRB / 192 HBW |
| TP 316 | 515 MPa (75 ksi) | 205 MPa (30 ksi) | 35% | 90 HRB / 192 HBW |
| TP 316L | 485 MPa (70 ksi) | 170 MPa (25 ksi) | 35% | 90 HRB / 192 HBW |
| TP 321 | 515 MPa (75 ksi) | 205 MPa (30 ksi) | 35% | 90 HRB / 192 HBW |
| TP 347 | 515 MPa (75 ksi) | 205 MPa (30 ksi) | 35% | 90 HRB / 192 HBW |
| TP 310S | 515 MPa (75 ksi) | 205 MPa (30 ksi) | 35% | 90 HRB / 192 HBW |
Note: Specified minimum values in the solution-annealed condition, per ASTM A312 / A240. Elongation is measured in 50 mm (2 in.).
904L Bars & Rods — Size Range & Supply Condition
| Parameter | Range |
|---|---|
| Round bar diameter | 3 mm to 500 mm |
| Square bar | 4 mm to 100 mm |
| Hex bar across flats | 2 mm to 100 mm |
| Flat bar | 3 mm to 100 mm thick × 10 mm to 500 mm wide |
| Length | 100 mm to 6000 mm, or cut to length |
| Condition | Hot rolled, forged, cold drawn, centreless ground, peeled, polished, black |
| Standards | ASTM A276 / A479 / A484 / A582, ASTM A182 (forged), ASTM B164 / B166 / B446 (nickel) |
904L Bars & Rods — Physical Properties
| Property | SS 304 / 304L | SS 316 / 316L |
|---|---|---|
| Density | 8.00 g/cm³ | 8.00 g/cm³ |
| Melting range | 1400–1450 °C | 1375–1400 °C |
| Modulus of elasticity | 193 GPa | 193 GPa |
| Thermal conductivity (100 °C) | 16.2 W/m·K | 16.3 W/m·K |
| Specific heat (0–100 °C) | 500 J/kg·K | 500 J/kg·K |
| Thermal expansion (0–100 °C) | 17.2 µm/m·°C | 15.9 µm/m·°C |
| Electrical resistivity | 720 nΩ·m | 740 nΩ·m |
| Max continuous service temp. | ≈ 870 °C | ≈ 925 °C |
| Magnetic response (annealed) | Non-magnetic | Non-magnetic |
Note: Values at 20 °C unless stated. Thermal expansion matters when austenitic stainless is welded to carbon steel.
904L Bars & Rods — Equivalent Grades Across Standards
| ASTM / AISI | UNS | EN / DIN | EN Name | JIS | GB |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 304 | S30400 | 1.4301 | X5CrNi18-10 | SUS 304 | 06Cr19Ni10 |
| 304L | S30403 | 1.4307 | X2CrNi18-9 | SUS 304L | 022Cr19Ni10 |
| 316 | S31600 | 1.4401 | X5CrNiMo17-12-2 | SUS 316 | 06Cr17Ni12Mo2 |
| 316L | S31603 | 1.4404 | X2CrNiMo17-12-2 | SUS 316L | 022Cr17Ni12Mo2 |
| 321 | S32100 | 1.4541 | X6CrNiTi18-10 | SUS 321 | 06Cr18Ni11Ti |
| 347 | S34700 | 1.4550 | X6CrNiNb18-10 | SUS 347 | 06Cr18Ni11Nb |
| 310S | S31008 | 1.4845 | X8CrNi25-21 | SUS 310S | 06Cr25Ni20 |
| 430 | S43000 | 1.4016 | X6Cr17 | SUS 430 | 10Cr17 |
Note: Cross-reference for enquiries written against European, Japanese or Chinese standards. Equivalents are close but not always identical — check the composition limits before substituting.
904L Bars & Rods — Ordering & Supply
| Parameter | Detail |
|---|---|
| Minimum order quantity | 5 kg (mixed sizes within a grade can be combined to reach the MOQ) |
| Price basis | Ex-works Mumbai, FOB or CIF — quoted per kg, per metre or per piece depending on the form |
| Lead time | Ready stock dispatched in 1–3 working days; mill orders typically 2–6 weeks |
| Certification | Mill test certificate to EN 10204 3.1 as standard; 3.2 with third-party witness, IBR and NACE MR0175 on request |
| Testing available | PMI, IGC (ASTM A262), hydrostatic, ultrasonic, radiographic, impact and hardness testing |
| Third-party inspection | Bureau Veritas, TÜV, DNV, SGS, Lloyd's Register, Intertek, RITES and client/EPC inspection |
| Packing | Wooden crates or pallets, plastic caps on pipe ends, VCI wrapping where required, seaworthy export packing |
| Payment terms | Advance, against proforma invoice, or LC at sight for export orders |
| Supply area | Across India and export to the Middle East, Europe, the USA, Africa and South East Asia |
| Product form | Bars |
Note: Cut lengths, non-standard sizes and special certification are available on request. Prices are quoted against grade, size, schedule and quantity.
Values shown are the specified minima and maxima published in the governing standards and are given for guidance. The mill test certificate supplied with your consignment reports the actual results for that heat.
When to specify 904L for bar work
Choose 904L where reducing acids — particularly sulphuric and phosphoric — attack 316, and where chloride stress corrosion cracking must also be controlled. If the duty is chloride resistance alone and higher strength would help, Duplex 2205 is usually more economical. If the medium is more aggressive still, a nickel alloy such as Inconel 625 or Hastelloy is the next step.
Products in this range
904L in other forms
Full composition, properties and equivalents on the 904L Stainless Steel grade page.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Why does 904L contain copper?
- The 1–2% copper addition is deliberate and is the reason 904L exists. Copper markedly improves resistance to reducing acids, above all sulphuric acid across a wide range of concentrations, where standard austenitic grades corrode. Without the copper, 904L would behave much like a high-nickel version of 317L.
- Is 904L better than Duplex 2205?
- They solve different problems. 904L is better in reducing acids such as sulphuric and phosphoric. Duplex 2205 has roughly twice the yield strength, which often allows a thinner and cheaper section, and is generally more economical where the requirement is chloride resistance rather than acid resistance. Tell us the medium, concentration and temperature and we will advise which fits.
Send your 904L Bars & Rods requirement
Give us the size, schedule or thickness, quantity and standard and we will confirm stock and send a firm price. Minimum order quantity 5 kg, mill test certificate to EN 10204 3.1 with every consignment.