Views: 17 Author: Site Editor Publish Time: 2025-05-14 Origin: Site
In industries that seek superior corrosion resistance, choosing the right stainless steel is critical. 316L and 904L are two popular austenitic stainless steels, both of which are known for their excellent properties. However, in specific application scenarios, they each show unique advantages.
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316L (UNS S31603) stainless steel, also known as austenitic stainless steel, has a low carbon content. 316L is able to resist corrosion in chloride environments and reducing acids of the sulfuric acid type, which is due to the presence of molybdenum. Due to its low carbon content, UNS S31603 is softer and more ductile, and compared to other stainless steel grades, 316L is easier to machine.
“L” in 316l stainless steel stands for “low”, indicating that the alloy has a very low carbon content, which effectively prevents carbide precipitation. 316L steel is commonly used in the chemical and petrochemical industries, food processing, pharmaceutical equipment, medical devices applications.
Excellent corrosion resistance: It performs particularly well in marine environments and chloride-containing media.
Good weldability: The low carbon content reduces carbide precipitation during welding.
Wide range of applications: From food processing, medical devices to chemical equipment, it can be found everywhere.
Cost-effectiveness: Compared with 904L, 316L is generally more economical.
Austenitic stainless steel containing high alloy elements is called 904L. It has high corrosion resistance to harsh and severe corrosive environments,particularly strong reducing acids like sulfuric and phosphoric acid. It is often chosen for applications where standard austenitic stainless steels like 316L and 317L are insufficient.
Top corrosion resistance: It exhibits excellent corrosion resistance in strong acids, chlorides and high temperature environments.
Stronger resistance to pitting and crevice corrosion: The high alloy content makes it stable even in harsh environments.
Excellent resistance to stress corrosion cracking: The special composition makes it more resistant to corrosion damage under stress.
Choice for high-end applications: It is often used in fields with extremely demanding material requirements such as petrochemicals, pharmaceuticals and flue gas desulfurization.
CHEMICAL | LIMITS | C | Mn | P | S | Si | Ni | Cr | Mo | N |
316L | MIN | 10 | 16 | 2 | ||||||
MAX | 0.03 | 2 | 0.045 | 0.03 | 1 | 15 | 18 | 3 | 0.1 | |
904L | MIN | 23 | 19 | 4 | ||||||
MAX | 0.02 | 2 | 0.04 | 0.03 | 1 | 28 | 23 | 5 | 0.1 |
While both 316L and 904L perform well in corrosive environments, 904L is highly resistant to corrosion in high chloride environments. 316L is highly recommended for corrosion resistant applications, but only for general use. 904L is used in specific severe conditions such as heat exchangers. 904L is more susceptible to stress corrosion cracking when tensile loads are applied in severe environments than 316L.
316L is generally considered to have better weldability than 904L due to its lower alloying content.
904L can be welded, but it often requires specialized techniques due to its higher alloy content, which can make it more prone to hot cracking.
Machinability can also be more challenging for 904L compared to 316L due to its higher strength and work hardening rate.
In short, 904L is much more expensive than 316L.
The main reason is that 904L contains more expensive alloying elements (such as nickel, chromium, molybdenum, and copper), which makes it more corrosion resistant, especially in harsh environments.
If your application environment is very corrosive and requires higher durability, it may be worth the higher cost to choose 904L. But if the environment is not so harsh, 316L is usually a more economical choice.
316L stainless steel:
● Chemical and petrochemical industries
● Pharmaceutical equipment
● Medical devices
● Marine applications
● Architectural decoration
904L stainless steel:
● Extremely corrosive environments
● Pulp and paper industry
● Oil and gas industry
● Pollution control equipment
● Some high-end consumer goods
Choose 316L: When your application requires good general corrosion resistance—especially in moderately corrosive environments or cost-sensitive scenarios—316L is a reliable and economical choice.
Choose 904L: If your application involves extreme corrosive conditions, such as strong acids, high-temperature chlorides, or other harsh environments, and demands the highest levels of long-term stability and safety, then 904L is undoubtedly the superior option. Despite its higher initial cost, its exceptional performance significantly extends equipment lifespan and reduces long-term maintenance expenses.
316L is a versatile and cost-effective stainless steel suitable for a wide range of applications requiring good corrosion resistance. 904L is harder than 306L, which is ductile, resulting in less tool wear, easier machining, and cost-effective. 904L is a higher-performing but more expensive stainless steel designed for extreme corrosive environments, where its superior resistance to a wide range of corrosion enhances durability and service life. The choice between the two depends largely on specific application needs and budget considerations.
-Pipe and Tube (EN 10216-5, ASTM A213, ASTM A249, A312, A790,)
-Forged Fitting and Flange (ASTM A182 , ASTM A105,ASTM B564 )
-Butt Weld Fittings (ASTM A234, ASTM A403,ASTM A815)
-Round bar , Billet (ASTM A276, ASTM A479)
- Plate, Sheet, Strip(ASTM A240, EN 10028-7, A480)
-Bolting, Nuts（ASTM A193, A194, A320）
We Export 904L and 316L Stainless Steel to Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, Oman, Kuwait, Turkey, Egypt, Yemen , Syria, Jordan, Cyprus, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, South Korea, Japan, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Paraguay, Uruguay, United States Of America, Canada, Mexico, Panama, Jamaica, Bahamas, Denmark, Norway, Germany, France,Italy, United Kingdom, Spain, Belgium, Greece, Czech Republic, Portugal, Hungary, Albania, Austria, Finland, Ireland, Croatia, Malta, Nigeria, Algeria, Angola, South Africa, Libya, Egypt, Sudan, Europe, Africa, Asia, North America, South America, Middle East.etc
