ASTM A240 Type 904L Stainless Steel Sheet & Plate
What is ASTM A240 Type 904L Stainless Steel Sheet & Plate?
As a professional stainless steel plate and sheet supplier, SHH STEEL is pleased to present ASTM A240 Type 904L Stainless Steel Sheet and Plate. Also known as UNS N08904, this grade is a low-carbon, high-alloy super-austenitic stainless steel specifically developed for severe corrosion environments.
Type 904L contains approximately 20% chromium, 25% nickel, 4.5% molybdenum and 1.5% copper. This carefully balanced composition provides exceptional resistance to a wide range of aggressive media, including dilute sulfuric acid, phosphoric acid, organic acids and chloride-containing solutions. The very low carbon content (maximum 0.020%) ensures excellent resistance to intergranular corrosion after welding, making the grade highly suitable for fabricated equipment.
SHH STEEL supplies ASTM A240 Type 904L in both sheet and plate forms, covering a broad thickness range from thin cold-rolled sheets to heavy hot-rolled plates. The material is typically delivered in the solution-annealed condition with excellent formability, toughness and weldability. Full Mill Test Certificates (EN 10204 3.1 or 3.2) are provided with every shipment to guarantee complete chemical and mechanical traceability.
ASTM A240 Type 904L Material Specification
ASTM A240 Type 904L stainless steel sheet and plate are manufactured in accordance with ASTM A240/A240M and the corresponding ASME SA-240 specification. This standard covers chromium-nickel-molybdenum-copper stainless steel plate, sheet and strip for pressure vessels and general corrosive service applications.
| Specification Element | Requirement | SHH STEEL Compliance |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Standard | ASTM A240 / ASME SA-240 Type 904L | Full compliance |
| UNS Designation | N08904 | Confirmed |
| Product Form | Sheet and Plate | Both available |
| Thickness Range | 0.5 mm – 80 mm (custom up to 100 mm) | Custom sizes available |
| Width / Length | Up to 2000–2500 mm / 12000 mm | Custom fabrication supported |
| Surface Finish | 2B, No.1, BA, HL, No.4 | Multiple options |
| Heat Treatment Condition | Solution Annealed | Standard supply condition |
| Certification | EN 10204 3.1 / 3.2 | Available |
ASTM A240 Type 904L Chemical Composition
The chemical composition of ASTM A240 Type 904L is carefully controlled to achieve high pitting resistance (PREN typically ≥ 34) and excellent performance in reducing acid environments.
| Element | Content (%) | Standard Limit | Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carbon (C) | ≤ 0.020 | 0.020 max | Excellent resistance to intergranular corrosion |
| Manganese (Mn) | ≤ 2.00 | 2.00 max | Deoxidation |
| Silicon (Si) | ≤ 1.00 | 1.00 max | Deoxidation |
| Phosphorus (P) | ≤ 0.045 | 0.045 max | Impurity control |
| Sulfur (S) | ≤ 0.035 | 0.035 max | Cleanliness |
| Chromium (Cr) | 19.0 – 23.0 | 19.0 – 23.0 | Corrosion and oxidation resistance |
| Nickel (Ni) | 23.0 – 28.0 | 23.0 – 28.0 | Austenite stability and acid resistance |
| Molybdenum (Mo) | 4.0 – 5.0 | 4.0 – 5.0 | Pitting and crevice corrosion resistance |
| Copper (Cu) | 1.0 – 2.0 | 1.0 – 2.0 | Resistance to reducing acids (especially H₂SO₄) |
| Nitrogen (N) | ≤ 0.10 | 0.10 max | Strength contribution |
ASTM A240 Type 904L Mechanical Properties
| Property | Value | Test Method |
|---|---|---|
| Tensile Strength | ≥ 490 MPa (71 ksi) | ASTM A370 |
| Yield Strength (0.2% Offset) | ≥ 220 MPa (31 ksi) | ASTM A370 |
| Elongation in 50 mm | ≥ 35% | ASTM A370 |
| Hardness | ≤ 90 HRB / ≤ 220 HB | ASTM E18/E10 |
| Density | 8.0 – 8.1 g/cm³ | — |
Actual values reported on Mill Test Certificates are typically higher than the minimum requirements specified by the standard.
Delivery Conditions
SHH STEEL supplies ASTM A240 Type 904L primarily in the solution-annealed and pickled condition. Detailed capabilities by surface finish are as follows:
2B Finish (Cold-rolled, annealed, pickled and skin-passed)
- Typical thickness: 0.5 mm – 6.0 mm (most common range 0.8 mm – 3.0 mm)
- Maximum width: up to 1500–2000 mm depending on thickness
- Preferred for applications requiring a smooth, uniform surface and good flatness.
No.1 Finish (Hot-rolled, annealed and pickled)
- Typical thickness: 3.0 mm – 80 mm (heavier plates up to 100 mm available on request)
- Maximum width: up to 2000–2500 mm
- Standard finish for heavy plates used in chemical process equipment and pressure vessels.
Other Finishes
- BA (Bright Annealed): Limited to thinner gauges
- HL (Hairline) and No.4: Available for specific surface requirements
Protective PVC film can be applied on one or both sides. Precision cutting (plasma, laser or waterjet) and tighter dimensional tolerances are available upon request.
Tolerances
Dimensional tolerances for ASTM A240 Type 904L sheet and plate comply with ASTM A480/A480M.
- Thickness tolerances are applied according to product form and thickness range. Cold-rolled sheet has tighter controls than hot-rolled plate.
- Width tolerance is typically +6 mm / 0 mm or better.
- Length tolerance for cut-to-length plates is normally +10 mm / 0 mm.
- Flatness is controlled to ASTM A480 requirements; improved flatness material can be supplied for precision fabrication.
- Edge conditions include mill edge, slit edge, sheared edge or plasma/laser cut edge according to customer preference.
Tighter tolerances (including EN 10029 Class B or better) can be arranged for special projects.
Weldability
ASTM A240 Type 904L offers excellent weldability due to its very low carbon content. It can be welded by all common fusion welding processes, including GTAW (TIG), GMAW (MIG), SMAW and plasma welding.
Matching or over-alloyed filler metals such as ER385 (904L filler) are recommended to maintain corrosion resistance in the weld metal. Preheating is generally not required. Post-weld heat treatment is normally unnecessary. Proper cleaning and passivation after welding are strongly recommended to restore the full corrosion resistance of the heat-affected zone, especially in aggressive acid or chloride environments.
Equivalent Material Grades A240 Type 904L
| Grade / Designation | Standard / Country | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Type 904L | ASTM A240 / ASME SA-240 | Primary designation |
| UNS N08904 | Unified Numbering System | Official UNS number |
| 1.4539 | EN 10088 / EN 10028-7 | X1NiCrMoCu25-20-5 |
| SUS904L | JIS | Japanese equivalent |
| 904S13 | BS | British designation |
| SS 2562 | Swedish Standard | — |
| 00Cr20Ni25Mo4.5Cu | Chinese GB reference | Common Chinese designation |
| Z2NCDU25-20 | French AFNOR | — |
Applications
Due to its outstanding resistance to strong reducing acids and chloride environments, ASTM A240 Type 904L is widely used in demanding process industries. Typical applications are shown below:
| Industry / Application Area | Typical Components / Uses (Keywords) |
|---|---|
| Chemical Processing | Sulfuric acid plants, phosphoric acid equipment, reactors, storage tanks |
| Petrochemical & Refining | Heat exchangers, scrubbers, process piping, acid coolers |
| Flue Gas Desulfurization (FGD) | Absorber towers, ducting, dampers, spray systems |
| Pulp & Paper | Digesters, bleach plants, chemical recovery equipment |
| Pharmaceutical & Fine Chemicals | High-purity process vessels, reactors, piping systems |
| Seawater & Marine Environments | Heat exchangers, condensers, piping in chloride-rich conditions |
| Pollution Control Equipment | Gas cleaning systems, scrubbers, effluent treatment vessels |
Why Choose SHH STEEL
SHH STEEL maintains long-term strategic cooperation with major Chinese stainless steel mills and acts as a first-level (primary) agent for these mills. This direct partnership enables us to offer competitive pricing advantages, faster delivery times and consistent quality assurance that many intermediate traders cannot match.
All ASTM A240 Type 904L material is sourced from reputable Chinese mills under strict quality control, supplied with complete Mill Test Certificates, and supported by our experienced export team. Customers benefit from reliable supply chains, short lead times, technical support for material selection, and cost-effective solutions for highly corrosive applications worldwide.
FAQ
- What is the main advantage of 904L compared with 316L?Type 904L contains significantly higher nickel, molybdenum and copper, giving it far superior resistance to sulfuric acid, phosphoric acid and pitting/crevice corrosion in chloride environments. It also has a much higher PREN value.
- What are the main equivalent grades of ASTM A240 Type 904L?USA: UNS N08904, Europe: EN 1.4539 (X1NiCrMoCu25-20-5) Japan: SUS904L UK: 904S13 Sweden: SS 2562 China: 00Cr20Ni25Mo4.5Cu (common reference) France: Z2NCDU25-20
- Is ASTM A240 Type 904L suitable for sulfuric acid service?Yes. 904L is one of the most commonly specified stainless steels for dilute to intermediate concentration sulfuric acid service, especially when copper is beneficial for reducing-acid resistance.
- What is the density of ASTM A240 Type 904L?Approximately 8.0 – 8.1 g/cm³.
- Can 904L be dual-certified with other grades?Dual certification is less common than with 300-series grades, but possible in certain cases if chemistry and mechanical properties overlap. Please contact us for confirmation.
Conclusion
ASTM A240 Type 904L Stainless Steel Sheet and Plate from SHH STEEL provide exceptional corrosion resistance in strong reducing acids and chloride-containing environments. With high nickel, molybdenum and copper content, excellent weldability and reliable mechanical properties, 904L remains a preferred material for chemical processing, FGD systems and other severe service applications.
Backed by strategic partnerships with Chinese mills, competitive pricing, fast delivery and strict quality control, SHH STEEL delivers trusted 904L solutions to customers worldwide.
Contact SHH STEEL today for your ASTM A240 Type 904L requirements.
Keywords Of ASTM A240 Type 904L
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