904L Stainless Steel Plate Price 2025

For most corrosive-service applications where chloride and sulfuric-acid resistance matter, 904L plate remains a premium, technically appropriate choice — but its cost premium is significant versus 316/316L and many duplex grades. In 2025 we see typical factory-FOB price bands roughly between USD 1,000–8,500 per tonne depending on origin, thickness and finish; China and India generally offer the most competitive per-ton prices while Europe and North America command higher quotes for certified, traceable plate and cut-to-size service. If you need factory traceability, fast stock delivery and competitive mill pricing for custom sizes, we recommend sourcing direct from a Chinese mill such as Luokaiwei—we supply 904L with 100% factory pricing advantage, flexible customization and fast shipment from stock.

1) What is 904L Stainless Steel
904L is a high-nickel, high-molybdenum, copper-bearing austenitic stainless steel produced to the UNS N08904 / EN 1.4539 designation. It was formulated for enhanced resistance to chloride pitting and to perform in reducing acids (notably sulfuric acid), where its copper and elevated nickel content give appreciable performance gains over standard 300-series grades. The material is commercialized as a “super-austenitic” grade for chemical processing, desalination and marine service.

2) Chemical and mechanical traits — why those elements matter
We summarize the typical composition ranges and the practical effect of each key alloying element (numbers are illustrative ranges commonly supplied for 904L):

• Nickel (Ni) ~ 23–28% — stabilizes the austenitic matrix, improves toughness and overall corrosion resistance; this is the primary driver of material cost.

• Chromium (Cr) ~ 19–21% — provides basic passivation and general corrosion resistance.

• Molybdenum (Mo) ~ 4–5% — crucial for resistance to pitting and crevice corrosion in chloride environments.

• Copper (Cu) ~ 1–2% — enhances resistance to reducing acids such as sulfuric acid and improves localized corrosion performance in specific media.

• Carbon (C) ≤ 0.02–0.03% — low carbon reduces risk of sensitization after welding, improving intergranular corrosion resistance.

Mechanically, 904L in the annealed condition has tensile and yield strengths similar to other austenitics; it is notch-tough at ambient temperature but is more costly to cold-work and machine due to high alloy content and work-hardening behaviour. Industry datasheets and producer technical notes provide detailed property tables you should reference for design.

3) Primary applications and where 904L is chosen
We most commonly see 904L specified for:

• Sulfuric and phosphoric acid handling equipment (concentrated or varying concentrations).

• Flue-gas desulfurization and scrubbers.

• Heat exchangers and piping in fertilizer plants and chemical process equipment.

• Sea-water service hardware and marine heat exchangers where greater resistance than 316/316L is required.

• High-end watch cases and jewelry components (familiar brand stories exist) where corrosion resistance and a bright polish are required.

4) Fabrication, welding and heat treatment — practical notes

• Welding: 904L welds well when standard austenitic filler and procedures are used; post-weld solution annealing is recommended for heavily welded pressure equipment to maximize SCC resistance.

• Solution annealing: typical solution annealing / solution treatment temperatures are around 1,060–1,175 °C (1,940–2,150 °F) followed by rapid cooling (water quench) to retain the single-phase austenitic microstructure and re-dissolve detrimental precipitates. This step matters after hot-working or any heavy cold work.

• Machining & forming: higher nickel and Mo increase tool wear and work hardening; plan machining allowances and tool selection accordingly. Cold forming is possible but springback and hardening rates differ from 304/316.

• Heat stability: like many high-alloy austenitics, 904L is stable up to moderate temperatures but care is required above ~400 °C for long exposure due to potential embrittlement or sigma-phase formation if improperly heat treated.

5) Standards and purchasing specifications (what to write in the PO)
When buying plate for pressure and chemical service we recommend specifying both material and the delivery/quality standard. Common acceptable references you can use in purchase orders:

• UNS N08904 (preferred universal identifier)

• EN 1.4539 / X1NiCrMoCu25-20-5 (if ordering to European norms).

• Applicable product standards often include ASTM A240 / ASME SA-240 (flat product) or ASTM B625 for wrought bars/plates in some vendor listings — always confirm the exact ASTM/ASME clause with the mill.

• Specify heat number, mill test report (MTR) EN 10204/3.1 or 3.2, traceability, and any required NDT (RT/UT) or PMI/EDX verification.

6) Plate forms, finishes and typical thickness ranges
904L is offered as hot-rolled plate, cold-rolled sheet, and plate sizes up to mill maximum widths. Typical commercial thicknesses for plate are 3 mm up to 100+ mm, with common fabrication stock in the 3–25 mm range. Surface finishes include 2B, No.1, No.4 brushed and mirror (8K) — electropolishing can be specified for highest chloride resistance and hygiene applications. Suppliers will quote different prices by thickness and finish.

7) Corrosion performance and comparisons

• Versus 316/316L: 904L offers markedly superior resistance to localized corrosion (pitting/crevice) in chloride environments and better resistance to reducing acids because of Mo and Cu additions; it is selected where 316L would pit or corrode prematurely.

• Versus duplex and 6% Mo super-austenitics: Duplex grades (e.g., 2205) can offer better strength and competitive chloride resistance at lower nickel cost, but their general corrosion resistance in strong reducing acids is typically lower. Other super-austenitic grades (e.g., 6% Mo alloys and 254SMO) can outperform 904L in specific chloride or nitric environments — material choice must align to the actual chemical exposure and temperature.

• Practical note: 904L is not a universal substitute — it shines in sulfuric/phosphoric or mixed acid/chloride environments and where weldability and low-temperature toughness are required.

8) Price drivers in 2025 — what changes costs now
We break price influences into direct and indirect factors:

• Nickel and molybdenum raw material costs: Nickel is the dominant raw material cost for 904L; Mo and Cu add to the alloy premium. Nickel price volatility therefore maps strongly to 904L quote movement.

• Scrap balances and mill capacity: Availability of high-quality nickel alloy feedstock and the mills’ capacity to produce super-austenitic grades affects lead times and surcharge levels.

• Energy and logistics: Steelmaking energy costs, plus freight and container availability, influence FOB vs CFR differences.

• Certification and test requirements: MTRs, 3.1/3.2 certificates, additional mechanical testing and PMI raise per-ton pricing compared with non-certified commodity grades.

• Form / finish / thickness: Thin coils and cold-rolled finishes carry different premiums than thick hot-rolled plates.

• Trade and duties: Import duties, VAT, and regional supply chain constraints can add to landed cost; balancing FOB mill price vs landed cost is essential for fair comparison.

9) Global price comparison — practical 2025 guide (ranges and commentary)

How to read the table: numbers are typical market ranges observed in supplier listings, marketplaces and trade reports in 2025. Prices are indicative and depend on quantity, finish, certification and payment/Incoterm. Source examples (see citations below). Always request a firm mill quote and MTR.

Commentary on the numbers: the ranges overlap because suppliers price by lot size, surface finish, certification level, and whether the quote is coil, sheet, or thick plate. China and India frequently show the lowest nominal FOB/t prices because of larger mill supply and lower labour cost; Europe & USA quotes reflect higher overhead, guaranteed EN/ASTM documentation and shorter lead times. Always convert quotes to landed USD/kg for apples-to-apples comparison (include freight, duties, inspection, local cutting/photo documentation).

10) How to evaluate supplier quotes — minimum tests and documentation
When you receive quotes we recommend you insist on the following minimums:

• Mill Test Report (MTR) 3.1 / 3.2 showing chemical analysis and mechanical property results.

• Traceability: heat number to coil/plate, origin of melt and processing route.

• Surface finish & dimensional tolerance confirmation (e.g., 2B, No.1 and thickness tolerance ±x mm).

• Hardness test and tensile properties for pressure equipment.

• Welding consumable recommendations and pre/post heat treatment instructions.

• Optional: PMI/EDX spot checks at loading, independent lab full chemical analysis (if critical service).

If the application is high-risk (pressure, toxic chemicals, high temperatures) add third-party inspection (TPI) and NDT (radiography or ultrasonic) requirements to the contract.

11) Why consider Luokaiwei as your supplier for 904L plate
We build and supply stainless alloy plate for global projects. Our practical strengths for 904L buyers:

• Factory pricing advantage: as a mill/authorized distributor in China we can offer direct EXW/FOB pricing at competitive mill levels.

• Customization & small batches: we support custom thickness, cutting, edge preparation and small lot cutting with short lead times from stock for many common sizes.

• Full documentation & testing: we issue heat-number traceability and can supply 3.1/3.2 MTRs, PMI reports and third-party inspection per buyer request.

• Export experience: seasoned in packing/insuring and global logistics with CIF/CFR/DDP options.

• Technical backup: we advise on selection (e.g., 904L vs alternative alloys) to avoid overpaying for unnecessary over-spec material.

We treat each inquiry as an engineering procurement exercise—send the process fluid chart, temperature and concentration data and we will indicate whether 904L is the most cost-effective alloy or if a duplex/6% Mo grade or titanium may be more appropriate.

12) Buyer checklist & suggested PO wording (concise)

Suggested PO excerpt (abbreviated):

Buyer orders: 904L Plate (UNS N08904 / EN 1.4539) — [quantity, dimensions, finish].
Material standard: UNS N08904 to EN 10088-2 / ASTM A240 (specify one).
Test certificates: Mill Test Report EN 10204 3.1 (or 3.2 if required) for each heat.
Traceability: Heat number to piece, with chemical and mechanical test results attached.
Surface finish: 2B (or No.1 / No.4) as indicated.
Additional tests: PMI at mill, hardness test, UT/RT as required.
Packing: export seaworthy with heat number labelling per piece.
Incoterm: FOB / CIF / DDP [as agreed].
Delivery tolerance: thickness ±X mm; length ±Y mm.
Payment terms: [L/C / TT / etc.].

13) Practical procurement tips from our team

• Buy to the service environment, not to a grade name. Provide chemical environment and temperature details so we can pick the true lowest-cost compliant alloy.

• Bundle orders where possible — plate pricing has strong quantity breaks.

• Ask for comparative quotes (904L vs duplex vs 254SMO) with delivered landed cost and not only FOB — sometimes a stronger alloy with higher initial cost is cheaper over a lifetime.

• Inspect certificates closely — check Mo and Cu content on the MTR; some suppliers mislabel similar grades. PMI testing is cheap insurance.

• Negotiate lead time & stock release—vendors with stock can reduce project risk; mill production for 904L can be scheduled but may carry a premium.

FAQs

Q1 — Is 904L always better than 316L?
No. 904L is superior to 316L for resistance to reducing acids and chloride pitting, but it is more expensive. For many seawater or general corrosion applications 316L or duplex steels give acceptable life at lower cost. Provide the exact chemical environment and temperature to determine best fit.

Q2 — What is a reasonable lead time for 904L plate from a Chinese mill?
For stocked sizes: 2–4 weeks typical for cutting and packing; for mill production (non-stock) 6–12+ weeks depending on mill schedule and certification requirements. Expedited options are possible at premium. (Ask your vendor for firm dates.)

Q3 — Do I need solution annealing after welding?
If you have extensive welding or are making pressure vessels for corrosive media, solution annealing after fabrication is recommended to recover corrosion performance. For simple welds in non-critical service, careful use of low-carbon base metal and proper fillers may suffice.

Q4 — What are the most important tests to request?
MTR (EN 10204 3.1/3.2) with chemical and tensile, PMI verification at shipment, hardness test, and NDT (RT/UT) if the part is pressure-retaining. Ask for traceable heat numbers.

Q5 — How should I compare quotes from different countries?
Convert all quotes to landed USD/kg including freight, duties, inspection, and minor machining. Compare identical documentation levels (3.1 vs 3.2), identical surface finish and thickness tolerances. Cheap EXW offers can evaporate after freight and testing costs are added.

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Closing recommendations from our engineering desk

When life-cycle cost and corrosion performance matter, specify 904L when process chemistry or long service life justifies the premium. If the application is uncertain, provide us with process conditions (media, temperature, pH, chloride level) and we will produce a short, comparative material recommendation (904L vs alternatives) with an estimated landed cost and expected service life.

If you would like, we can prepare a one-page cost & performance comparison (including a sample MTR and supplier checklist) tailored to your process conditions. For urgent quotes, please include: quantity, finished size, surface finish, required certificates and delivery Incoterm.