304l vs 316l vs 904l stainless steel

304L vs. 316L vs. 904L Stainless Steel: A Detailed Comparison

At Gangsteel, a leading manufacturer and exporter of stainless steel products, we supply high-quality SA 240 GR 304L, SA 240 GR 316L, and SA 240 GR 904L stainless steel plates compliant with ASME SA 240 and ASTM A240 standards. These grades—304L (UNS S30403), 316L (UNS S31603), and 904L (UNS N08904)—are austenitic stainless steels known for their corrosion resistance, formability, and non-magnetic properties.

This article compares 304L, 316L, and 904L in terms of chemical composition, mechanical properties, corrosion resistance, weldability, cost, and applications to help you choose the right material for uses like plat stainless 304 and SA 240 GR 304 pipe. For inquiries, contact us at admin@gangsteel.com or explore our ASME SA 240 stainless steel plate offerings.

Overview of 304L, 316L, and 904L Stainless Steel

• SA 240 GR 304L (AISI 304L, 1.4306/1.4307): A low-carbon version of 304, with excellent weldability and corrosion resistance in mild environments, ideal for food processing and general applications.
• SA 240 GR 316L (AISI 316L, 1.4404): A low-carbon, molybdenum-enhanced version of 316, offering superior corrosion resistance in chloride environments (e.g., marine settings) and good weldability.
• SA 240 GR 904L (AISI 904L, 1.4539): A high-alloy austenitic stainless steel with low carbon, high nickel, and molybdenum, designed for exceptional corrosion resistance in aggressive environments (e.g., sulfuric acid, chloride-rich conditions).

All three grades are non-magnetic in the annealed state, with a density of ~8.00 g/cm³, and are specified under ASME SA 240 for plates, sheets, and strips.

Chemical Composition Comparison

The primary differences lie in carbon, molybdenum, nickel, and copper content, affecting corrosion resistance and cost:

• 304L: Low carbon (≤0.03%) for weldability; no molybdenum, suitable for mild environments.
• 316L: Adds 2-3% molybdenum for enhanced chloride resistance; low carbon for weldability.
• 904L: High nickel (23-28%), molybdenum (4-5%), and copper for superior corrosion resistance in aggressive acids and chlorides.

For detailed specs, refer to our SS 304 data sheet and sa 240 gr 316l.

Mechanical Properties Comparison

• Strength: 904L has higher yield strength (220 MPa) due to its alloying elements, while 304L and 316L are similar (170 MPa). Tensile strengths are comparable.
• Ductility: 304L and 316L offer higher elongation, better for forming (e.g., plat SS 304 3mm).
• Hardness: 904L is slightly harder, impacting machinability.

Corrosion Resistance Comparison

• 304L: Excellent in atmospheric, freshwater, and mild acid environments (food-grade); less resistant to chloride pitting (e.g., coastal areas). Outperforms SS204 vs SS 304 due to higher nickel.
• 316L: Superior pitting and crevice corrosion resistance in chloride environments (e.g., marine, saltwater) due to 2-3% molybdenum. Preferred for coastal or chemical applications.
• 904L: Exceptional resistance to pitting, crevice corrosion, and stress corrosion cracking in aggressive environments (e.g., sulfuric acid, high-chloride conditions). Used in extreme chemical and marine settings.

For harsher environments, explore sa 240 gr 317l.

Weldability Comparison

• 304L: Excellent weldability due to low carbon (≤0.03%), minimizing sensitization. Uses ER308L fillers. Ideal for welded SA 240 GR 304 pipe.
• 316L: Excellent weldability, also low carbon, with ER316L fillers. Suitable for welded structures in chloride environments.
• 904L: Good weldability with low carbon (≤0.02%), using ER385 fillers. Requires careful heat control due to high alloy content to avoid hot cracking.

For critical welds, 304L and 316L are more forgiving than 904L.

Cost Comparison

As of October 15, 2025:

Gangsteel offers 304L at $1.50/kg FOB and 316L at $2.50/kg FOB (MOQ 1 ton). 904L pricing is available on request due to limited stock. Contact admin@gangsteel.com.

Applications

• 304L: Food processing (tanks, plat stainless 304), chemical equipment, architecture (plate 2 mm SUS 304), general-purpose applications. See sa 240 gr 304l.
• 316L: Marine equipment, chemical processing, pharmaceuticals, coastal structures requiring chloride resistance. See sa 240 gr 316l.
• 904L: High-end chemical processing (sulfuric/phosphoric acid), offshore oil and gas, luxury watches (e.g., Rolex), pulp and paper industries.

For high-temperature applications, explore sa 240 gr 321.

Which is Better?

• Choose 304Lfor cost-effective, general-purpose applications (e.g., food-grade, mild environments) with good weldability and moderate corrosion resistance.
• Choose 316Lfor chloride-heavy environments (e.g., marine, chemical) requiring enhanced pitting resistance at a moderate cost increase.
• Choose 904Lfor extreme corrosive conditions (e.g., acids, high-chloride) where superior performance justifies the high cost.

Why Choose Gangsteel?

Gangsteel provides certified SA 240 GR 304L, 316L, and 904L plates with competitive SS 304 plate price starting at $1.50/kg FOB for 304L. Our 600+ ton inventory supports global delivery for applications from plat stainless 304 to heavy plates. For quotes or to learn more, visit our astm a 240 stainless plate page or email admin@gangsteel.com.