904L ENR EEX. PNT €0.01) cr20 | Ni25 Design Features + Amstenitie struciare + Good resistance to niform cocresion. + Good resistance to pitting and crevice corrosion + Very good resistance te tras corrosion crcl + Good formabilty and weldablty. Applications + Process equipment in the chemical industry + Tanks, vessels and pipelines + Reactors + Agitator + Distillation and purification columns, Further information on the use of 904L is given on page 5. General Characteristics Avesta Sheffield 904L is a high-alloy austenitic stainless steel with low carbon content, The grade is under severe corrosive conditions. Ith nded for use been application proved over many years and was nally developed to resist corrosion in dilute sulphuric cdised and approved for pressure vessel use in several countries Chemical Composition The chemical composition of specific ste grades may vary Sigh between different rational product standards. The required standard wil be fully meta specified onthe ord Structure ‘9041 is fully austeni :nd is less sensitive to precipitation of ferrite and sigma phases than conventional austenitic grades with high molybdenum con temperatures for manufacturin ent, Characteristic iven in Table 2 ‘TEMPERATURE CHARACTERISTICS Table 2 ‘Temperature *¢ Solidification ronge 1390-1315 Scaling temperature in air 1000 Hot forming 1200-950 Quench anneoting 1120 240° Pressure vessel approval (60-400 * Followed by cooling in water Table 1 Irvernotionel | Aves Typical composition, % Notional steal asionctions, EN astm |#eelmame | ¢ oN Cr _Ni__Mo Others| BS DIN NF $s 1.4462 $31803 | 2205 002 017 22 «57 31 - | 318813 1.4462 730ND22.05 Az 2377 14301 304 | 18.8 004 006 183 87 - - | 304831 1.4301 77. €N18-.09 2333 1.4436 316 |17-1225 |004 006 17 11 27 - | 316833 1.4436 Z7.CND 18-12-03 2343 | 14498 giz | 1814-3, |0.02 008 183 122 32 - | 317512 1.4438 Z3.CND 19-15-04 2367 1.4439 831726 |17-14-41N | 002 0.14 173 127 42 - | 1.4439. 23 CND 18-14-05 Az - 1.4539 NoB904 | 904L 0.01 0.05 20 25 45 1,5¢u| 904513 1.4539 Z2NCDU25-20 2562| 1.4547 $31254|2548Mo* |0.01 020 20 18 61 cw |- ae 2378 INFORMATION 10999GB; SUPERSEDES INF. 9635 Corea eet)Avesta Sheffield 9044 Mechanical Properties ‘Tables 3 and 4 show the mechanical properties, hot rolled plate, transverse to the rolling direction. [MECHANICAL PROPERTIES Tables ‘Minimum valves 20% Wield strength — Ryo N/mm 220 Rio N/mm 250 Tensile strength Ry N/mm 500 Elongation =A, % 35 Hordness HB max. 180 Impoct valve KEV Jem" 120 ‘TENSILE PROPERTIES AT ELEVATED TEMPERATURES Table ¢ Minimum valves | 50100 200 300 a0o'e Ryea Nimm? | 190 176 155136 125 Rove Nimmt | 230 210 185 195155 Ry Nimm | 490 480 4452510 Physical Properties Table 5 TWplee! valves 20 Density ‘ale 80 Modulus of elasticity kN/mm' | 200 Thermal expansion 20-100°C x104/°C 8 Thermal conductivity wine 13 Thermel capecity aks 500 ectrcal resistivity am 850 Corrosion Resistance UNIFORM CORROSION Uniform corrosion is characterised by a uniform attack of the steel surface in contact with the corrosive medium, ‘This type of corrosion may occur in certain acids and hot ‘concentrated alkaline solutions. Impurities in form of halides, such as chloride, bromide or iodide ions, can accelerate the uniform corrosion rate, This applies especially to cases where halides occur in non-oxidising acids. Resistance to uniform corrosion is normally considered ‘2004 if the corrosion rate is ess than 0.1 mm/year. Asa result of its high chromium, nickel and molybdenum contents and its alloying with copper, 904L is passivated ‘even in reducing environments such as dilute sulphuric acid and formic acid, Its high nickel content contributes towards its relatively low corrosion rat in the active state. In pure sulphuric acid 9041. may be used at temperatures up to 40°C, in the concentration range 0-98% H,SO,, Isocorrosion curves are given in Fig. 1. Note that impurities in the acid may reduce or increase the corrosion rate In pure phosphoric acid the resistance is very good in the range 0-85% H,PO,, In wet process acid (WPA) impurities have a strong effect on the corrosivity. 904L is superior to ‘conventional grades in all kinds of phosphoric acid In nitric acid, which is strongly oxidising, 904L is less resistant than highly alloyed steel grades without molybdenum, In hydrochloric acid the use of 904L is limited to acids of Jow concentrations, 1~2% HCl. In this concentration range the resistance of 9O4L is appreciably better than that of| conventional grades. In organic acids the resistance of 904L is good. Fig. 2 shows isocorrosion curves in formic acid, HCOOH. Table 6 shows the results of corrosion testing in a tall oil factory, UNIFORM CORROSION Table ‘Avesta Sheela Corrosion rate, mm/year 171225 09 17-14-41N 03 90a 0.09 Corrosion in a fatty acid column used forthe fractionation of tall oil. Tested for one year at 235°C. ‘A more detailed discussion of the uniform corrosion resistance of Avesta Sheffield stainless steels can be found in the Avesta Sheffield Corrosion Handbook. PITTING AND CREVICE CORROSION Environments containing chlorides may cause pitting attacks on stainless steels, Grades with high content of chromium, molybdenum, and nitrogen possess a high resistance to pitting. Several methods are used to compare the pitting resistance of different grades, One common ‘method is to determine the critical pitting temperature (CPT), This isthe lowest temperature at which pitting ‘occuts when the material has been exposed to particular environment, Pitting can easily occur in oxidising chloride ‘environments. In laboratory conditions, itis possible to ‘emulate oxidising conditions by electrochemical means, using a potentiostatto give the steel a high potential. The CPT can then be determined by varying the temperature of the test solution and observing when pitting attacks occur, Using a specially designed test cell, known as the “Avesta Cell, itis possible to eliminate the risk of erevice corrosion altogether, so that the CPT can be determined with a high degree of accuracy. Typical critical temperatures for the ‘occurrence of pitting corrosion on different steel grades are shown in Fig. 3. As illustrated by Fig. 3, the grade 9041 is highly resistant pitting, Resistance to crevice corrosion in chloride solutions is also good. However, 254 SMO, which contains 6% ‘molybdenum and 654 SMO, which contains 7% ‘molybdenum, are recommended for applications in which higher resistance (o pitting and crevice corrosion is necessary. cco € Avesta Sheffield 904 7030 4050 60 70 80 90 100 H,S0,% Fig | ecomonon curves 0.1 mmiyea in pare saphurc ai “ 120 17.12.25 8% “0 188 wo} 20 0 20 2 @ 3100 HeOOH Fig 2 ocorosion curves, 0.1 saben in formic ai. “The broken curve iniates the oiling pin. csc a 2 VPA22.8I7IRSIN I7-14ALN 904, Fig. 3. Typical ctcal ping temperatures, CPT in IM NaCl (he Avesta Cll method, ASTM Gi) STRESS CORROSION CRACKING Stress corosion cracking (SCC) may oceurif a material is stibjected to tensile stress while in contact with a corrosive ‘medium, usually resulting inthe formation of cracks “Tensile stress may be caused by fabrication processes such as welding and bending. Ordinary austenitic steels may be sensitive to stress ‘corrosion cracking in a chloride rich environment at temperatures above 60°C. The resistance to SCC is ‘enhanced by elevated levels of nickel and molybdenum inthe steel. (Owing to its high nickel and molybdenum contents, ‘9041 is highly resistant to stress corrosion cracking in Chloride solutions, concentrated hydroxide solutions and. cenvironments rich in hydrogen sulphide Many different methods are used for ranking the resistance of various sees to stress corrosion cracking. ‘The ranking may vary somewhat depending on the ‘method used. ‘One method to evaluate the resistance to SCC is the drop evaporation test (DET) In this tes, a uniaxially stressed specimen is initially resistance heated, upon which a dilute sodium chloride solution (0.1M NaCl) is dripped at arate of 6 drops per minute. The resistance heating is adjusted to allow each drop to evaporate completely before the next drop bits the specimen. Due to the cooling effect of the solution, the surface temperature of the specimen varies slightly around 100°C. The main purpose of the drop evaporation testis to simulate wetting/evaporation cycles often found in practical applications. ‘The recorded result is the time to fracture of the specimen. The threshold value of the stress which leads to fracture within 500 hours is determined and expressed as a percentage of the yield strength at 200°C for the steel grade. ‘The threshold values recorded are shown in Fig. 4. A more detailed discussion ofthe stress comrosion resistance ‘of Avesta Sheffield stainless stels and the methods used to rank the altemative grades can be found inthe Avesta Shetfield Corrosion Handbook. INTERGRANULAR CORROSION Intergranular corrosion is caused by the precipitation of cchromium-rich carbides atthe grain boundaries under certain heating conditions. As a result, narrow zone in the vicinity ofthe grain boundaries is depleted of chromium and corrodes quickly in acid solutions. Due to the low carbon content of 904L (max, 0.020%), carbides do not precipitate in connection with ordinary heat treatment and welding. The risk of intererystalline corrosion after ordinary heat treatment and welding is thereby eliminated.Avesta Sheffield 9041 ‘Aepled sos Ria oo] a : - | i V7122.5 2205 904. Fig 4 SCC-tireshold stresses determined using the DET metho Fabrication HOT FORMING SOL is suited to hot forming processes in the temperature range 1200-950°C. Higher temperatures Will reduce the formabilty of the steel while also jereasing the formation of annealing scale. Tf the final hot forming operation is performed well above the reerystallisation temperature, ie, above 100°C, and is followed by rapid cooling, a subsequent anneating isnot required. I is important that the entire ‘component is kept at this temperature, In the case of Partial heating or partially delayed cooling, heat treatment is necessary. COLD FORMING. ‘9041 possesses good cold formability. Bending, pressing, and other forming operations which occur at fabrication can be carried out without difficulty. As with other austenitic steels, intermediate annealing might be ‘ecessary in connection with the more complicated forming operations such as deep drawing. ‘The degree of cold working and the ultimate application determine whether annealing of the finished component is necessary. (MACHINING Like other austenitic steels, 9041. is tough and has a tendency towards work-hardening, This must be taken into account when the grade is machined, ‘With the right choice of tool and machine data, fully satisfactory machining results ean be obvained with this grade WELDING ‘Since 904L is a fully austenitic steel, welding requires particular care and a high level of competence. In the event of doubt conceming welding, the advice of Avesta ‘Welding or R&D specialists should be obtained. Under normal welding conditions, there is relatively litle risk of cracking of the weld metal during solidification, although the risk may be marginally higher than for conventional austenitic stel grades. Due to their higher coefficient of thermal expansion and lower coefficient of thermal conductivity, 904L. and other austenitic steels have a greater tendency than carbon stee! towards deformation in conjunction with welding. ‘The steel can be welded by methods such as manual ‘metal are, GMAW (MIG), GTAW (TIG), submerged are and plasma are welding. Welding methods that involve ‘high heat input may increase the risk of hot cracking, Avesta Welding AB manufactures both covered electrodes and filler wire. The filler metal has the designation Avesta 904L. ‘904L stainless steel can be welded to unalloyed steel using electrodes of type Avesta 904L or Avesta PS. OMA welding should be performed using a shielding 288 consisting of 30% argon and 70% helium or 69% argon, 30% helium and 1% oxygen. In order to obtain a welded joint withthe same ‘corrosion resistance as that ofthe parent material, heat input should be kept low. Small-diameter electrodes, low ‘welding current and high rate of advancement give low hheat input. This will also ensure rapid cooling. In ‘multipass welds the next pass should be started when the bbead temperature is below 100°C. In oxidising, chloride solutions an overalloyed ‘consumable, Avesta PI2, may be used as an altemative 10 Avesta 9041, Post-weld heat treatment is normally not necessary, but if such heat treatment is considered desirable, it should be carried out as quench annealing. Further information regarding joint designs, welding ‘methods, ec. is found in the Avesta Welding leaflet How to weld 904L, Inf. No, 9476:2, WELDING CONSUMABLES Table 7 ‘Avesta 90a [C__Si_Mn Gr_Ni Mo GAN Welding wire | 002 0351.7 20 25 45 15|0 Covered slecrode | 0.03 0.5 15 20 25 45 15|0 Pweelectode | 002 1.0 1.5 20 25 45 15|0 eeee € Avesta Sheffield 9041 Applications 041 is used in various pric forms in process equipment in the chemical industry. Some examples are sven below | Manufacture of Equipment ‘ewtic ald Disitatin clames ‘ecttene eee ete ered fen for sulphuric os Aerpates ere Aapleties | | Pipes ies reason Crystalliser for eee eae ects pelea ie i sulphete eee el | eee ee phosphate treotmenteystems. JAmmonium | Crysler, ppolines. eee ery |||) rete cod pet en eed exits otk (rom coke) | vere eee caer eee eee eet hie pecker ee eee thesis Pipelines end recast uepevieracs arte. Cetophane Desulphurising bath Gini ocd Dissohving ten. | Fatty acids, Reactor and containers for | eee edn etene fee oeseeb ees ee eee Norochospicis || Petes ord eters ite aieae ete onal ced Discoving tents. Phenel eee erie process Phosphoric acid | jeter pipelines, ters Phtcnbyaride | Distiltin clus Polyvinyl alcohol | Reactor, Rayon Equipment in contact with ee pele) || soldat nee eel eee espeeeeseees | ge tne sere eee tall (Cerise fo ee tl Parts of dtiloionclvmne. Tartaricecid | Evaporetors,ogtotor, centrifuges and pipelines in the terete! Uranium exide | aghtor, nection tubes beeen) | nears geo ents aoe Products HOT ROLLED PLATE Dimensions according to Avesta Sheffield AB’s manufacturing programme, ‘COLD ROLLED SHEET AND PLATE (KBR) Dimensions according to Avesta Sheffield AB's manufacturing programme, ‘COLD ROLLED SHEET AND COIL Dimensions according to Avesta Sheffield AB's ‘manufacturing programme, BAR AND FORGINGS ‘Shapes and sizes on request. WELDED TUBE AND PIPE ‘Manufactured by AST (Avesta Sandvik Tube AB), ‘Sweden, FITTINGS ‘Welding fittings, threaded fitings and flanges are ‘manufactured by Calamo Nords AB, Molkom, Sweden, and Avesta ABE AB, Ornskoldsvik, Sweden. WELDING CONSUMABLES Covered electrodes and welding wire of type Avesta ‘904L are produced by Avesta Welding AB, Avesta, Sweden,