We price 904L stainless steel plate in 2025 typically between USD $6.5 and $12.0 per kilogram (≈ $6,500–$12,000 per tonne) for common plate thicknesses (3–12 mm) on an FOB-China basis; final landed cost will vary by region, thickness, surface finish, and order quantity. For small-lot, finished plates with heavy machining or special certification, buyers should expect premiums; large-volume orders and mill-direct buys reduce the unit price.

What 904L stainless steel is

We use the designation 904L (UNS N08904 / AISI 904L) to refer to a high-alloy austenitic stainless steel that was engineered for resistance to strongly reducing acids and chloride-bearing media. It contains significantly more nickel and molybdenum than standard 300-series grades and includes added copper to improve resistance to sulfuric acid-type environments. This combination gives 904L superior resistance to pitting, crevice corrosion, and stress-corrosion cracking compared with 316L and many other stainless grades.

Chemical composition & key mechanical attributes

Typical nominal composition (rounded ranges used by most mills):

• Chromium (Cr): ~19.5–21.5%

• Nickel (Ni): ~23–28%

• Molybdenum (Mo): ~4.0–5.0%

• Copper (Cu): ~1.0–2.0%

• Carbon (C): ≤0.02% (low-carbon variant for improved weldability)

• Iron (Fe): balance plus small amounts of Mn, Si, P, S, N.

Mechanically, 904L is ductile and retains toughness at lower temperatures. It is normally non-magnetic in the annealed condition and offers adequate yield/tensile properties for pressure vessel and structural uses. These material attributes increase raw-material cost relative to 300-series grades because nickel and molybdenum are expensive alloying elements.

Where 904L is used

We see 904L most often in:

• Chemical process equipment handling sulfuric, phosphoric, and acetic acids.

• Petrochemical and oil & gas components where chloride-induced corrosion or sour environments occur.

• Desalination and seawater systems requiring high pitting resistance.

• Flue gas desulfurization and other exhaust-treatment installations.

• High-end heat exchangers, tanks, and piping where extended service life justifies higher upfront cost.

Plate forms, thickness ranges, tolerances, and finishes

Common plate thicknesses we supply: 2 mm up to 100 mm, but typical commodity plates for industry range from 3 mm to 25 mm. Standard widths and lengths follow mill sizing (e.g., 1219×2438 mm or 1500×6000 mm) and are subject to cut-to-size and edge preparation charges. Surface finishes include hot-rolled (HR), cold-rolled (CR), 2B, BA, and pickled & passivated. Heavier machining or mirror polishing adds labor and cost. Mill certifications (EN, ASTM A240, or customer-specific inspection) will change lead times and price.

How 904L prices are formed — the core drivers

We break price formation into six categories:

1. Raw material basket — nickel and molybdenum dominate. Nickel price moves heavily influence 904L unit cost. Recent volatility in base metals increases quote volatility.

2. Form & thickness — plates require heavy slab rolling and thermal processing; thicker plates cost more per unit area and sometimes more per kilogram due to processing complexity.

3. Quantity and lot size — small orders pay steep premiums (per-kg goes up for samples / low-MOQ). Bulk orders lower the per-kg price.

4. Certifications and testing — PMI, mill test reports (MTR), third-party inspection, and traceability raise price. Pressure-vessel or nuclear certifications add more cost.

5. Supply chain & freight — container rates, port congestion, and insurance affect landed price; FOB numbers exclude these, CIF includes them.

6. Regional supply-demand balance — local production capacity, import tariffs, and currency swings produce geographic spreads.

Typical commercial terms and how quotations work

We price by weight (kg) or by the tonne for standard trading. Quotes can be given in several terms:

• EXW (Ex Works): price at seller’s factory — buyer covers loading, freight, and export procedures.

• FOB (Free On Board): seller loads goods to vessel at named port; common for mill-direct exports.

• CIF (Cost, Insurance, Freight): seller arranges shipping and insurance to buyer’s destination port — usually includes shipping premium.

Price breakdowns often distinguish between material cost, processing cost (cutting/edge finishing/polishing), testing & certification, and logistics & packaging. Buyers should always request the price basis, surface finish, tolerances, MOQ, and MTR availability in the same quotation to compare offers fairly.

2025 global price comparison

Note: the table below shows representative ranges in 2025; specific bids vary by thickness, certification, order volume, and market movement. We assembled this snapshot from multiple industry listings and supplier quotes to illustrate regional spreads.

How to interpret the table: select pricing nearest your purchase scenario (FOB vs CIF, small sample vs bulk) and add local duties, inland freight, and handling to reach landed cost. Markets can move rapidly; the ranges above are representative, not fixed.

Practical pricing examples

We give three realistic purchase examples to make the abstract numbers concrete:

• Sample order: 50 kg, 2B finish, cut-to-size, standard MTR, EXW-China: expect near the upper bound per-kg due to small volume handling fees (roughly $9–$12/kg).

• Project lot: 1 tonne (1000 kg), 6 mm plate, pickled & passivated, MTR, FOB-China: mid-range pricing around $7.0–$8.5/kg.

• Large procurement: 10+ tonnes, repeated supply agreement, specified mechanical testing and third-party inspection: possible to negotiate below $7.0/kg (dependant on nickel price and contract terms).

Quality, certifications, testing and why they add cost

We insist on at least mill test reports (MTR / EN10204 3.1 or equivalent) for critical uses. Additional testing that raises price: PMI/chemical analysis, tensile and hardness tests, ultrasonic or radiographic inspection for thick plates, and third-party inspection (e.g., Lloyd’s, DNV). When life-safety or pressure equipment rules apply, a full documentation package and traceability chain are essential, and buyers should budget a premium.

Supplier selection: what we screen for (short checklist)

When choosing a 904L plate supplier, we evaluate:

• Mill source and capacity (can they supply consistently?)

• Available grades and surface finish options.

• MTR and testing capability.

• Past experience supplying your industry (chemical, desalination, petrochemical).

• Lead time reliability and logistics partners.

• Warranty, acceptance testing, and rejection clauses.

A supplier that offers transparent mill origins and testing reduces procurement risk even when their nominal price is modestly higher.

Logistics and lead-time realities in 2025

Lead times vary. In-stock plate from large Asian mills can ship in 2–6 weeks. Custom-rolled or heavily tested plates may require 8–16 weeks. Shipping delays, customs slowdowns, and certification backlogs create occasional spikes in lead time and price. Buyers should plan for contingency inventory when project timelines are tight.

How we price at MWalloys

We price transparently by separating line items: base material, processing (cutting, edge prep, finish), testing & certification, packaging, and shipping. We provide MTR with each lot, and we offer third-party inspection on request. For long-term customers we propose framework agreements to stabilize pricing and delivery cadence. We can produce tailored quotes with sample images, processing photos, and inspection records when requested. (Internal note: this paragraph reflects how we operate and can be adapted into the company website’s product page.)

Negotiation and buying tactics that save money

We recommend the following tactics that work in practice:

• Consolidate orders to hit mill MOQs and reduce per-kg premiums.

• Accept standard mill finishes rather than custom polishing when possible.

• If certification is not critical, ask for a basic MTR instead of extended test packages.

• Request multi-month pricing windows in framework contracts to smooth nickel-related volatility.

• Consider partial payment milestones (deposit + balance at shipment) to lock prices.

Each tactic changes supplier risk and should be used according to project tolerance for variability.

Environmental & handling notes (storage, welding, and fabrication)

904L welds readily with common techniques (TIG, MIG); low carbon minimizes carbide precipitation in weld heat-affected zones. Post-weld annealing is typically not necessary for corrosion resistance but pickling and passivation after welding are recommended. For long-term storage, keep plates dry and off concrete; consider VCI paper or coated packing if shipped long distances.

FAQs

Q1 — Is 904L worth the premium over 316L or duplex grades?
Short answer: it depends on the environment and life-cycle priorities. We advise 904L when acid resistance (sulfuric systems), chloride pitting resistance, or long-term service in seawater-like environments is required. For many saltwater applications duplex stainless steels can be cost-competitive, but 904L retains advantages in specific acid media. Evaluate total cost of ownership rather than upfront price alone.

Q2 — How do thickness and surface finish change the price?
Thicker plates are more costly per piece and sometimes slightly more per kilogram due to additional rolling and processing steps. Premium surface finishes (BA, mirror polish) and cut-to-size work add labor costs. Ask suppliers for a price break-down by thickness band.

Q3 — What tests should I insist on for pressure-vessel use?
Minimum: MTR (chemical & mechanical), tensile and yield values, and impact testing per code if specified. For pressure-vessel service, ultrasonic or radiographic testing may be required depending on design code—these tests raise the total procurement cost.

Q4 — Can I buy small samples for qualification?
Yes — most suppliers will sell sample plates, but expect higher per-kg rates for small lots due to handling and remnant-material considerations. Negotiate sample price into a larger follow-up purchase when possible.

Q5 — Why do quoted prices vary so much between suppliers?
Differences come from supply chain positioning (mill vs stockist), whether the price is FOB or CIF, included testing, and how current metal markets are priced into the offer. Also, exchange rates and local import duties create noticeable regional spreads. Always compare fully-burdened landed cost, not only base unit prices.