Skip to content
Home » What is “URANUS B6”? What is The Difference Between 1.4539 & 904L?

What is “URANUS B6”? What is The Difference Between 1.4539 & 904L?

    Some customers ask about the exact difference between 1.4539 & 904L when designing modern pipelines.You must understand these global material standards to purchase industrial piping correctly.Buyers frequently encounter terms like URANUS B6 on older factory blueprints.This guide clarifies these confusing metallurgical designations completely.We will explain these highly alloyed austenitic stainless steel clearly.

    What Exactly Is URANUS B6?

    URANUS B6 represents an old proprietary metallurgical trade name.A French metal corporation created this specific brand name decades ago.Today,the global steel industry simply calls this material 904L.It is a super austenitic stainless steel.It contains massive amounts of premium nickel and molybdenum.Engineers deliberately add copper to this alloy to resist severe sulfuric acid.This specific alloy features a PREN above 34.This high PREN value guarantees extreme durability in harsh chemical environments.You rarely see the name URANUS B6 on modern material test certificates today.

    What Actually Is The Difference Between 1.4539 & 904L?

    Let us clarify the primary difference between 1.4539 & 904L immediately.Absolutely no chemical or physical difference exists between these two materials.They represent the exact same high-performance metal alloy.The only distinction comes from global industrial naming systems.The ASTM uses the name 904L.The European EN standard system uses the number 1.4539.Chinese pipe manufacturers supply this exact same material globally under both names.

    Global Material Naming Systems

    Regional Standard SystemMetal DesignationCountry Or Region Of Origin
    ASTM / UNS904L / N08904United States
    EN / DIN1.4539 / X1NiCrMoCu25-20-5European Union
    Trade NameURANUS B6France (Historical)

    What We Do

    • Plate
    • Sheet
    • Forgings
    • Round Bar
    • Flange
    • Pipes
    • Fittings
    • Customized

    Contact Us For More Information 

    Chemical Composition Difference Between 1.4539 & 904L

    Before placing an order,buyers often wonder what the difference is between the chemical compositions of 1.4539 and 904L steel.In fact,the core chemical elements of these two steels are essentially the same,with no significant differences.The addition of copper gives this alloy exceptional properties:it effectively prevents strong acids from corroding the metal pipe walls,while the extremely low carbon content completely eliminates the risk of weld corrosion.

    ElementEN 10222-5 1.4539 (%)ASTM SA182 F904L (%)
    Carbon (C)≤ 0.020≤ 0.020
    Manganese (Mn)≤ 2.00≤ 2.00
    Phosphorus (P)≤ 0.030≤ 0.045
    Sulfur (S)≤ 0.010≤ 0.035
    Silicon (Si)≤ 0.70≤ 1.00
    Chromium (Cr)19.00 – 21.0019.00 – 23.00
    Nickel (Ni)24.00 – 26.0023.00 – 28.00
    Molybdenum (Mo)4.00 – 5.004.00 – 5.00
    Copper (Cu)1.20 – 2.001.00 – 2.00
    Nitrogen (N)≤ 0.15≤ 0.10

    Mechanical Properties Difference Between 1.4539 & 904L

    1.4539 and 904L also show virtually no difference in their physical properties;the test results merely confirm their equivalence.The tensile strength must be maintained at 490 MPa or higher at all times.These rigorous tests ensure that your stainless steel pipes comply with global standards.

    PropertyEN 10222-5 1.4539ASTM SA182 F904L
    Tensile Strength520 – 720 MPa≥490  MPa
    Yield Strength (0.2%)≥ 220 MPa≥ 215 MPa
    Elongation≥ 35%≥ 35%
    KAYSUNS SMLS PIPE ASTM A312 AISI 904L 21.3 x 2.77 x 6000MM HEAT NO ZJGF2506-527

    Global Sourcing And The Difference Between 1.4539 & 904L In Purchasing

    Understanding the difference between 1.4539 & 904L helps your purchasing department significantly.Many international buyers source high-quality stainless steel pipelines from global manufacturers.Kaysuns is a professional manufacturer of stainless steel pipes,pipe fittings,and SS flanges in China.Based on more than a decade of experience in manufacturing and import/export trade,we believe that if European customers specify 1.4539 stainless steel pipe,we can confidently supply 904L stainless steel pipe with the customer’s approval.All that is required is a dual-certification material test certificate.A dual-certification document lists both international standards.This simple administrative step can prevent significant delays at customs and in engineering projects.

    Applications of 1.4539 & 904L Stainless Steel Pipe

    FAQs About 1.4539 And 904L Stainless Steel

    Yes,they can be welded together perfectly.When their chemical compositions are exactly the same,the welded joint is very strong.

    These alloys contain large amounts of expensive nickel and molybdenum.These high-value chemical elements significantly increase the production costs of the raw materials.

    Absolutely.These special alloys are highly resistant to corrosion in warm seawater.They provide nearly complete protection against dangerous chloride pitting corrosion.

    Although they are interchangeable in 99% of engineering applications,there are some subtle differences between them and the text of regulatory standards regarding composition limits and minimum mechanical property requirements.
    MetricEN 1.4539 Standard LimitsASTM / UNS 904L Standard Limits
    Minimum NickelSlightly higher minimum requirement (~1% more).Broader,slightly more flexible range allowable.
    Phosphorus & SulfurStricter,lower maximum impurities allowed.Allows marginally higher maximum limits.
    Tensile StrengthMandates a slightly higher minimum tensile baseline.Slightly lower baseline minimum allowed.
    Most modern steel mills dual-certify their material as both 1.4539 and 904L by targeting a chemical makeup that satisfies the tightest constraints of both standards simultaneously.If you have a need for such stainless steel products,we are able to supply them and provide dual certification.Please feel free to contact us for a free,quick quote.

    Contact Us

    Get In Touch
    Find Us
    logo of Kaysuns

    Welcome to contact us

    Supplying of
    Stainless & Alloy Piping Material

    • Need an offer ?
    • Want to know the dimension / catalog ?
    • Talk about the technical issues ?

    Feel free to contact us, and we will be more than happy to answer all of your questions.

    Get a Free Quote Now

    small_c_popup.png

    Get a free Quote now

    Do you want to learn more? Contact us

    We will reply you in 24 hours. Thank you!