When sourcing high-performance stainless steel materials for highly corrosive chemical environments, marine conditions, or offshore operations, price is often only one part of the decision-making process. If low-cost bars fail under harsh chloride-rich or acidic conditions, the consequences can include production shutdowns, maintenance losses, and expensive replacement costs. For this reason, an increasing number of EPC contractors, pressure vessel manufacturers, and petrochemical buyers are turning to 904 stainless steel round bars despite their relatively high market prices.
So, in today's market, what is the actual price per kilogram of 904 stainless steel round bar? More importantly, what factors truly determine its pricing in real-world procurement? And how can buyers effectively reduce purchasing risks while still ensuring compliance with quality standards?
What is a 904 Stainless Steel Round Bar?
904 stainless steel round bar is a high-alloy austenitic stainless steel material that exhibits excellent resistance to sulfuric acid, chloride pitting, crevice corrosion, and stress corrosion cracking. It is commonly referred to as UNS N08904, ASTM A276 904L round bar, or EN 1.4539 stainless steel bar. Compared to standard 304 or 316L stainless steels, 904 stainless steel contains significantly higher levels of nickel, molybdenum, and copper, which greatly enhances its corrosion resistance in highly corrosive environments.
904 Stainless Steel Round Bar Price Per Kg
For bulk and wholesale industrial orders, the price of 904L stainless steel round bars typically ranges from USD 2.00 to USD 10.50 per kilogram. However, for small retail quantities or precision-cut orders, prices can rise significantly, reaching USD 36.00 to USD 83.00 per kilogram, depending on factors such as surface finish, exact specifications, and country of origin.
Industrial market prices fluctuate with raw material costs, particularly nickel and molybdenum. The average market pricing can generally be categorized by purchasing level as follows:
Wholesale & mill-direct orders (MOQ >50–1000 kg):USD 1.90 – 3.00/kg
Standard industrial-grade round bars (OEM bundle packaging):USD 6.50 – 9.50/kg
Premium-grade cold drawn / polished round bars:USD 10.00 – 13.00/kg
Small retail quantities / precision cut-to-length orders:USD 35.00 – 80.00+/kg
Key Factors Affecting the Price
Order Quantity:
The minimum order quantity (MOQ) has a significant impact on the unit price per kilogram. Ordering a single 12-foot bar will result in a much higher unit cost compared to purchasing one metric ton (1,000 kg).
Surface Finish:
Black finish or hot-rolled bars are generally the most economical options. In contrast, cold drawn, polished, or centerless ground bars require additional processing costs, which increases the final price.
Certification Requirements:
Additional certification requirements, such as compliance with specific inspection standards (for example, EN 10204 3.1 Mill Test Certificates) or NACE compliance for oil and gas applications, will also increase the base price.
Are you looking for bars in specific diameters and lengths for your project, or would you like a quotation for bulk procurement?
Why is 904L more expensive than 316L?
The price of 904L is significantly higher than that of 316L (typically costing 60% to 100% more); whereas 316L contains only 10%–14% nickel and 2%–3% molybdenum, 904L incorporates a higher proportion of expensive raw materials, such as nickel (23%–28%) and molybdenum (4%–5%). Furthermore, the composition of 904L includes copper; consequently, its manufacturing process is more complex, and it presents significantly greater challenges in terms of machining.
The price of 316L stainless steel round bar also showed an upward trend, but the increase was relatively moderate. It increased from 2.30 USD/kg in January to 2.80 USD/kg in May, with an overall increase of 0.50 USD/kg, or 21.7%. The monthly price increase was relatively stable, ranging from 0.10 to 0.20 USD/kg. This stable price increase is mainly due to the steady growth of market demand and the gradual increase of raw material prices.
904 Stainless Steel Round Bar Supplier
We offer high-precision tolerances-specifically grades h8 and h9-suitable for CNC machining applications. Every bar exceeding 50 mm in diameter undergoes 100% Ultrasonic Testing (UT) to ensure it is entirely free of internal defects. We provide custom cut-to-length, centerless grinding, and specialized surface polishing services, capable of achieving a mirror-finish grade of up to 8K. All shipments are accompanied by a Mill Test Certificate (MTC) Version 3.1, compliant with the EN 10204 standard, which provides a detailed record of the product's chemical composition and physical properties.
UNS N08904 Stainless Steel Bar Specifications
| Feature | Details |
| Standard | ASTM A276 / ASTM A479 / EN 10088-3 |
| UNS Designation | UNS N08904 (904L) |
| Common Length | 3000mm – 6000mm (Fixed or Random lengths) |
| End Finish | Plain ends, Beveled ends, or Chamfered ends |
| Condition | Solution Annealed (Condition A) |
| Testing | PMI, UT (Ultrasonic), Mechanical Test, Intergranular Corrosion Test |
UNS N08904 Stainless Steel Bar Types
| Product Form | Manufacturing Process | Diameter Range (mm) | Tolerance | Surface Finish |
| Cold Drawn Bar | Cold Drawing / Solution Annealing | 2.0 mm – 100 mm | h8, h9, h10, h11 | Bright, Polished, or Smooth |
| Hot Rolled Bar | Hot Rolling / Annealing / Pickling | 15 mm – 200 mm | ASTM A484 / DIN 1013 | Black or Acid Pickled |
| Peeled / Turned Bar | Machining from Hot Rolled Bar | 20 mm – 300 mm | k12, h11, h12 | Bright (Peeled) |
| Forged Bar | Forging / Rough Machining | 200 mm – 500 mm | +/- 2.0mm to 5.0mm | Black or Rough Turned |
| Centerless Ground | Precision Grinding | 5 mm – 60 mm | h8, h9 | Mirror-like / Super Smooth |
