Reliable Pipes & Tubes is a leading supplier, stockist, and exporter of high-purity Ss 1.4404 / 1.4435 grade (EN standard 316L equivalents) products. Both grades are low-carbon molybdenum-bearing austenitic stainless steels designed to offer outstanding resistance to pitting, crevice corrosion, and intergranular corrosion. While they are highly similar, European standards make a strict distinction between the two, with 1.4435 serving as a high-molybdenum and high-nickel upgrade for the most demanding sanitary and high-purity processing sectors.
We supply Ss 1.4404 / 1.4435 pipes, sheets, plates, and custom-fabricated items with full material traceability (EN 10204 3.1 certificates). Our pharma-line and sanitary grade products are controlled to maintain low delta ferrite levels (<0.5% or <3%) to ensure electropolishability (Ra < 0.4µm) and eliminate the risk of rouging in high-purity water (WFI) loops.
Email us Whatsapp us Call usUnder the European Norm (EN) system, both 1.4404 and 1.4435 fall under the class of 316L austenitic stainless steel (UNS S31603 / TP316L). However, key differences in chemical composition lead to different performance profiles:
| Element | EN 1.4404 (%) | EN 1.4435 (%) | Key Differences |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carbon (C) | ≤0.030% | ≤0.030% | Same (Low carbon limits carbide precipitation) |
| Silicon (Si) | ≤1.00% | ≤1.00% | Same |
| Manganese (Mn) | ≤2.00% | ≤2.00% | Same |
| Phosphorus (P) | ≤0.045% | ≤0.045% | Same |
| Sulfur (S) | ≤0.015% | ≤0.015% | Same (Low sulfur for optimal polishability) |
| Chromium (Cr) | 16.50 – 18.50% | 17.00 – 19.00% | 1.4435 is slightly higher |
| Molybdenum (Mo) | 2.00 – 2.50% | 2.50 – 3.00% | 1.4435 has higher Mo (Better pitting resistance) |
| Nickel (Ni) | 10.00 – 13.00% | 12.50 – 15.00% | 1.4435 has higher Ni (Stable austenite structure) |
| Nitrogen (N) | ≤0.11% | ≤0.11% | Same |
| Iron (Fe) | 62.80 – 71.50% | 59.80 – 68.00% | Balance |
| Mechanical Property | EN 1.4404 (316L) | EN 1.4435 (316L) |
|---|---|---|
| Brinell Hardness (HB) | 190 to 270 | 190 |
| Elastic Modulus (GPa) | 200 | 200 |
| Elongation at Break (%) | 14 to 43% | 43% |
| Fatigue Strength (MPa) | 220 to 320 | 220 |
| Impact Strength (Charpy V-Notch, J) | 91 to 93 | 90 |
| Poisson's Ratio | 0.28 | 0.28 |
| Shear Modulus (GPa) | 78 | 78 |
| Shear Strength (MPa) | 420 to 550 | 420 |
| Tensile Strength (UTS, MPa) | 600 to 900 | 610 |
| Yield Strength (Proof, MPa) | 240 to 570 | 240 |
| Thermal / Physical Property | EN 1.4404 | EN 1.4435 |
|---|---|---|
| Density (g/cm³) | 7.9 | 7.9 |
| Latent Heat of Fusion (J/g) | 290 | 290 |
| Max Temp: Corrosion (°C) | 410 | 420 |
| Max Temp: Mechanical (°C) | 950 | 980 |
| Melting Completion (Liquidus, °C) | 1440 | 1440 |
| Melting Onset (Solidus, °C) | 1400 | 1400 |
| Specific Heat Capacity (J/kg-K) | 470 | 470 |
| Thermal Conductivity (W/m-K) | 15 | 15 |
| Thermal Expansion (μm/m-K) | 16 | 16 |
| Electrical Conductivity (% IACS) | 2.3 (Volume), 2.6 (Weight) | 2.3 (Volume), 2.6 (Weight) |
| Thermal Diffusivity (mm²/s) | 4.0 | 4.0 |
| Thermal Shock Resistance | 13 to 20 | 14 |
| Property / Metric | EN 1.4404 | EN 1.4435 |
|---|---|---|
| PREN (Pitting Resistance) | 26 | 28 |
| Resilience: Ultimate (MJ/m³) | 110 to 210 | 210 |
| Resilience: Unit Modulus (kJ/m³) | 140 to 800 | 150 |
| Stiffness to Weight: Axial / Bending | 14 / 25 points | 14 / 25 points |
| Strength to Weight: Axial | 21 to 32 points | 21 points |
| Strength to Weight: Bending | 20 to 26 points | 20 points |
| Embodied Carbon (kg CO₂/kg) | 3.8 | 4.1 |
| Embodied Energy (MJ/kg) | 52 | 57 |
| Embodied Water (L/kg) | 150 | 160 |
We recommend selecting the material grade based on your specific media and process requirements:
1.4435 requires a higher minimum concentration of Nickel (up to 15.0%) and Molybdenum (up to 3.00%). The increased cost of these raw alloying elements results in a slightly higher base price (approx. 21% relative vs 19% relative for 1.4404).
Delta ferrite particles act as initiation sites for "rouging" (reddish surface rust) in high-purity water loops. High nickel stabilization in 1.4435 keeps ferrite levels near-zero (<0.5%), ensuring superior corrosion resistance and a smoother surface finish after electropolishing.
Yes, EN 1.4435 is widely used to comply with ASME BPE SF1 and SF4 pharmaceutical dimensional and surface finish specifications, providing the ultimate hygienic design.