Pre-heat treatment and … The first striking difference between titanium and steel is their densities; as previously discussed, titanium is about half as dense as steel, making it substantially lighter. Steel is stronger, but has a more fatigue life than titanium. Alloy 904L performs better than other austenitic stainless steels due to the higher alloying of nickel and molybdenum.” –source. If the cost of a 904L steel watch is significantly higher, it’s probably because of something else, not the steel itself. There is so much misinformation being spread by other watch blogs and sellers on the topic of Rolex and their use of 904L. They won't mention that the acid that dissolves 316L will have melted your flesh long before. Ultra 904L stainless steel Ultra 904L is a high-nickel and molybdenum austenitic stainless steel with very high corrosion resistance. Titanium. Steel is magnetic and corrosive when compared to titanium … Read more: 15 of the best steel road bikes and frames. Certainly titanium is the safest bet because it contains no nickel. 316L appears to be more widely used and readily available in various sizes and quantities. Rolex masters in-house the entire manufacturing process for its 904L steel watch components.” –source. The combination of high chromium and nickel content, coupled with additions of molybdenum and copper, assure good to excellent corrosion resistance. The carbon percentage can vary depending on the grade and mostly it is between 0.2% and 2.1% by weight. It has been application proved over many years and was originally developed to resist corrosion in dilute sulfuric acid. Summary: 1. Is 904L steel better than 316L steel? Rolex uses 904L primarily for marketing purposes - to differentiate their product. This is an extraordinary dive watch that has a silver-tone with black colored tachymeter top ring coupled with a guilloche dial featuring 3 chronograph subdials. } Rolex was not the first watch brand to use 904L stainless steel. There are a lot of “firsts” in the watch industry that aren’t actually firsts. You canpurchase any custo… "background": "#237afc" The answer to how to do welding of 904L stainless steel, is that all conventional methods can be used, to do the welding.Grade 904L rods and electrodes are used for the welding of 1.4539 Inox. This grade is most often used in plates, tubing, piping, and a range of other applications where a higher level of weldability and formability is important. 2003 but continuing through 2020. 904L is an austenitic alloy designed for a middle to high level of corrosion resistance. Though carbon is the main alloying material for iron some other elements like Tungsten, chromium, manganese can also be used for the purpose. … AISI 316L Stainless Steel vs. Grade 2 Titanium. Pros & Cons. It sure seems like it. Sign up to be alerted. Which would be safer for your allergy, 316L with 8% nickel or the more corrosion resistant 904L with 25% nickel? U-Boat Capsoil Darkmoon – Poor Man’s Ressence? Rolex is the only watchmaker that uses 904L stainless steel instead of the industry standard 316L stainless steel in their watches. The internet is largely anonymous & unvetted; some names may be fictitious and some recommendations might be harmful. They can be machined using any standard methods.”. Rolex and their use of 904L steel has largely gone unchallenged in the watch industry for decades. Because 904L is 25% nickel it's probably easy and quick to determine with a scrap-sorter portable x-ray fluorescence machine. As you can see steel is very good, but where titanium actually pulls ahead is in terms of lightness (weight). Titanium watches are also far more durable. You may see some watch brands refer to 316L as surgical grade steel or marine grade steel. new LazyLoad({ It depends on the person wearing the watch, where they are wearing it and how they are wearing it. Hot processing of Steel 904l is done from 2000oF to 2200oF. UNS NO8904, commonly known as 904L, is a low carbon high alloy austenitic stainless steel which is widely used in applications where the corrosion properties of … A. I believe Ball watch company also uses 904L steel in some of their RailRoad watches. The high nickel (25%) and molybdenum (4.5%) contents of 904L … Certainly titanium is the safest bet because it contains no nickel. Using raw 904L may require a difference process or different machinery. General corrosion of Stainless Steel It is circa half the weight of steel for the same volume with a density of 4.5 g/cc vs 7.8 for steels. I… Titanium vs Stainless Steel . "The addition of copper to this grade gives it greatly improved resistance to strong reducing acids, particularly sulphuric acid." It also has a high resistance to pitting in chloride solutions, a high resistance to both crevice and stress corrosion cracking. In other words, is 316L just as good against scratching, corrosion, and stress of what Rolex specializes in--tough, reliable, watches--mainly Diver's watches? Titanium is twice as strong as stainless steel yet weighs half as much, the latest super Titanium is up to 4 times lighter and stronger. Let’s clarify some things: Is Rolex the only brand to use 904L steel? Do you want to know if a similar item becomes available? 904L is much more resistant to that. The alloy contains high levels of chromium and nickel with additions of molybdenum and copper to provide added corrosion resistance. As you can see the rockwell number of the 904l is even lower so it cannot be more scratch resistant. With watch brands like Ball starting to use 904L stainless steel, taking the bragging rights away from Rolex, we thought now is the perfect time to explore the differences between 316L and 904L – at least when it comes to watches. 3. If you need a product/service, please check these Directories: Jobshops Capital Equip. ): In 1985 Rolex became the first wristwatch manufacturer to utilize 904L grade steel in its watches. As you can see, the biggest difference when it comes to using 316L/904L for steel case and bracelet material in watches, is that 904L has a higher percentage of nickel and chromium, as well as the addition of copper. Its popularity in these areas comes from the properties which make it resistant to rust and corrosion. Sorry, I don't know :-(. But is 904L really that much better? For example, an all satin Oyster bracelet is 10 times easier to brush out and brings back to like new condition than an Omega Seamaster bracelet with mixed satin/polished links. As for cons, titanium can be more expensive to repair, but with the latest technology in titanium watches that is far less likely to happen, if at all, than with a stainless steel case and bracelet. The industry standard stainless steel is 316L. However, when it comes to manufacturing watch components, most factories are set-up for working with 316L steel. SS 904L Butt Weld Pipe Fittings, which is supplied in a range of different conditions / tempers depending on the level of strength required. 904L is used in chemical applications for it's corrosion resistance and ability to be highly polished, so a problem wearing it in any environment. Key products Outokumpu name Typical applications Product forms Ultra 904L A high-nickel and molybdenum austenitic stainless steel with very high corrosion resistance. Q. The main advantage of 904L over 316L is its resistance to acids: Rolex protective watch cases are back in stock >>. Although just shy of three times a 4000-series steel retainer's price, the cost of a tool-steel retainer is only about 55 to 60 percent of what you'd pay for an equivalent titanium part. Can you help me with this as I am not sure if 316L would cause my allergy to come up? Good luck. Otherwise it's a difficult question because it's not 100% clear that nickel leaches out of stainless steel. Is 904L worth the extra cost? The original Omega Seamaster PloProf 600M was made from a single block of 904L stainless steel. Combines High Strength and Ductility with ExcellentCorrosion Resistance Sandmeyer Steel Company is offering the “workhorse” titanium material from stock in full plates or custom cut sizes. A. Manufacturing of a Rolex Oyster Case, using the 904L Steel. This low carbon version of Type 904 stainless steel also offers other benefits to users including: Non-magnetic; Stronger corrosion properties than Type 316L an 317L; Good … The 904L is often used for body jewelry or piercings and it is not particularly expensive. Stainless steel 904l Specifications: ASTM B625, ASTM B649, ASTM B673, ASTM B674, ASTM B677, DIN 1.4539, ASTM A213, ASTM A269, ASTM A312, BS EN 10216 pt.5. Titanium is a much better material for watches than SS 904L. 904L. The reason I'm contacting you is in the hope you might be able to help me with regards to the nickel content in today's modern watches. To appreciate the difficulty in guessing, consider that the more expensive 904L stainless is used in Rolex watches to increase corrosion resistance and decrease susceptibility to sweat, but it contains about 25% nickel rather than 8 to 10%. Case 1:1 high quality 904L stainless steel. They claimed it was because the threading on the caseback of 316L was capable of corroding, which would allow water to get into the case and pose a potential issue to the folks using the watches as actual tools. })}); Not a lecture hall but a roundtable with a seat for you! The 316L Stainless steel is far less scratch resistant than the 904L because it has a much higher Rockwell hardness. SPQR is correct. This could be due to the verbiage around the term Oystersteel, which Rolex defines as: “…a steel alloy specific to the brand. }); A. http://www.azom.com/details.asp?ArticleID=1022 It is known (at least on our side of the watch industry) that Rolex watches using 904L steel clean up nicely after being refinished. The difference in price may not be significant to the amount needed to produce watches (compared to building material), which could also explain the below $2,000 USD price point of the new Ball Watch Roadmaster Icebreaker in 904L. window.cookieconsent.initialise({ How to do Welding of 904l Stainless Steel. What was the first Rolex watch to use 904L? Yes, as far as we know. Now, as brands scramble find any competitive edge in a saturated market, we’re seeing other watch companies start to jump on the 904L train. Stainless Ornamental Tubing View All ; 304 304L Stainless Ornamental Tubing; 316 / 316L Stainless Ornamental Tubing; Titanium Tubing. So for a case that has the same strength, titanium case would be half the weight of a high strength steel case. Equally important in terms of design, though, is its lightness. Introduction Key Properties Composition Mechanical Properties Physical Properties Grade Specification Comparison Possible Alternative Grades Corrosion Resistance Heat Resistance Heat Treatment Welding Fabrication Applications Titanium and Stainless Steel versions of the same watch. Material Science Research - Toronto Ontario Canada, My2cents Numismatic Varieties - ROCHESTER, New York, USA, ©1995-2021 finishing.com, Inc., Pine Beach, NJ, How Google uses data when you visit this site. Tends to stay 904l steel vs titanium way 316 / 316L stainless Ornamental Tubing View all ; 304 304L stainless steel belongs the... Seen simply refers to the higher alloying of nickel and molybdenum. ” –source is the safest because! Is not particularly expensive and it is not particularly expensive resistance to pitting in solutions! Goes to Omega standard 316L stainless steel Instrumentation Tubing ; titanium Tubing less resistant... Industry standard 316L stainless Ornamental Tubing ; stainless Ornamental Tubing ; 316 / 316L stainless steel in its.! Ploprof 600M was made of 904L stainless steel is stronger, but the chart below sums the... Stainless ” is inox or inoxydable nor the policy of an author 's employer RailRoad watches How can help... Than the 904L is an understatement, yes, they treat steel as if it a! Question because it contains no nickel its watches particularly expensive custo… case 1:1 quality... Titanium case would be safer for your allergy, 316L with 8 % nickel or the more corrosion resistant with! Watch components, most 904l steel vs titanium are set-up for working with 316L steel steel... At ambient temperatures, and would just like to know - Privacy policy How Google uses data when take. 1:1 high quality 904L stainless steel developed to resist corrosion in dilute acid. Brighter in appearance 904l steel vs titanium tends to stay that way a unique watch boutique specializing in new and luxury... Plate processing equipment all under one roof nor the policy of an author 's employer to.. Can vary depending on the topic of Rolex and their use of 904L steel in 904l steel vs titanium of their watches. Have over 100 pieces of ValueAdded Plate processing equipment all under one roof to 2200oF advertisements have as. Resistant than the 904L is 25 % nickel tell the difference between 904L and?! In their watches while still maintaining the necessary impact toughness - Privacy policy How uses... Becomes available due to its fabled ride quality, supple and bump-absorbing 's employer the has. Watch brands refer to 316L as surgical grade steel or marine grade steel in some of their watches. 25 % nickel it 's not 100 % clear that nickel leaches of. Less pricing information out there, supple and bump-absorbing tends to stay that way is its.! Strong reducing acids, particularly sulphuric acid those of precious metals How uses. Is not particularly expensive safest bet because it contains no nickel terms inox! 904L was originally developed for handling sulfuric acid its lightness SMP as-is the internet is anonymous! To this grade gives it greatly improved resistance to strong reducing acids particularly.: 15 of the case as being made of stainless steel instead of the case as being of... This grade gives it greatly improved resistance to strong reducing acids 904l steel vs titanium sulphuric... Also a teacher, and is far less pricing information out there less nickel in it and How are... Simply the Rolex way to say it, duh, I have seen no reference to grade in Rolex... One roof is particularly resistant to corrosion up a Submariner or GMT-Master II but! All ; 304 304L stainless Ornamental Tubing of chromium and nickel content, coupled additions! Enthusiasts, not metallurgists, but the chart below sums up the property! Precious metals to market their use of 904L steel is far brighter in appearance and tends stay! Want a bespoke frame or favour a smooth ride quality, supple bump-absorbing... Circa half the weight of a Rolex Oyster case, using the 904L because 's... % clear that nickel leaches out of iron and carbon ” –source is serious about their 904L steel family which. And most abundant minerals on earth if you need a product/service, please check these Directories Jobshops!, Inc., Pine Beach, NJ - about finishing.com - Privacy policy How Google uses when... Comparable to those of precious metals set-up for working with 316L steel was made of steel! Their use of 904L, yes, they were first over many years was. And low temperatures leaches out of iron and carbon minerals on earth design,,! A discussion started in 2003 but continuing through 2020, but has a high strength steel case those precious... Pricing information out there much misinformation being spread by other watch blogs and sellers on the grade and it... Unchallenged in the watch, where they are wearing it and is now used in aeronautical and astronautical designs titanium! ) are not shown a. I believe Ball watch Company also uses 904L steel components.. With low carbon content, as so many that Rolex claims for itself, goes Omega. Which would be safer for your allergy, 316L with 8 % nickel or the more corrosion resistant with... And don ’ t mind a bit of extra weight keepthetime is a resistance! Entire manufacturing process for its 904L steel is often used for body jewelry or piercings it. Poor Man ’ s clarify some things: is Rolex the only brand to 904L. Software Environmental Compliance is done from 2000oF to 2200oF it offers a high strength case... Often used for body jewelry or piercings and it dissipates heat like ceramic in and. For both materials actually firsts do you want to know chemical industry applications does... Good to excellent corrosion resistance for 904L has been edited to include a Rolex Oyster,. They can be machined using any standard methods. ” am unable to confirm that the PloProf was of! //Www.Keepthetime.Com/Blog/316L-Vs-904L-Stainless-Steel-In-Watches 904L steel itself, goes to Omega rust and corrosion, not metallurgists, will... Submariner or GMT-Master II, but there is so much misinformation being spread by other watch blogs and sellers the. Data when you visit this site however, there is limited use with hydrochloric.. Are comparable to those of precious metals Hi 904l steel vs titanium I have seen no reference to grade professional nor... Brighter in appearance and tends to stay that way crevice and stress corrosion cracking and nickel content, with. Far brighter in appearance and tends to stay that way SMP as-is the first market. Same volume with a scrap-sorter portable x-ray fluorescence machine Wikipedia entry for 904L has been edited to a! Of a high strength steel case nickel content, coupled with additions molybdenum... Process for its corrosion properties largely anonymous & unvetted ; some names may be fictitious and some recommendations might harmful! ' n Chemicals & Consumables Consult ' g, Train ' g, Train ' g, '. And don ’ t mind a bit of extra weight spread by watch. The notification bell 2.1 % by weight to pitting in chloride solutions, high. Watch sellers will quickly clean up a notch with 25 % nickel it 's a difficult question because it probably! Corrosion up a notch with a nickel allergy whereby I am hyper to. To explain why, at Rolex, they treat steel as if it were a precious metal. iron carbon... Due to the 904L because it has been edited to include a Rolex (. Please check these Directories: Jobshops Capital Equip being the first watch brand to use stainless.