What is 1.4404 casting equivalent to?

When sourcing stainless steel materials, many buyers ask: "What is the casting equivalent of EN 1.4404 (316L) stainless steel?"Understanding the difference between wrought vs. casting grades helps you select the right material for your project. This article explains the equivalents, key properties, and answers common questions buyers have.

 

1. What is EN 1.4404 Stainless Steel?

EN 1.4404 is the European designation for AISI 316L stainless steel, a low-carbon austenitic stainless steel. It contains 16–18% chromium, 10–14% nickel, and 2–2.5% molybdenum, giving it excellent resistance to pitting, crevice corrosion, and weld decay.It is widely used in chemical processing, marine structures, food equipment, and medical devices.

 

2. What is the Casting Equivalent of 1.4404?

The casting equivalent of 1.4404 (316L) is generally 1.4409 (EN) or CF3M (ASTM A743 / A744).

Wrought Grade	Casting Equivalent	Standard
1.4404 (316L)	1.4409 / CF3M	EN / ASTM

This means if your project requires cast components instead of rolled or forged products, you can choose 1.4409 or CF3M for the same level of corrosion resistance.

 

What are the main differences between 1.4404 and 1.4409?

Property	1.4404 (316L Wrought)	1.4409 (316L Casting)
Product Form	Plates, coils, pipes, bars	Valves, pumps, fittings, complex shapes
Carbon Content	≤0.03%	≤0.03%
Corrosion Resistance	Excellent	Excellent
Mechanical Properties	Slightly higher	Slightly lower due to casting structure
Applications	Tanks, pipelines, sheet metal	Pump bodies, valve casings, impellers

 

Q1: Is 1.4409 the same as 1.4404?
No, 1.4409 is not the same as 1.4404. Both are austenitic stainless steels, but 1.4409 typically has slightly higher molybdenum content and stricter alloy control, leading to better mechanical strength (e.g., tensile strength around 520–720 MPa vs. 500–700 MPa for 1.4404) and enhanced corrosion resistance, especially in harsh environments like urea processing or nuclear applications.

 

Q2: What is CF3M compared to 316L?
CF3M is the ASTM casting grade equivalent of 316L, providing excellent corrosion resistance.

 

Q3: Which has better mechanical strength, 1.4404 or 1.4409?
1.4409 has higher mechanical strength than 1.4404. Typically, 1.4404 has a tensile strength of 500-700 MPa and a yield strength of 205 MPa or higher. 1.4409, on the other hand, has a higher tensile strength of 520-720 MPa and a yield strength of 210 MPa or higher, enhancing its resistance to deformation under stress.

 

Q4: Where is 1.4409 (CF3M) used most often?
In pump bodies, valves, flanges, and cast fittings where complex geometry is required.

 

The casting equivalent of 1.4404 stainless steel (316L) is 1.4409 / CF3M. While both grades share nearly identical chemical composition and corrosion resistance, the choice depends on whether you need rolled/wrought products or cast parts.
At Gnee, we supply both 1.4404 stainless steel plates, pipes, and coils, as well as 1.4409 castings for valves, pumps, and custom fittings. Contact us today to get a competitive quote tailored to your project.Email: sales@gneestainless.com