The morphology and composition of 409L hot rolling scratch defects were analyzed by SEM and EDS.Combined with the defect occurrence characteristics and process analysis,the mechanism of defect generation was defined,the reduc-tion of C and N content led to the low temperature strength of 409L.Under the current process conditions,the pressure of the pinch roll on the strip steel in 409L finishing rolling was greater than its yield strength,which was more likely to pro-duce scratches caused by sticky roll.