Views: 16 Author: Site Editor Publish Time: 2025-05-05 Origin: Site
316 stainless steel is a molybdenum-bearing chromium-nickel stainless steel. It builds upon the standard 304 stainless steel by adding molybdenum (Mo), typically at a content of around 2%. The addition of molybdenum enhances the material's resistance to pitting and crevice corrosion caused by chlorides, making it suitable for marine environments or chemical plants with high chloride ion concentrations. Due to the addition of molybdenum, 316 stainless steel exhibits particularly good corrosion resistance, atmospheric corrosion resistance, and high-temperature strength, allowing it to be used in harsh conditions. It also has excellent work hardening properties (non-magnetic). The carbon content of 316 stainless steel generally does not exceed 0.08%, the chromium content is approximately 16-18%, the nickel content is around 10%, and it also contains small amounts of silicon, manganese, sulfur, and phosphorus.
CHEMICAL | LIMITS | C | Mn | P | S | Si | Ni | Cr | Mo |
316 | MIN | 11.00 | 16.00 | 2.00 | |||||
MAX | 0.080 | 2.00 | 0.045 | 0.030 | 1.00 | 14.00 | 18.00 | 3.00 |
Good corrosion resistance: Exhibits excellent performance in various corrosive media, particularly in general atmospheric and mild industrial environments.
Excellent pitting corrosion resistance: Its resistance to pitting corrosion in chloride-containing environments is significantly superior to that of 304 stainless steel.
Good high-temperature strength: Maintains good strength even in high-temperature environments.
Good weldability: Can be welded using standard welding methods.
Potential for intergranular corrosion after welding: Welding thicker components without post-weld annealing may reduce corrosion resistance.
Continuous use within the range of 427°C-857°C (800°F-1575°F) may affect corrosion resistance.
Generally slightly lower in cost than 316L, but the total cost may increase if post-weld annealing is required.
316L (where 'L' stands for Low Carbon) is a variation of 316 stainless steel. Its main difference lies in its lower carbon content, typically not exceeding 0.03%, which helps reduce the risk of inter-granular corrosion during welding. Due to this lower carbon content, 316L can maintain good corrosion resistance even after welding. Furthermore, under certain specific conditions (such as after heat treatment), 316L may exhibit even better corrosion resistance.
CHEMICAL | LIMITS | C | Mn | P | S | Si | Ni | Cr | Mo |
316L | MIN | 10.00 | 16.00 | 2.00 | |||||
MAX | 0.035 | 2.00 | 0.045 | 0.030 | 1.00 | 14.00 | 18.00 | 3.00 |
Superior welding performance: Low carbon content significantly reduces the risk of intergranular corrosion during welding, and post-weld annealing is usually not required.
Better corrosion resistance (after welding): Especially in welded structures, it can better maintain corrosion resistance.
May exhibit better corrosion resistance in certain specific corrosive environments.
Slightly lower high-temperature strength than 316: Its strength may be inferior to standard 316 at extremely high temperatures.
Generally slightly higher in cost than 316: Due to the additional processing required to lower the carbon content.
·316 Stainless Steel : 316 stainless steel is a molybdenum-bearing austenitic stainless steel. Due to its chemical composition containing 2% to 3% molybdenum, its resistance to corrosion in various corrosive media is significantly enhanced. In general atmospheric and mild industrial environments, 316 stainless steel exhibits excellent corrosion resistance. Additionally, the inclusion of molybdenum improves its corrosion resistance stability in moderately concentrated sulfuric acid, acetic acid, phosphoric acid, and other organic or inorganic acids.
·316 L Stainless Steel : Due to its excellent corrosion resistance, 316L has a wide range of applications in the chemical industry. 316L is also a derivative steel grade of the 18-8 type austenitic stainless steel, with the addition of 2-3% Mo.The Mo content in 316L gives this steel grade superior corrosion resistance, allowing it to be safely used in environments containing halide ions such as Cl-. As the primary application of 316L relies on its chemical properties, steel mills have slightly lower surface inspection requirements for 316L compared to 304.
·316 Stainless Steel : Favored for applications needing higher strength at elevated temperatures and where weld decay isn't a primary concern (or can be mitigated).
·316 L Stainless Steel : Preferred for welded structures where maintaining corrosion resistance after welding is crucial, and for certain applications requiring superior resistance in specific corrosive environments, even if it means slightly lower high-temperature strength.
· 316 Stainless Steel : 316 stainless steel (06Cr17Ni12Mo2) exhibits good oxidation resistance in intermittent service up to 871°C (1600°F) and in continuous service above 927°C (1700°F). It is generally not recommended to continuously use 316 stainless steel within the temperature range of 427°C to 857°C (800°F to 1575°F); however, when used continuously outside this range, it demonstrates good heat resistance.
·316L Stainless Steel : 316L stainless steel offers good oxidation resistance in intermittent service up to 1600°F (approximately 871°C) and in continuous service up to 700°C (approximately 1292°F). Continuous operation within the 800-1575°F (approximately 427°C to 857°C) range is generally not advised. However, when 316L stainless steel is used continuously outside this temperature range, it possesses good heat resistance.
316L stainless steel exhibits good weldability and can be welded using all standard welding methods. Depending on the application, welding can be performed using 316Cb, 316L, or 309Cb stainless steel filler rods or electrodes. For optimal corrosion resistance, welded sections of 316 stainless steel require post-weld annealing. However, post-weld annealing is not necessary when using 316L stainless steel.
Overall, the primary difference between 316 and 316L stainless steel lies in their carbon content, which leads to subtle variations in their processing performance, welding characteristics, and corrosion resistance. The choice of which material to use depends on the specific application scenario and the required performance characteristics. In cases where higher corrosion resistance and better welding performance are needed, 316L may be the more suitable choice; whereas in applications requiring higher strength, 316 stainless steel may be more appropriate.
-Pipe and Tube (EN 10216-5, ASTM A213, ASTM A249, A312, A790,)
-Forged Fitting and Flange (ASTM A182 , ASTM A105,ASTM B564 )
-Butt Weld Fittings (ASTM A234, ASTM A403,ASTM A815)
-Round bar , Billet (ASTM A276, ASTM A479)
- Plate, Sheet, Strip(ASTM A240, EN 10028-7, A480)
-Bolting, Nuts（ASTM A193, A194, A320）
We Export 316/316L stainless steel to Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, Oman, Kuwait, Turkey, Egypt, Yemen , Syria, Jordan, Cyprus, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, South Korea, Japan, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Paraguay, Uruguay, United States Of America, Canada, Mexico, Panama, Jamaica, Bahamas, Denmark, Norway, Germany, France,Italy, United Kingdom, Spain, Belgium, Greece, Czech Republic, Portugal, Hungary, Albania, Austria, Finland, Ireland, Croatia, Malta, Nigeria, Algeria, Angola, South Africa, Libya, Egypt, Sudan, Europe, Africa, Asia, North America, South America, Middle East.etc
1. Is 316L more expensive than 316?
Generally, 316L stainless steel can be slightly more expensive than 316.This is primarily due to the additional processing required to reduce the carbon content in 316L. Achieving the lower carbon specification involves more stringent manufacturing controls and potentially longer production times, which can translate to a higher cost.
2. Are 316 and 316L interchangeable?
In many applications, 316 and 316L stainless steels can be considered interchangeable. The primary reason 316L was developed was to provide better resistance to weld decay in heavy gauge welded components, eliminating the need for post-weld annealing.
3. Can you use 316L in place of 316 in most applications?
In most applications, 316L can generally be used as a substitute for 316. Due to its lower carbon content, 316L offers better corrosion resistance after welding and may perform better in certain corrosive environments. Therefore, for improved welding performance and corrosion resistance, engineers often tend to choose 316L in their designs.
