What is 316 stainless steel ?
Thanks to the inclusion of molybdenum, 316 stainless steel exhibits remarkable resistance to corrosion, work hardening (which makes it non-magnetic), atmospheric corrosion and high temperature resistance, making it suitable for use in harsh environments.
Forms:
This material is commonly used in equipment for seawater, chemicals, dyes, papermaking, oxalic acid, fertilizer and other production industries, as well as in photography, food industry, coastal facilities, ropes, CD rods, screws and nuts.
What is 316L stainless steel? (L is low carbon)
As a low-carbon variant of 316 steel, 316L steel shares the same properties as 316 steel and has exceptional resistance to grain boundary corrosion.
Forms:
This material is ideal for products that require exceptional resistance to grain boundary corrosion.
See too:
- Stainless Steel Grades: The Definitive Guide
- Stainless steel 304, 304L, 316, 316L: the definitive difference
- What is the difference between 304, 304H and 304L?
- 304 vs 316 stainless steel: what's the difference?
What is the difference between 316 and 316L stainless steel ?
316 and 316L stainless steels are types of stainless steel that contain molybdenum. The molybdenum content in 316L stainless steel is slightly higher than that of 316 stainless steel.
Thanks to the presence of molybdenum, the overall performance of these steels surpasses that of 310 and 304 stainless steels.
Under high temperature conditions where the sulfuric acid concentration is between 15% and 85%, 316 stainless steel has a wide range of applications. Additionally, its resistance to chloride corrosion makes it a popular choice in marine environments.
316L stainless steel, with a maximum carbon content of 0.03%, is ideal for applications where annealing is not possible after welding and maximum corrosion resistance is a requirement.
Chemical composition
Heat resistance:
316 stainless steel exhibits good oxidation resistance when used intermittently at temperatures below 1600°C and continuously at temperatures below 1700°C.
It is advisable to avoid continuous use of 316 stainless steel in the temperature range of 800-1575°C. However, when used outside this temperature range, it has excellent heat resistance.
Compared to 316 stainless steel, 316L stainless steel has improved resistance to carbide precipitation, allowing use within the temperature range mentioned above.
Heat treatment:
Annealing of 316 stainless steel is carried out in the temperature range of 1850-2050°C, followed by rapid cooling to complete the process.
It is important to note that 316 stainless steel cannot be hardened by heat treatment.
Welding:
316 stainless steel is highly weldable and all standard welding methods can be employed for welding.
The type of filler rod or welding rod used to weld 316 stainless steel should be chosen based on the purpose of welding. Options include 316Cb, 316L or 309Cb stainless steel filler rods.
To obtain the best corrosion resistance, it is recommended to anneal the welded section of 316 stainless steel after welding. However, if 316L stainless steel is used, post-weld annealing is not necessary.
