1. 316I Element Content Standard
The composition of 316L stainless steel mainly consists of Cr, Ni and Fe. 316L is the American standard for stainless steel, with the corresponding Japanese standard being SUS316L and the national standard being 022Cr17Ni12Mo2 (see stainless steel material standards comparison chart ).
However, the chemical composition requirements of 316L stainless steel in different national standards may vary slightly. For example, the nickel content requirement of 316L stainless steel in the Japanese standard JIS G4305 should be between 12-15%, while the Chinese national standard GBT 24511-2017 requires it to be between 10-14%, and the American standard ASTM A240 is in line with that of China. The Japanese standard requires higher nickel content compared to national and American standards.
The chromium content of 316L stainless steel is between 16-18%, and the chromium content requirements in national standards are similar.
Related Reading: 316 vs 316L Stainless Steel
2. 316L Chemical Composition Comparison Table
The iron (Fe) content of 316 stainless steel accounts for approximately 69%, and the composition of 316L stainless steel consists of alloying elements other than iron. For detailed information about the chemical composition content of 316L material, please refer to the comparison table.
National standard 316L stainless steel composition comparison table (element content proportion)
| Default name | SOME No. | Note | W | Mn | P | s | Yes | Cr | No | Mo | N |
| American Standard ASTM A240M-15a | S31603 | 316L | 0.03 | two | 0.045 | 0.03 | 0.75 | 16-18 | 10-14 | 2-3 | 0.1 |
| Ancient Chinese Standard GB24511-2009 | S31603 | 022Cr17Ni12Mo2 | 0.03 | two | 0.035 | 0.02 | 0.75 | 16-18 | 10-14 | 2-3 | 0.1 |
| New Chinese Standard GB/T24511-2017 | S31603 | 022Cr17Ni12Mo2 | 0.03 | two | 0.035 | 0.015 | 0.75 | 16-18 | 10-14 | 2-3 | 0.1 |
| Japanese standard JISG4305:2005 | – | SUS316L | 0.03 | two | 0.045 | 0.03 | 1 | 16-18 | 12-15 | 2-3 | – |
| European Standard EN10028-7:2007 | – | 1.4404 | 0.03 | two | 0.045 | 0.015 | 1 | 16.5-18.5 | 10-13 | 2-2.5 | 0.1 |
Note: the proportion is a percentage, i.e. “%”;
Except for the indicated range, all ingredients listed in the table are maximum values;
3. Recommendations for 3161 stainless steel applications
Excluding differences in production process and technology, the performance and usage limitations of stainless steel are mainly determined by its chemical element content. As such, it is important to choose qualified and economical steel grades based on factors such as material properties, usage environment, processing technology and cost budget.
The chemical composition of 316L stainless steel differs from that of 304, 321 and other stainless steels, giving it unique physical and chemical properties that make it ideal for specific applications.
To assist in the selection process, it is important to consult the chemical composition standard (316L element content table) for 316L stainless steel, which includes standards such as SUS316L, 316L, 022Cr17Ni12Mo2 and 1.4404. As can be seen from the table, the chemical composition standards specified by different countries show only minor differences, typically in the content of individual elements such as phosphorus, sulfur, silicon and nickel.
