Which is better, 316 or 316l stainless steel

Which is better, 316 or 316l stainless steel

316L stainless steel is slightly higher than that of 316 stainless steel. Due to the molybdenum in the steel, the overall performance of this steel is better than that of 310 and 304 stainless steel. Under high temperature conditions, when the concentration of sulfuric acid is lower than 15% and higher than 85%, 316 Stainless steel has a wide range of uses. 316 stainless steel also has good resistance to chloride attack, so it is often used in marine environments.

316L stainless steel has a maximum carbon content of 0.03 and can be used in applications where annealing cannot be performed after welding and where maximum corrosion resistance is required. Corrosion resistance The corrosion resistance of 316 stainless steel is better than that of 304 stainless steel, and it has good corrosion resistance in the pulp and paper production process. Moreover, 316 stainless steel is also resistant to corrosion from the ocean and corrosive industrial atmosphere.

Generally speaking, there is not much difference in chemical corrosion resistance between 304 stainless steel and 316 stainless steel, but there are differences in some specific media. The stainless steel originally developed was 304. Under certain circumstances, this material is sensitive to pitting corrosion (Pitting Corrosion). Adding an additional 2-3% of molybdenum can reduce this sensitivity, and thus 316 was born.

316 stainless steel has almost become a standard material in the food and beverage industry. Due to the worldwide shortage of molybdenum and the greater nickel content in 316 stainless steel, the price of 316 stainless steel is more expensive than 304 stainless steel. Pitting corrosion is a phenomenon mainly caused by deposited corrosion on the surface of stainless steel, which is due to the lack of oxygen and the inability to form a protective layer of chromium oxide. Especially in small valves, the possibility of deposits on the valve plate is very small, so pitting corrosion is also rare. In various types of water media (distilled water, drinking water, river water, boiler water, sea water, etc.), the corrosion resistance of 304 stainless steel and 316 stainless steel is almost the same, unless the content of chloride ions in the medium is very high, in which case 316 stainless steel more suitable.

316 stainless steel has good oxidation resistance. In the range of 800-1575 degrees, it is best not to continuously use 316 stainless steel, but when 316 stainless steel is used continuously outside this temperature range, the stainless steel has good heat resistance. The resistance to carbide precipitation of 316L stainless steel is better than that of 316 stainless steel, and it can be used in the above temperature range.