The world of stainless steel grades has some interesting possibilities. Although there is a grade of stainless steel for practically every purpose, it is not always so straightforward. There are variances for several grade levels. In the 316 stainless steel series, this is the situation.
The 316 series, one of the most widely used stainless steels, comes in two main varieties: 316 and 316L. It’s crucial to comprehend the similarities and distinctions between the alloys while deciding between SS 316 and Stainless Steel 316L sheets for your project.
Similarities Between 316 & 316 SS Grades
On three crucial fronts, both stainless sheets of steel have properties in common.
- Workability: Both stainless steel alloys are thought to be stronger. Because they include nickel, they may be manufactured at lower temperatures while maintaining their ductility when being rolled, pulled, or bent. They become non-hardenable when heated and are simple to run through a die for shaping.
- Weldability: For welding, both alloys work well. When welded, neither stainless steel dies due to excessive heat cracking as other metals do.
- Corrosion Resistance: Both 316 and 316L have good corrosion resistance, making them both suitable for applications where chloride exposure is a requirement. This is so that the alloys can resist acids and chloride without compromising, owing to the makeup of both classes, which includes nickel and molybdenum. Both metals are among the few deemed “marine grade stainless steel” due to their high corrosion resistance.
Major Difference in SS 316 & Stainless Steel 316L Sheets
It’s the amount of carbon. Carbon content in stainless steel grade 316 is limited to 0.08%. The maximum carbon concentration for stainless steel 316L sheets is 0.03%. Despite the fact that both stainless steel alloys are comparable, the carbon content of each one does allow for slight variations in two important areas: corrosion resistance and weldability.
The latter stainless steel has a small advantage over the former when deciding between 316 and 316L stainless steel. In other words, 316L holds up better in situations with high levels of chloride due to its lower carbon content. Over the course of its useful life, 316L steel exhibits greater resistance to pitting and crevice corrosion than 316SS.
Due to its increased carbon content, 316 is more susceptible to weld degradation after welding than 316l. However, this only becomes a problem if the metal must be heated to temperatures between 425-815 degrees C or needs to be welded over a period of several minutes.
