What’s the difference between 316 and 316l stainless steel?
Stainless steel comes in a variety of grades, which are divided into four groups. Austenitic stainless steel is one of the most essential types. Based on their chemical makeup, austenitic stainless steel alloys are divided into many classes. The 300 series is one of the most well-known stainless steel grades. These grades are diverse, with applications in shipping, maritime engineering, general engineering, the petrochemical industry, and the pharmaceutical and food industries. Grade 316, on the other hand, is the second most popular alloy in the 300 family. Grade 316, like most austenitic stainless steel alloys, can be modified. Stainless steels are frequently modified based on their intended use.
The changes are usually small additions or deletion of elements for a certain chemical composition. Marine grade 316 stainless steel, for example, has a greater carbon percentage in its alloy. Carbon forms a carbide precipitate at high temperatures, which induces sensitization at grain boundaries. During welding operations, the metal becomes weak due to sensitization. Welding temperatures are often greater because some melting of the metal is required to fuse it to another part or to make a complete item. As a result, the melted section, which is the heat impacted weld zone, has weaker corrosion resistance qualities than the rest of the component’s surface. The corrosion resistance remains stable since the other surface area has not been heated by the use of weld treatments. This is an issue that affects 316 stainless steel welded components. Manufacturers produced a reduced carbon variant of this alloy as a remedy to this problem.
The price difference between stainless steels 316 and 316l
Despite the fact that the alloy undergoes elemental changes, the material may be dual certified because the changes are minor. As a result, the 316/316L alloy will be branded as dual certified. As a result, the price of both of these alloys would be nearly same.
Comparison of 316 and 316l stainless steels
In addition to the decreased carbon content of stainless steel grade 316L, producers also add nitrogen to the alloy. Nitrogen is added to the alloy for a variety of reasons. First, with the elimination of carbon, the overall mechanical strength of stainless steel grade 316 decreases. Second, its heat tolerance is deteriorating. Stainless Steel 316L Pipes, on the other hand, can be welded without being susceptible to intergranular corrosion due to the decreased carbon content in its chemistry.
What’s the difference between 316 and 316l in terms of corrosion resistance?
As previously stated, the goal of introducing grade 316 stainless steel into the market is to improve its weldability. The alloy’s vulnerability to intergranular corrosion, particularly in the heat-affected weld zone, is successfully reduced by lowering the carbon concentration. The low carbon variant of the alloy, like grade 316, is sometimes referred to as marine grade steel because it can withstand seawater and brine solutions. As a result, the alloy is dual certified to meet the requirements of a variety of applications. Furthermore, it, like grade 316, can withstand air corrosion, commonly known as oxidation resistance. Dual certified alloys can also be used in applications containing halogens such as chlorine, fluorine, and bromine. They are used in the consumer products industry because they are corrosion resistant.
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