316L Stainless Steel - Corrosion Resistant

Heavy Welding Applications

In general, stainless steel is susceptible to intergranular corrosion due to the precipitation of chromium carbides between the grains during welding. It can also occur when carbon diffuses into the body of stainless steel from oil, plastic tape, and other organic substances under heat. The process is known as carburization. However, due to low carbon content, 316L thrives under such environments by offering excellent resistance to intergranular corrosion. Therefore, fabricators choose 316L over 316 in heavy gauge (>6mm) welded components.

 

Here's a concise comparison table of 316L stainless steel with other common stainless steel types:

Stainless Steel Type	Corrosion Resistance	Tensile Strength	Main Chemical Components	Typical Cost	Typical Applications
316L	Very High	High	16-18% Cr, 10-14% Ni, 2-3% Mo, <0.03% C	Moderate	Medical devices, marine environments, chemical processing
304	High	Moderate	18-20% Cr, 8-12% Ni, <0.08% C	Lower	Kitchen equipment, architectural paneling
410	Moderate	High	11.5-13.5% Cr, <0.15% C	Lower	Cutlery, steam and gas turbine blades
321	High	High	17-19% Cr, 9-12% Ni, 5x%C Ti	Higher	Aerospace components, exhaust systems