Winsco Metal's 316 and 316L stainless steel sheets are two common stainless steel materials. They are very similar in chemical composition, but there are some differences.
316 stainless steel is a high-grade stainless steel material with good corrosion resistance and is especially suitable for acid-resistant environments. It consists of 16%-18% chromium, 10%-14% nickel and 2%-3% molybdenum, while containing up to 0.08% carbon. This alloy has high corrosion resistance, especially for chloride media and seawater environments. It is widely used in the chemical, marine, pharmaceutical and food industries.
316L stainless steel is a low-carbon version of 316 stainless steel. It has a similar chemical composition to 316, but the carbon content is limited to a maximum of 0.03%. By reducing the amount of carbon, 316L can be made less susceptible to induction welding and heat-affected zones (such as those created during welding). This makes 316L more advantageous in some special applications, especially when welding is required or used in high temperature environments.
To sum up, the main difference between 316 and 316L stainless steel sheet is the carbon content. 316L has a lower carbon content and therefore performs better during welding and high temperature environments. They both have excellent corrosion resistance, but 316L may be more suitable for use in some special circumstances, such as where induction welding is present or where thermal effects need to be reduced.
