316 VS grade SAE 316L stainless steel: what's the difference?

There are slight differences in chemical composition between 316 stainless steel and SAE 316L grade stainless steel. 316 stainless steel has a higher carbon content, while SAE 316L grade stainless steel has a lower carbon content. This difference makes SAE 316L grade stainless steel perform better during welding, reducing the risk of intergranular corrosion and improving its resistance to intergranular corrosion.

Due to its low carbon content, SAE 316L grade stainless steel typically has better corrosion resistance, making it particularly suitable for corrosive environments such as chemical, pharmaceutical manufacturing, and marine applications. In contrast, standard 316 stainless steel may experience intergranular corrosion under similar conditions, so SAE 316L grade stainless steel is more favored in certain applications that require higher corrosion resistance.

Overall, SAE 316L grade stainless steel is generally considered an improved version of standard 316 stainless steel, with better welding performance and corrosion resistance. The choice of which material to use depends on the specific application requirements, and requires consideration of climate conditions, corrosive environments, and mechanical properties to ensure the selection of the most suitable stainless steel material to meet project needs.