5 Basics of 316L Stainless Steel

1. Chemical composition of 316L stainless steel 2. 316L stainless steel characteristics 316L stainless steel is widely used in the chemical industry due to its excellent corrosion resistance. 316L is also a steel grade of 18-8 austenitic stainless steel, with 2-3% Mo added. The Mo content of 316L makes the steel have excellent pitting resistance […]

Table Of Contents

1. Chemical composition of 316L stainless steel

  • C: ≤ 0.03%;
  • Si: ≤ 0.75%;
  • Mn: ≤ 2.00%;
  • S: ≤ 0.030%;
  • P: ≤ 0.045%;
  • Cr: 16.00~18.0%;
  • Ni: 10.00-14.00%;
  • Mo: 2.00~3.00%;
  • N: 0.10%.

2. 316L stainless steel characteristics

316L stainless steel is widely used in the chemical industry due to its excellent corrosion resistance.

316L is also a steel grade of 18-8 austenitic stainless steel, with 2-3% Mo added.

The Mo content of 316L makes the steel have excellent pitting resistance and can be safely used in environments containing Cl – and other halogen ions.

3. Use of 316L stainless steel

Equipment for pulp and paper making, heat exchanger, dyeing equipment, pipes, materials for building exterior in coastal areas, solenoid valve field, etc.

4. Causes of stainless steel corrosion

The pitting corrosion of stainless steel mostly occurs in the environment containing iodine, chlorine, Australia and other aqueous solutions.

The reason for pitting corrosion of stainless steel is that hydrogen ions are active anions, which are easy to be adsorbed, squeezing out oxygen atoms, reacting with cations in the passivation film to generate soluble chlorides, damaging the passivation film, forming holes, forming a pitting inducement stage, in which a blocking circuit is formed and current corrosion occurs.

5. Measures to prevent stainless steel corrosion

1) Choose Yidang stainless steel material in the environment where pitting corrosion is known to occur.

Experiments show that stainless steel with higher molybdenum (Mo) or manganese (Mn) content has stronger resistance to pitting corrosion.

2) Control the pH, chloride concentration and temperature of the liquid in contact with stainless steel.

3) Cathodic protection, anodic protection or both

4) Try to use stainless steel with better quality, such as 316L, to improve the pitting resistance of stainless steel products.

Don't forget, sharing is caring! : )
Shane
Author

Shane

Founder of MachineMFG

As the founder of MachineMFG, I have dedicated over a decade of my career to the metalworking industry. My extensive experience has allowed me to become an expert in the fields of sheet metal fabrication, machining, mechanical engineering, and machine tools for metals. I am constantly thinking, reading, and writing about these subjects, constantly striving to stay at the forefront of my field. Let my knowledge and expertise be an asset to your business.

You May Also Like
We picked them just for you. Keep reading and learn more!

Chemical Composition of 316L Stainless Steel

What makes 316L stainless steel a top choice for critical applications? Its unique chemical composition, which includes chromium, nickel, and molybdenum, gives it superior corrosion resistance and mechanical properties. This…
Stainless Steel Grades

Stainless Steel Grades: The Ultimate Guide

Have you ever wondered about the different types of stainless steel and their applications? In this blog post, we'll dive into the world of stainless steel grades, exploring their unique…
MachineMFG
Take your business to the next level
Subscribe to our newsletter
The latest news, articles, and resources, sent to your inbox weekly.
© 2025. All rights reserved.

Contact Us

You will get our reply within 24 hours.