316 vs 316L Stainless Steel: What’s the Difference?

Alex Chen, Materials Engineer

Alex Chen is the material engineer with more than ten years of experience, focusing on stainless steel metallurgy and corrosion resistance research, and is good at providing suitable stainless steel material solutions for industrial applications.

When choosing the right stainless steel, it is important to understand the difference between 316 and 316L stainless steel. Both 316 and 316L stainless steels are corrosion-resistant austenitic stainless steels, the main difference being the carbon content: 316 has a slightly higher carbon content (up to 0.08 percent), while 316L has a lower carbon content (up to 0.03 percent). This lower carbon content makes 316L more resistant to intergranular corrosion during welding, usually without post-welding annealing, so it is in applications that require a large amount of welding and require high corrosion resistance of the welding area (such as chemical and pharmaceutical equipment) It is a better choice; the strength of the 316 is slightly higher, and it also performs well in scenarios that do not require a large amount of welding or are not sensitive to intergranular corrosion.

In this article, we’ll explore what is 316 stainless steel, what is 316L stainless steel, and how to choose between them. Whether you’re sourcing materials for marine environments, chemical processing equipment, or precision manufacturing, this detailed comparison of 316L vs 316 stainless steel will help you make a smarter, more cost-effective decision.

What is 316 Stainless Steel?

316 stainless steel stands out for its unique chemical composition and excellent performance. Its main components chromium, nickel and molybdenum (especially 2-3% molybdenum) give it excellent corrosion resistance, especially resistance to pitting and crevice corrosion, making it perform well in environments containing chloride ions. It belongs to the austenitic structure, has good plasticity and toughness, and exhibits a tensile strength of 515 MPa and a Brinell hardness of about 217 HB. Compared with 304 stainless steel, 316 has a significant improvement in corrosion resistance. Therefore, 316 stainless steel is widely used in chemical industry, marine, food processing, pharmaceutical and construction and other fields with high corrosion resistance requirements.

What is 316L Stainless Steel?

316L stainless steel is a low-carbon version of the 316 (carbon content ≤ 0.03%). Its core advantage is excellent intergranular corrosion resistance, especially for welding applications. The low carbon content effectively inhibits the chromium depletion caused by carbide precipitation at the grain boundary during the welding process, thereby maintaining good corrosion resistance. Although its mechanical strength is slightly lower than 316, it is more ductile and more suitable for deep drawing. 316L also contains molybdenum, giving it excellent resistance to pitting and crevice corrosion. Therefore, it is widely used in areas that require welding and high corrosion resistance, such as chemical equipment, storage tanks and pipelines in the food and pharmaceutical industry, deep-drawing parts, and cryogenic equipment.

316 vs 316L:Which Should You Choose?

Let’s start with an intuitive comparison and lay out their core differences.

316 vs 316L Differences’ Chart

Comparison Item	316 Stainless Steel	316L Stainless Steel
Carbon Content	Relatively higher (max 0.08%)	Lower (max 0.03%)
Intergranular Corrosion Resistance	Risk of intergranular corrosion after welding or high-temperature exposure	Excellent, almost eliminates the risk of intergranular corrosion
Mechanical Strength	Slightly higher (especially tensile and yield strength)	Slightly lower
Weldability	Good, but post-weld solution annealing may be required to restore corrosion resistance	Excellent, usually no additional treatment required after welding, corrosion resistance unaffected
Price	Typically slightly lower than 316L (initial procurement cost, can fluctuate)	Typically slightly higher than 316 (initial procurement cost, can fluctuate)

When to choose 316? When to choose 316L?

Detailed analysis of the decision tree:

• If your project involves welding and is very sensitive to intergranular corrosion, such as in chemical containers, pharmaceutical equipment, marine environmental applications, etc., then my suggestion is: choose 316L stainless steel without hesitation. Its low carbon content is the golden key to solve intergranular corrosion.
• If your application does not require welding, or, even if welded, you have the conditions and will carry out subsequent solution treatment (annealing), and you have higher requirements for the mechanical strength of the material, such as some structural parts, stressed parts, then 316 is a better choice. Its higher carbon content gives it better mechanical properties. But then again, many large-scale projects, for the sake of simplifying the process and safety considerations, can use 316L, we are also inclined to use 316L.

Cost-benefit analysis:

Regarding cost, this is also a matter of great concern to everyone. The initial cost of 316L is usually slightly higher than that of 316. But we can’t just look at the difference. In many critical applications, 316L brings longer service life, lower maintenance costs, and less risk of failure. These potential long-term benefits often far exceed its initial difference. For example, a pipeline system using 316L may not have to worry about corrosion for ten or twenty years, and if inappropriate 316 are used, it may have to be stopped for maintenance or even replaced in a few years, and the loss will be great.

Therefore, my point of view is: the selection of materials should not only look at the price, but also at the value.

Common Misunderstandings and Professional Advice

The most common misconception is: “Isn’t it all 316? Just pick one?” This kind of thinking is very dangerous! Although L is just a letter, but it represents the low carbon, but can bring a world of performance.

My professional advice is: always according to the specific conditions, design requirements and cost budget for a comprehensive assessment.

• Working condition analysis: what medium will your material come into contact with? What is the temperature? Is there stress? Will it be heated and cooled repeatedly? These will affect the choice of material.
• Design requirements: What are the specific requirements for strength, toughness, corrosion resistance, fatigue life, etc?
• Processing technology: Is welding required? Is the welding volume large? Is there any ability to carry out heat treatment after welding?
• Cost budgeting: Of course, budgeting is also part of the reality, but remember that the balance between short-term costs and long-term benefits is what matters most.

316 & 316L Stainless Steel Price

When it comes to the price of 316 and 316L stainless steel, many people will directly ask: “Is 316L more expensive than 316?” My experience is that under normal circumstances, the price of 316L is indeed slightly higher than 316, but this difference is often Not as big as you think, and even negligible in some cases.

To understand the reasons behind this price difference, we need to delve into several key factors:

Cost of raw materials

The first is the cost of raw materials. The main alloying elements of 316 and 316L stainless steel are nickel, chromium and molybdenum. The “L” of 316L stands for “Low Carbon”, which means it has a lower carbon content than 316. In order to achieve a lower carbon content, finer control and longer refining times may be required in the production process.

However, from the overall alloy composition, there is no essential difference between the two, so the cost difference of the raw material itself is relatively limited. The global price fluctuation of nickel, chromium and molybdenum has a synchronous effect on the price of these two materials.

Production process

The production process is another important factor affecting the price. In order to produce low-carbon 316L, steel mills need to more strictly control the carbon content during the smelting process. This may involve more complex refining steps, such as vacuum induction melting (VIM) or electroslag remelting (ESR), although for standard 316L, this can usually be achieved by optimizing the furnace operation. These additional process requirements, in theory, will increase the cost of production, and ultimately reflected in the price. However, with the progress of modern metallurgical technology, this cost increment has become smaller and more efficient.

Market supply and demand

The influence of market supply and demand on prices cannot be underestimated. If the demand for 316L surges in a 1 period and the supply is relatively tight, the price will naturally rise. And vice versa. Because the application areas of 316 and 316L overlap greatly, their price fluctuations in the market are often linked. For example, in applications that require welding, the superiority of 316L makes it more popular, and the demand may be greater, thus forming a certain support for its price.

Frequently Asked Questions About 316 vs 316L

Is 316L stainless steel good?

Excellent of course! In specific applications, 316L stainless steel performs well, especially in scenarios that require frequent welding and resistance to intergranular corrosion. Its low-carbon nature ensures structural integrity and corrosion resistance in the weld area.

What is the main difference between Difference between 316 and 316L stainless steel?

The main difference is the carbon content. The carbon content of 316L is much lower than that of 316, which makes it more resistant to intergranular corrosion after welding.

Can 316L replace 316?

In general, 316L can replace 316 because its corrosion resistance is similar to or better than 316, and the welding performance is better. However, replacing 316L with 316 requires caution, especially when the application involves welding or has strict requirements for intergranular corrosion, 316 may be risky due to the high carbon content. If strength is the primary consideration and there is no need for welding, 316 may also be a better choice.

Does 316 stainless steel rust?

Yes, although 316 stainless steel has strong corrosion resistance, it is not completely free from rust. In extreme corrosive environments, or when the surface is damaged and contaminants are attached, 316 stainless steel may still be pitting, crevice corrosion or stress corrosion cracking.

Conclusion:

The main difference between 316 and 316L stainless steel is the carbon content. 316L stainless steel has relatively low carbon content and excellent intergranular corrosion resistance, making it an ideal choice for welding structures and harsh environments. On the other hand, 316 stainless steel is slightly stronger and is suitable for the manufacture of structural components with limited welding.

Although the cost of 316L stainless steel may be slightly higher, its long-term reliability and lower maintenance costs usually bring higher overall value. When comparing 316L stainless steel and 316 stainless steel, it is important to consider your specific operating conditions, exposure to corrosive media, and manufacturing requirements.

If you are still not sure which material 316 or 316L is best for your application, please consult us and we will provide you with tailor-made suggestions. Choosing the right stainless steel model can save you a lot of time, cost and effort.