316 vs. 316L Stainless Steel Valves: A Comparative Analysis

316 and 316L stainless steel valves are utilized across a range of industries, thanks to its versatility,

reliability and cost-effectiveness. Even though the variations between 316 and 316L may be unimportant, they are in fact two-fold in both, mechanical characteristics and chemistry.

Needless to say, both stainless steel valves offer added resistance to atmospheric corrosion to a range of natural and artificial chemicals and foods & beverage industry.  

So, what is the difference between 316 and 316L stainless steel valves? It’s the carbon content.

316 stainless steel valves have a maximum carbon content of 0.08%; whereas, 316L stainless steel valves have 0.03% carbon content.

In case it’s hard for you to remember which is which, keep in mind that 316L has low carbon content.

Why does it Matter?

In case you’re going ahead with a material purely based on its price, know that 316L stainless steel wouldn’t make a huge difference. They cost roughly the same, apart from the insignificant price variations as a result of anticipated market shifts.

When judged on performance, 316L is better than any and all versions of stainless steel. That’s particularly true for high-temperature and intensive-corrosion applications. Moreover, 316L can easily be fabricated and utilized for various applications such as construction, infrastructure, marine, etc., thanks to its durability.

Moreover, the low carbon content in 316L version makes them more weldable than 316 version stainless steel. Sometimes, 316 stainless steel versions with high-carbon content are more susceptible to weld decay. Simply put, 316L is far more dead set against inter-granular corrosion. This is rarely a serious issue if the metal requires to be welded for a few minutes or temperatures between 425 and 815°C.

It is important to note that both, 316 and 316L are austenitic alloys. This means that they possess corrosion resistance from utilizing ferric carbide (non-magnetic solid solution) in the development process.

Along with chromium and nickel, such alloys consist of molybdenum, which makes them even more resistant to corrosion.

Given the benefits of 316 and 316L stainless steels, it makes sense to invest in these grades of valves to ensure performance, quality and reliability across industrialized processes.

SEALEXCEL is one of the finest valve and pipe fittings manufacturers in India that only makes use of 316 and 316L stainless steel grades for manufacturing valves and fittings for instrumentation, pneumatic and hydraulic applications. Whether you need stainless steel angle needle valves or purge valves, SEALEXCEL is your ultimate pick