316L stainless steel pipe is a pipe widely used in construction projects. The shape of the tube is an oblong hollow steel tube. Mechanical equipment, petrochemical equipment, medical equipment, food and light industry pipelines or mechanical parts will all use 316L stainless steel pipes, but many friends will confuse 316L with 316. The following briefly introduces the difference between 316L stainless steel pipe and 316 stainless steel pipe:
1. Different production costs
316L stainless steel has low carbon content and is easy to weld, so the price of 316L stainless steel pipe is more expensive than 316 stainless steel pipe, but the difference is not big. In addition, 316L stainless steel can also be called ultra-low carbon steel plate 316 stainless steel.
2. Differences in the strength of stainless steel pipes
The tensile strength of 316 stainless steel pipe is higher than that of 316L stainless steel pipe. The tensile strength of 316 stainless steel pipe is higher than that of 520MPa (316L) stainless steel pipe. The tensile strength of 316 stainless steel pipe is only greater than 480Mpa. This is because carbon is a strong austenite forming element that can significantly increase the strength of stainless steel pipes.
3. Differences in practical application
The cost difference between 316L stainless steel and 316 stainless steel is not big, and the corrosion resistance and weldability of 316L stainless steel are obviously better than ordinary 316 stainless steel. From the producer's point of view, stainless steel factories are reluctant to produce because the demand for ordinary 316 stainless steel is very low. Therefore, the actual circulation on the market is basically low-carbon 316L stainless steel. Generally, 316 stainless steel is rarely sold unless there is a specific demand.
4. Differences in welding treatment
Carbon has a negative effect on the corrosion resistance of stainless steel pipes. Especially for stainless steel that needs to be welded, the corrosion resistance of low carbon 316L stainless steel after welding is lower than that of 316 stainless steel. I thought I could get it. Good corrosion resistance, 316 stainless steel welded section needs solution annealing after welding. If 316L stainless steel is used, solution annealing after welding is not required.
5. Differences in corrosion resistance
316L stainless steel pipe has stronger corrosion resistance and is suitable for strong corrosion areas such as seaside. In addition, 316 stainless steel pipes are not recommended to consider the previous conditions.
6. Differences in scope of use
In most cases,
304 stainless steel pipe is sufficient for the application. Due to the high price of 316L stainless steel pipe, from the perspective of material cost, the usage of 316L stainless steel pipe is about 1.5 times that of 304 stainless steel pipe, so the usage of 316L stainless steel pipe should be customized.
