316L stainless steel utilizes a higher percentage of molybdenum, chromium and nickel than 304 stainless steel. The addition of these elements, notably molybdenum, improves the resistance to corrosion and chloride pitting, provides a greater creep resistance, and a stronger stress-to-rupture and tensile strength at elevated temperatures.
- 316L has slightly less Carbon in it then 316 making it a better choice for welding.
- 316L a great stainless steel for high-temperature, high-corrosion uses, which is why it's so popular for use in construction and marine projects.
- The lower carbon content in 316L minimizes deleterious carbide precipitation as a result of welding. Consequently, 316L is used when welding is required in order to ensure maximum corrosion resistance.
316 is the standard marine grade stainless steel due to its excellent resistance to corrosion in harsh environments. 316L SS utilizes a higher percentage of molybdenum, chromium and nickel than other grades of Stainless Steel, while also having a very small amount of Carbon as compared to other grades of Stainless Steel. The addition of these elements, notably molybdenum, improves the stainless steel’s strength, resistance to corrosion, and ability to withstand harsh chemicals and acids.
Benefits to Adding Molybdenum:
Most commercial molybdenum is used in the production of alloys, where it is added to increase hardness, strength, electrical conductivity and resistance to wear and corrosion.
- Molybdenum improves Stainless Steel’s general resistance to corrosion and chloride pitting which helps to lengthen the usable life of Stainless Steel and allows the PYI Hose Clamp to maintain a strong clamping force throughout its useful life.
- Molybdenum provides a greater creep (cold flow) resistance over time. Creep, in the material sciences, is a material’s ability to change its shape or slowly deform permanently over time. This allows the PYI Hose Clamps to provide a consistent clamping force throughout its useful life without damage or disfigurement due to constant tension on the hose clamp during use.
- The addition of molybdenum gives the Stainless Steel a stronger stress-to-rupture and ultimate tensile strength at elevated temperatures, up to 932°F (500°C). Stress-to-rupture is a sudden and complete failure of a material under stress load. Ultimate tensile strength is a material’s ability to withstand tension which tries to pull the material apart, as opposed to compress the material.