Differences between 317L and 316L Stainless Steel

Stainless steel is an alloy that is becoming increasingly popular in various industries due to its excellent performance. However, there are different types of stainless steel available in today’s market, each with unique characteristics and advantages. In this post, we will explore the differences between 317L and 316L stainless steel.

Differences between 317L and 316L Stainless Steel – 1. Corrosion Resistance

When choosing between 317L and 316L stainless steel, corrosion resistance is a key factor to consider. Both materials are known for their excellent corrosion resistance, but they differ in the types of environments they can tolerate.

316L stainless steel has good general corrosion resistance, especially in acidic environments such as sulfuric acid. It also has resistance to stress corrosion cracking (SCC) and pitting caused by chlorides, making it suitable for marine applications.

On the other hand, 317L stainless steel has excellent corrosion resistance compared to its counterparts. It contains a higher amount of molybdenum, enhancing its resistance to aggressive chemicals such as chlorides and acids, including high-temperature acids. Additionally, it is widely used in chemical processing facilities due to its excellent resistance to cracking in severe conditions that would quickly cause most traditional steels to fail.

In summary, both stainless steel alloys have impressive corrosion resistance; however, if you want reliable performance in extreme environments involving aggressive chemicals or high temperatures, choose 317L stainless steel as it provides much better protection than its predecessor.

Differences between 317L and 316L Stainless Steel – 2. Heat Resistance

When choosing between 317L and 316L stainless steel, heat resistance is an important factor to consider. Both alloys have excellent heat resistance, but some differences may make one alloy more suitable for certain applications than another.

316L stainless steel has a maximum operating temperature of approximately 870°C (1600°F), making it suitable for many high-temperature environments such as furnace components, annealing covers, and kiln linings. Its oxidation resistance also means it can withstand exposure to hot gases and combustion products without corroding or degrading.

Stainless steel 317L has better heat resistance than 316L. It has a maximum operating temperature of approximately 950°C (1742°F), making it well-suited for extreme high-temperature applications such as chemical processing equipment and nuclear power plants. Its higher chromium content provides excellent corrosion protection at high temperatures.

Generally speaking, the choice between these two alloys depends on the specific application requirements. If moderate heat resistance and good corrosion protection are needed, then 316L stainless steel may be sufficient. However, if extreme heat resistance and excellent corrosion protection are required, then 317L stainless steel would be a better choice.

Differences between 317L and 316L Stainless Steel – 3. Cost

When it comes to the cost of stainless steel, there are several factors to consider. One of them is the alloy composition, which greatly affects the price. When it comes to 316L and 317L stainless steel, buyers should be aware of some differences in cost.

Due to its lower nickel content, 316L stainless steel is generally considered a more affordable option compared to 317L. Nickel is an expensive element that enhances corrosion resistance and strength but also increases the overall production cost.

However, it should be noted that other elements such as molybdenum and chromium can also affect the price. For example, a higher molybdenum content in 316L may make it more expensive compared to a version with lower molybdenum content.

In addition, market demand and availability can affect the pricing of these two alloys. Before making a purchasing decision, buyers should always conduct research and compare prices from multiple suppliers.

Finally, although cost is an important factor to consider when choosing between 316L and 317L stainless steel alloys, it should not be the only factor. Other performance characteristics such as corrosion resistance and heat resistance must also be evaluated for each specific application.

Differences between 317L and 316L Stainless Steel – 4. Applications

Stainless steels 316L and 317L have extensive applications due to their excellent properties. Both materials possess high corrosion resistance, making them well-suited for use in harsh environments such as the marine or chemical industries.

However, the main difference between these two stainless steels lies in their molybdenum content. 316L stainless steel contains lower amounts of molybdenum compared to 317L, which results in a lower tolerance to certain types of corrosive media, such as sulfuric acid.

In contrast, 317L stainless steel features higher amounts of molybdenum and chromium, enabling it to effectively resist acidic solutions and high-temperature environments. This type is well-suited for use in equipment that needs to resist pitting corrosion caused by chloride ions.

Applications for 316L stainless steel include food processing equipment, medical implants, and construction structures where appearance is important. On the other hand, 317L stainless steel is used in pharmaceutical production facilities, pulp and paper mills, and chemical plants.

These two materials share very similar physical characteristics but exhibit significant performance differences under specific conditions. Therefore, choosing the appropriate material depends on identifying the desired properties required for the application to ensure optimal results while maintaining low costs.

Conclusion

In summary, 317L and 316L stainless steels are high-quality materials, possessing excellent corrosion and heat resistance. However, some key compositional differences make them suitable for different applications.

If you want to find more information about 317L and 316L stainless steel, we’d advise you to visit Sino Stainless Steel for more information. As a leading supplier of 316L stainless steel across the world, Sino Stainless Steel provides high-quality 304 stainless steel, 409 Stainless Steel, 316 and 316L Stainless Steel,  201 and 202 Stainless Steel, Stainless Steel Hexagon Bars, Hot-rolled Stainless Steel Coils, Colored Stainless Steel Sheets, Stainless Steel Perforated Sheets, Stainless Steel Angle Bars, Cold-rolled Precision Stainless Steel Strips, Stainless Steel Wire, and Embossed Stainless Steel Plates at an extremely competitive price.