Difference of 316 and 316L stainless steel

The difference between 316 and 316L is following.

1. Grade difference

316 0Cr17Ni12Mo2(old) 06C17N12M2(New)

Equal to ASTM TP316, JIS SUS316

316L 00Cr17Ni14Mo2(old) 022C17N12M2(New)

Equal to ASTM TP316L, JIS SUS316L

2. Components

316

C≤0.08,Si≤1.0, Mn≤2.0, P≤0.035, S≤0.03,Ni:10.0-14.0,Cr:16.0-18.5, Mo:2.0-3.0

316L

C≤0.03,Si≤1.0, Mn≤2.0, P≤0.035, S≤0.03,Ni:10.0-14.0,Cr:16.0-18.5, Mo:2.0-3.0

3.Yield strength

316 210(N/MM2)

316L 180(N/MM2)

4.Tensile strength

316 520(N/MM2)

316L 480(N/MM2)

The above is the mainly difference between 316 and 316L.

And 316L with low carbon, so the carbon is very difficult to be separated to form chromium carbide. This property make it is difficult to get rusted.