Page 39 - Fountain and Water Works | Wed Generale Catalogue

AISI 316 and AISI 316L are austenitic stainless steel alloys with

chrome (16-18%), nickel (11-14%) and molybdenum (2-3%).

AISI 316L is identified by a lower carbon rate (less than 0.035%,

instead of 0.08% for the AISI 316).

The main differences between 304 and 316 alloys, let alone the

AISI 316 higher cost, is due to the 316’s higher austenicity in the

wake of a higher rate of nickel.

A 2-3% of molybdenum in the AISI 316/316L can foster the

growth of stronger molybdenum carbides then chrome carbides

and make sure a better carbide rust strength (due to seawater

and defrosting salt) . The carbon rate is pretty low (0.008%)

even if some austenitic steel alloys can have a higher carbon

rate (0.03%). Due to a high rate of expensive components

(Ni,Cr,Ti,Nb,Ta) austenitic steel alloys are the most expensive

among the common ones

Their basic features are:

• excellent rust strength;

• easy cleanup and good hygienic performance;

• easy welding, ductility and forgeability;

• no magnetization when fully recooked.

Their austenitic chemical structure (with CFC molecule)makes

them immune from “ductile-fragile” transition – which is a typical

weakness of ferritic compounds – so they keep being tenacious

and strong up to criogenic temperatures (liquid helium). The

particles’ overall dimension is higher than the ferritic alloys one

and makes these alloys stronger when resisting viscous sliding: in

the wake of this, they can be used to store liquids at the highest

temperatures (600 °C and more).

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