Page 39 - Fountain and Water Works | Wed Generale Catalogue
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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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