AISI 316LN (UNS S31653) is a low carbon, nitrogen-alloyed austenitic stainless steel. The material has good weldability and is frequently used in general industry, pressure vessels and exchangers. The grade is also suitable for forming and cold heading.
AISI 316LN grade is a stainless steel grade which is a nitrogen augmented version of austenitic stainless steel AISI 316L grade. The nitrogen augmentation is more than 0.25%. This grade is a low carbon version of regular stainless steel AISI 316 grade and provides enhanced mechanical properties than the conventional version. The grade is resistant to sensitization, a process which results in increased intergranular corrosion in services operating below 500°F (260°C) or in intense high temperature. AISI 316LN is a higher grade when compared to conventional grade 316L which has low carbon and nitrogen content.
The material has excellent weldability and can be welded with high performance electro-gas or fusion welding machines with filler materials of the same grade or equivalent. The grade is also suitable for forming and cold heading applications. The material is ductile and can be bent, machined and corrosion resistance is excellent due to its composition.
AISI 316LN is utilized in oil & gas industry, chemical process and storage vessels, pulp and paper industry and power generation plants. The grade has greater mechanical strength and fatigue resistance which makes it suitable for valves and pumps used in oil and gas industry. The material is also used in medical equipments and food processing industry. The grade is also used in paper and pulp industry, cooling systems and petrochemical plants.
Chemical Composition of AISI 316LN Stainless Steel
AISI 316LN stainless steel is a nitrogen-alloyed austenitic stainless steel containing chromium, nickel, molybdenum and nitrogen as the main alloying elements. The general composition of the alloy is given in the table below.
Table 1. Chemical Composition of AISI 316LN Stainless Steel
Element
Content (%)
Iron (Fe)
Bal
Chromium (Cr)
17 - 19
Nickel (Ni)
11 - 13
Molybdenum (Mo)
2 - 3
Manganese (Mn)
≤ 2
Carbon (C)
≤ 0.035
Phosphorus (P)
≤ 0.045
Sulfur (S)
0.03
Silicon (Si)
1
Nitrogen (N)
≥ 0.25
Aluminum (Al)
≤ 0.040
Titanium (Ti)
<0.035
AISI 316LN grade is a low carbon, nitrogen-alloyed austenitic stainless steel. The material has good weldability, excellent machinability and is frequently used in general industry, pressure vessels and exchangers. The grade is resistant to sensitization, a process which results in increased intergranular corrosion in services operating below 500°F (260°C). AISI 316LN grade is an ideal material for applications requiring excellent mechanical strength, fatigue resistance and thermomechanical stability. The grade is suitable for forming and cold heading processes and is used in oil & gas, chemical process and storage vessels, pulp and paper industry and power generation plants. The general chemical composition of AISI 316LN stainless steel is given in the table above.