Corrosion Resistance of 00Cr17Ni12Mo2 (AISI316) and 00Cr17Ni14Mo2 (AISI316L) Steels
Corrosion is a common form of material degradation that, if left unchecked, can lead to significant material loss and costly damage downtime. In industries such as food processing, medical and aerospace, the need to combat corrosion is critical. This need is often addressed through the selection of stainless steel alloys, such as those with the chemical designation 00Cr17Ni12Mo2 (AISI316) and 00Cr17Ni14Mo2 (AISI316L). This paper will compare these two steel alloys and investigate their different corrosion properties.
00Cr17Ni12Mo2 (AISI316) is a low carbon version of its older cousin, AISI304 stainless steel. It contains 17%-18% chromium and 12% to 14% nickel which helps give it its overall corrosion resistance. The other major alloying addition is molybdenum, which improves pitting corrosion resistance and increases the steel’s resistance to chloride-induced stress cracking. In addition to molybdenum, AISI316 contains small amounts of manganese and silicon, which also contribute to its corrosion resistance by protecting it from oxidation. AISI316 is known to be a particularly tough and durable alloy, making it ideal for applications that require a high level of corrosion resistance, such as food production, medical devices, and chemical plants.
00Cr17Ni14Mo2 (AISI316L) is a lower carbon version of AISI316 and features the same 17%-18% chromium and 12%-14% nickel composition found in its counterpart. However, AISI316L has slightly lower levels of molybdenum than AISI316 and is more heavily alloyed with nitrogen. This difference helps to improve its corrosion resistance properties. AISI316L is also non-magnetic, making it useful in applications where a non-magnetic material is required. AISI316L is often found in uses such as marine environments, pharmaceuticals, textiles, and medical implants.
When it comes to comparing 00Cr17Ni12Mo2 (AISI316) and 00Cr17Ni14Mo2 (AISI316L) in terms of corrosion resistance, AISI316L tends to have the advantage. This is due to its lower carbon content and additional nitrogen alloying, which reduces the risk of pitting corrosion. Additionally, AISI316L possesses a slightly higher resistance to chloride-induced stress cracking than AISI316. This makes AISI316L beneficial for applications exposed to seawater, as it will be less prone to cracking under the influence of chloride ions.
In terms of cost, the price of AISI316L is slightly higher than AISI316 due to the additional time and cost required to produce the alloy. However, this small price difference is offset by its improved corrosion resistance, making AISI316L the more logical choice for projects that require a high level of corrosion resistance.
Overall, both 00Cr17Ni12Mo2 (AISI316) and 00Cr17Ni14Mo2 (AISI316L) possess similar corrosion resistant properties, however, AISI316L is the more corrosion-resistant of the two. Additionally, AISI316L is non-magnetic and carries a slightly higher price tag, making it the more optimal choice for projects requiring a high level of corrosion resistance.