Different grades of stainless steel, also called inox, are distinguished according to their chemical composition. Depending on the amounts of special additives contained in the steel alloy, the different proportions determine the physical properties of the material and therefore its possible applications.

One of the most popular stainless steel grade for applications in architecture, industry and especially in the chemical industry, is the material AISI 316 or AISI 316L.

What is stainless steel AISI 316 / AISI 316L?

AISI 316 / AISI 316L, also known in German-speaking countries as "Edelstahl 1.4401/1.4404" and "V4A", is a higher-quality alloy compared to the material AISI 304 ("1.4301" and "V2A" in German-speaking countries) with added molybdenum and an increased chromium and nickel content, which means that the material has a higher resistance to corrosion.

The addition of molybdenum makes 316 stainless steel sheets more corrosion and oxidation-resistant and very suitable for applying for instance in areas near the sea or a slightly alkaline environment. In addition to these properties, this material is easy to process, form and weld.

The abbreviation AISI stands for "American Iron and Steel Institute", which set up the standards to which stainless steel grades AISI 304, AISI 316 and AISI 316L should correspond.

The ending "L" has been added to some of the alloys. When comparing AISI 316 and AISI 316L, we can see quite identical chemical compositions. However, there is a significant difference – L stands for "low" in relation to the slightly lower carbon content.