Grade 316L, the low carbon version of 316 and is immune from sensitization (grain boundary carbide precipitation). Thus it is extensively used in heavy gauge welded components (over about 6mm). There is commonly no appreciable price difference between 316 and 316L stainless steel.
The austenitic structure also gives these grades excellent toughness, even down to cryogenic temperatures.
Compared to chromium-nickel austenitic stainless steels, 316L stainless steel offers higher creep, stress to rupture and tensile strength at elevated temperatures.
These properties are specified for the flat-rolled products (plate, sheet, and coil) in ASTM A240/A240M. Similar but not necessarily identical properties are specified for other products such as pipe and bar in their respective specifications.
316L stainless steel can be hot worked using the most common hot working techniques. Optimal hot working temperatures should be in the range 1150-1260 °C, and certainly should not be less than 930 °C. Post-work annealing should be carried out to induce maximum corrosion resistance.
Most common cold working operations such as shearing, drawing, and stamping can be performed on 316L stainless steel. Post-work annealing should be carried out to remove internal stresses.