316L stainless steel is low carbon version of 316 stainless steel. Compared with 316 stainless steel castings, the lower carbon content of 316L stainless steel castings helps improve the weldability as well as corrosion resistance. The added Molybedum in 316L stainless steel castings gives the parts much better pitting resistance than the traditional 304L stainless steel castings. This alloy is one of the most widely used cast stainless steel grades showing up in just about every industry and is often used in seawater applications due to the pitting resistance.
Chemical Compostions & Mechanical Properties
| Grade | C | Mn | Si | P | S | Cr | Mo | Ni | N | |
| 316L | Min | – | – | – | – | – | 16 | 2 | 10 | – |
| Max | 0.03 | 2 | 0.75 | 0.045 | 0.03 | 18 | 3 | 14 | 0.1 |
| Grade | Tensile Str (MPa) min | Yield Str 0.2% Proof (MPa) min | Elong (% in 50 mm) min | Hardness | |
| Rockwell B (HR B) max | Brinell (HB) max | ||||
| 316L | 485 | 170 | 40 | 95 | 217 |
Stainless Steel Investment Casting Process
Stainless steel investment casting, also known as stainless steel precision casting, is a manufacturing process in which a wax pattern is created and then coated with a ceramic slurry to create a mold. The wax is then melted out of the ceramic mold and molten metal is poured into the cavity. The molten metal solidifies and the ceramic shell is then broken or blasted off, creating a metal casting. The stainless steel investment casting process does not require a minimum order quantity and can cast 316L stainless steel parts in different sizes, so it can be a manufacturing solution no matter what size project you are working on. 316L stainless steel castings are commonly used in chemical and petrochemical industry, in food processing, pharmaceutical equipment, medical devices, in potable water, wastewater treatment, in marine applications, etc.
Machining of 316L Stainless Steel Castings
316L stainless steel castings tend to work harden if they are machined too quickly. For this reason, low speeds and constant feed rates are recommended.
316L stainless steel castings are also easier to machine compared to 316 stainless steel castings due to its lower carbon content.
Advantages of Casting Stainless Steel in CFS
CFS Stainless Steel Foundry is a comprehensive company that can supply all related services for stainless steel investment castings, such as mold making, casting, heat treatment, machining, surface finish, custom package and so on. All these services enable us to become one stop shop of stainless steel castings. In our Foundry, different grades and types of stainless steel are available to creat stainless steel products by investment casting method.