Operating temperature of 316L

Due to its resistance to intergranular corrosion, 316L is primarily used in equipment or pipelines in urea plants where the concentration of ammonium carbamate is high. In these devices or pipelines, the actual operating temperature rarely exceeds 180–190°C, so the operating temperature is not high; as a result, no specifications regarding the temperature range are required.

Temperature shouldn’t be an issue; even temperatures over 400 degrees are no problem! ! It depends on certain operating conditions of yours~~

316L stainless steel is in accordance with GB150, and its maximum operating temperature is 450°C. It should be noted, however, that GB150-98 stipulates that when austenitic stainless steel is used at temperatures above 525°C, its carbon content must be at least 0.04%. This is because when such steel is used at temperatures between 500°C and 550°C, a low carbon content leads to a significant reduction in strength and oxidation resistance. Therefore, the typical operating temperature range for ultra-low carbon austenitic stainless steels is as follows: type 18-9 can be used up to around 400 degrees, while type 18-12-2 can be used up to around 450 degrees. When the operating temperature exceeds 600–650 degrees, a 316 grade material with a higher carbon content can be used, such as the H-grade 316 available abroad.

The operating temperature for 316L should be kept below 450 degrees. When the temperature becomes too high, the strength of steel decreases significantly due to its low carbon content.

Thank you! “A 316 grade material with a higher carbon content can be used, such as the H-grade 316 available abroad. May I ask what the carbon content is for grade H 316 material, given that its maximum operating temperature can reach 650°C? Are there any other requirements during use?

Composition of 304H stainless steel: Nickel (Ni) 8%~11%, Chromium (Cr) 18%-20%, Carbon (C) 0.04%-0.10%, Manganese (Mn) 1%-2%, Silicon (Si) 1%-1.5%. Characteristics of 304H: It is a stainless heat-resistant steel with good properties for bending and welding, excellent corrosion resistance, high endurance strength and structural stability, as well as very good capacity for cold deformation. The maximum operating temperature can reach 650°C, and the maximum oxidation resistance temperature can reach 850°C.

Question: How can the statement \"The maximum antioxidant temperature can reach 850°C\" be explained?

Generally, steel is prone to oxidation at high temperatures (above 560°C), mainly because FeO, which is brittle and porous, forms at these temperatures; this substance tends to flake off easily, ultimately leading to the damage of the component. If the oxide film formed through oxidation does not adhere tightly to the surface of the steel and peels off, the oxidation process will continue, with layers peeling away one after another, eventually leading to damage. When the working temperature of steel exceeds 570°C, the issue of oxidation resistance must be taken into consideration. Adding chromium to steel results in an oxide film that provides excellent protection, and this is the main method for improving a steel’s resistance to high-temperature oxidation. In addition to being used in wet erosion, stainless steel is also employed in high-temperature applications due to its high chromium content, which grants it excellent performance at high temperatures.

What are the differences between 304H and regular 304 material?

Our factory mainly uses it in equipment or pipelines within urea plants where the concentration of ammonium methoxide is high. In these devices or pipes, the operating temperature rarely exceeds 180~190°C. In areas where the temperature of the urine conduit exceeds 220 degrees, 316L material can no longer be used. It is also widely used for gasification, with little need to consider temperature or corrosion issues. The applicable temperature for 316L depends on the properties of the medium, generally ranging from -196 to 450 degrees.