316L Stainless Steel is a lower carbon version of 316 Stainless Steel. The lower carbon content of 316L stainless steel castings helps improve weldability and corrosion resistance compared to 316 stainless steel castings. The added molybdenum in 316L stainless steel castings gives the parts better resistance to pitting corrosion than conventional 304L stainless steel castings. This alloy is one of the most widely used grades of cast stainless steel in nearly every industry and is often used in seawater applications due to its resistance to pitting corrosion.
Stainless Steel Investment Casting Process
Stainless steel investment casting Stainless steel precision casting, also known as stainless steel precision casting, is a manufacturing process in which wax patterns are made and then coated with ceramic slurry to make molds. The wax is then melted out of the ceramic mold and the molten metal is poured into the cavity. The molten metal solidifies, and then the ceramic shell cracks or bursts, forming a metal casting. The stainless steel investment casting process has no minimum order quantity requirements and can cast 316L stainless steel parts in different sizes, so no matter what size project you have, it can be a fabrication solution. 316L stainless steel castings are commonly used in chemical and petrochemical industries, food processing, pharmaceutical equipment, medical devices, drinking water, wastewater treatment, marine applications, etc.
Processing of 316L Stainless Steel Castings
316L stainless steel castings tend to work harden if machined too quickly. Therefore, low speeds and constant feed rates are recommended.
Due to the lower carbon content, 316L stainless steel castings are also easier to machine than 316 stainless steel castings.