Within the A249, A269, A270 and A450 standards, the main types of Stainless Steel are 304 and 316L.
The basic difference between 304 and 316L steels, is that the latter contains molybdenum and less carbon than the former.
This particularity of the 316L increases its corrosion resistance, extending the life of the steel and consequently helping to reduce repair costs for installations.
The 'L' in 316L indicates that the carbon content is Low, maximum 0.035%, unlike types 304 and 316 which have a maximum of 0.080%.
Some tube manufacturers have chosen to produce 304L tube, whose composition is identical to that of 304 but with a maximum of 0.035% carbon.
Both steels have a predominantly austenitic metallographic structure, which includes a considerable percentage of chromium and nickel. This characteristic makes this material particularly suitable for various applications:
304 - mainly used in the food and beverage industry.
316L - mainly used in pharmaceutical, chemical, plastics, textile, paper, and even nuclear industries.
Despite these differences, visually, steels 304 and 316L steels are identical, so it is recommended to exercise caution when choosing the tubing to avoid unintentional mistakes in supplies.
For this reason, at OGMAN Tuberías Inoxidables, we provide material test reports (MTR) and quality certificates, which ensure the traceability of our products, offering peace of mind and confidence for their use in your processes.
We have trained staff to assist our customers in deciding which type of steel best suits their requirements.
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