316 stainless steel: multifaceted performance
316 stainless steel is an austenitic stainless steel produced in accordance with the American ASTM standard. Its main alloying elements are chromium (16%-18%), nickel (10%-14%) and molybdenum (2%-3%). It has a stable austenitic structure at room temperature and is non-magnetic.
The biggest performance advantage of 316 stainless steel is its excellent corrosion resistance, which is mainly due to the addition of molybdenum, making it particularly outstanding in resisting chloride ion corrosion, far superior to ordinary stainless steel. At the same time, it has good heat resistance and can maintain stable mechanical properties under high temperature environment. In addition, 316 stainless steel also has good welding performance, high toughness and plasticity. Although its strength is relatively low, its comprehensive performance is excellent.
Based on these characteristics, 316 stainless steel is widely used. In the marine field, seawater is highly corrosive to metals. Due to its excellent corrosion resistance, 316 stainless steel is widely used in the manufacture of chemical systems, instrument control systems, lubricating oil systems, drinking water systems and other pipeline equipment on offshore platforms. It can ensure the purity of the internal medium and prevent the equipment from being corroded by seawater. In the food industry, its good corrosion resistance and hygiene make it an ideal material for food processing equipment, food pipelines, and tank containers, which can ensure that food is not contaminated during processing and storage. In the chemical industry, 316 stainless steel is often used to manufacture chemical equipment, valves, pipelines, etc. to cope with various corrosive chemical media. In the field of medical devices, it is also widely used in the manufacture of surgical instruments, implants, medical pipelines, etc. to ensure the safety and reliability of medical devices. With its excellent performance, 316 stainless steel plays a key role in many fields.