Production Description of Stainless Steel Sheet Plate

The main difference between AISI 316 (1.4401) stainless steel and AISI 316L (1.4404) stainless steel is the carbon content. The "L" stands for "low carbon" content.

Due to the lower carbon amount, AISI 316L (1.4404) stainless steel has a reduced risk of sensitization (grain boundary carbide precipitation). Yet, at the same time, it loses some of its strength.

AISI 316LN (1.4406) stainless steel is alloyed with nitrogen to compensate for the loss of strength.