316 ss or 316L ss
- Thread starter Navicula
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316L is better for salt water environment.
What allows 'stainless' to bloom rust is the surface finish quality. Choose a mechanically 'mirror polished' mill finish for best corrosion resistance.
Are you sure you want heavy walled 'pipe' ... or do you want tubing? Stainless is sold 'by the pound' and tubing with which can be as strong for structural components as pipe being less in weight will be far cheaper.
What allows 'stainless' to bloom rust is the surface finish quality. Choose a mechanically 'mirror polished' mill finish for best corrosion resistance.
Are you sure you want heavy walled 'pipe' ... or do you want tubing? Stainless is sold 'by the pound' and tubing with which can be as strong for structural components as pipe being less in weight will be far cheaper.
I'm guessing that you're looking at SS tubing rather than pipe. SS pipe (due to the wall thickness) would be a real bear to cold bend.
But as far as 316 SS versus 316L SS for corrosion resistance, they're both about the same in a salt water environment EXCEPT if you intend to hot form or weld it. The 316 will then have problems because its carbon content will react with the chromium and give you a localized chromium poor area .......... and corrosion. The 316L has much less carbon to mix with the chromium so better corrosion resistance after welding.
But that information still isn't much help to you as marine grade SS tubing is most commonly available as 304 SS. I'd think 316 SS tubing would come at a pricey premium.
But rest assured as 304 SS tubing requires little or no maintenance. Take a look at the rattiest old boat in your marina and the one area which is still pristine will be the SS railings.
Mind you, having said that, there's a mid 2000 Catalina (no offense intended) in our marina which has light staining all over the tubing, stem to stern. This tubing has got to be an offshore special.
Start out with SS tubing in the WM catalogue and them see if you can do better for price in your area.
But as far as 316 SS versus 316L SS for corrosion resistance, they're both about the same in a salt water environment EXCEPT if you intend to hot form or weld it. The 316 will then have problems because its carbon content will react with the chromium and give you a localized chromium poor area .......... and corrosion. The 316L has much less carbon to mix with the chromium so better corrosion resistance after welding.
But that information still isn't much help to you as marine grade SS tubing is most commonly available as 304 SS. I'd think 316 SS tubing would come at a pricey premium.
But rest assured as 304 SS tubing requires little or no maintenance. Take a look at the rattiest old boat in your marina and the one area which is still pristine will be the SS railings.
Mind you, having said that, there's a mid 2000 Catalina (no offense intended) in our marina which has light staining all over the tubing, stem to stern. This tubing has got to be an offshore special.
Start out with SS tubing in the WM catalogue and them see if you can do better for price in your area.
Why not splurge???
Be the envy of your dock!!
For just a few extra bucks, I would go with 24k plating.,
Be the envy of your dock!!
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