316L equivalent grades: ASTM, EN, JIS, GB, DIN
316L is low-carbon austenitic chromium-nickel-molybdenum stainless steel specified in ASTM A240. Substitutes are collected here from 3 standard systems; the grading column says whether a certificate covers the swap or an engineer has to. The full 316L data sheet carries the composition and mechanical tables.
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Where a drawing says 316L, 1-4404, 1.4404 satisfies it as written, with no concession needed. The near matches are 316, 1.4571; what differ is the tested condition, not the alloy. 304, 304L, A333 Grade 6 and 1 more serve in the same applications, but the composition differs enough that the engineer signs it off, not the buyer. The table holds 4 in EN (European), 3 in AISI / SAE, 1 in ASTM / ASME.
Cross-reference table
| Grade | System | Match | Why / differences |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-4404 | EN (European) | Identical | 1.4404 is the EN material number for this grade; X2CrNiMo17-12-2 is its descriptive name. |
| 1.4404 | EN (European) | Identical | UNS S31603 (ASTM A240): C ≤ 0.03, Cr 16–18, Ni 10–14, Mo 2–3; 1.4404 sits inside the 316L window and is dual-certified. |
| 316 | AISI / SAE | Near | Identical alloy with carbon to 0.08 % and slightly higher strength minima. Most material sold today is dual certified to both. |
| 1.4571 | EN (European) | Near | Same corrosion class; 316L achieves weld-zone stability by low carbon instead of Ti. Usual substitute outside Europe. |
| 304 | AISI / SAE | Functional | The same austenitic family without molybdenum. Adequate in most atmospheres, not in chlorides — the substitution runs one way only. |
| 304L | AISI / SAE | Functional | UNS S31603 adds 2–2.5 % molybdenum for chloride resistance. Specify it instead of 304L near the sea, in de-icing salt or in pool environments — the low-carbon logic is identical. |
| A333 Grade 6 | ASTM / ASME | Functional | Austenitic stainless steel has no ductile-to-brittle transition, so it needs no impact test at cryogenic temperature and is often the alternative to a nickel steel below about −100 °C. It costs several times more and has a much higher thermal expansion. |
| 2205 | EN (European) | Functional | Duplex with roughly twice the yield and a PREN around 35. Specified when 316L pits or when wall thickness has to come down. |
Identical, near and functional are defined once on the grade index; the reason column below says which limit differs in each case.
316L in EN (European)
- 1-4404 — Identical 1.4404 is the EN material number for this grade; X2CrNiMo17-12-2 is its descriptive name.
- 1.4404 — Identical UNS S31603 (ASTM A240): C ≤ 0.03, Cr 16–18, Ni 10–14, Mo 2–3; 1.4404 sits inside the 316L window and is dual-certified.
- 1.4571 — Near Same corrosion class; 316L achieves weld-zone stability by low carbon instead of Ti. Usual substitute outside Europe.
- 2205 — Functional Duplex with roughly twice the yield and a PREN around 35. Specified when 316L pits or when wall thickness has to come down.
316L in AISI / SAE
- 316 — Near Identical alloy with carbon to 0.08 % and slightly higher strength minima. Most material sold today is dual certified to both.
- 304 — Functional The same austenitic family without molybdenum. Adequate in most atmospheres, not in chlorides — the substitution runs one way only.
- 304L — Functional UNS S31603 adds 2–2.5 % molybdenum for chloride resistance. Specify it instead of 304L near the sea, in de-icing salt or in pool environments — the low-carbon logic is identical.
316L in ASTM / ASME
- A333 Grade 6 — Functional Austenitic stainless steel has no ductile-to-brittle transition, so it needs no impact test at cryogenic temperature and is often the alternative to a nickel steel below about −100 °C. It costs several times more and has a much higher thermal expansion.
Superseded names for 316L
- X2CrNiMo17-12-2 — EN 10088-2 name: The descriptive EN designation: 0.02 % C, 17 % Cr, 12 % Ni, 2 % Mo.
- SUS 316L — JIS G4304 / G4305: The Japanese designation; ranges are effectively the same.
- 1.4435 — EN 10088-2: Not the same grade — a higher-molybdenum, higher-nickel variant (2.5–3.0 % Mo) often specified for pharmaceutical service and sometimes confused with 1.4404.
Key data for 316L
Full composition, mechanical properties by thickness, heat treatment and applications for 316L →
Verified against EN 10088-2:2014 · ASTM A240/A240M. Last checked: November 2026.