2.3.

8 Cr-Ni Austenitic Stainless Steels (Types 304, 304L, 316, 316L,317, 317L, 321, 347)
1. Reasons for Use
a. Excellent corrosion resistance to many inorganic andorganic acids and alkalis.
b. Very good resistance to high temperature oxidation andsulfidation.
c. 316 and 317 SS have good resistance to naphthenic acidcorrosion.
d. 321 and 347 SS are more resistant to sensitization andintergranular corrosion and cracking (such
aspolythionic acid cracking).
2. Problems
a. High cost.
b. Very high susceptibility to stress corrosion crackingin wet chlorides.
c. Very rapid intergranular corrosion and/or cracking(e.g., polythionic acid cracking) after
sensitizationby heating in temperature range of 700F to 1500F.
d. L grades usually allow fabrication withoutsensitization but may sensitize after prolongedservice in
the above temperature range.
e. For high temperature service, stabilized grades 321and 347 are recommended.
f. 321 may have poor strength at temperatures greaterthan 1100F.
g. 347 has welding problems. 347 weld and weld overlaymust be of the correct composition to prevent
sigmaphase formation and hot short cracking.