SAE 316L stainless steel

SAE 316L grade stainless steel is an austenic variety of stainless steel given the American SAE designation "316L" which indicates that this steel is low-carbon subtype of marine grade stainless steel containing 16-18% chromium, 10-14% nickel, 2.0-3.0% molybdenum, and no more than 0.03% carbon, 2% manganese, 0.75% silicon, 0.045% phosphorus, 0.03% sulphur, and 0.1% nitrogen by weight, with the remainder consisting entirely of iron (by comparison, regular 316 grade may contain up to 0.08% carbon by weight). It is the preferred variety of stainless steel for many medical devices.^[1]

References

1. Disegi, John A.; Zardiackas, Lyle D. (2003). "Metallurgical and mechanical evaluation of 316L stainless steel orthopedic cable". In Winters, Gary L.; Nutt, Michael J. Stainless Steels for Medical and Surgical Applications. ASTM International. p. 195. ISBN 978-0-8031-3459-1.