316 vs 316L stainless

[somename75]

Anyone know what i should expect when milling 316L? I have done some work in 316 quite a while ago, but this stuff seems much nastier. Thanks

[Guest SAIPEM]

The "L" in 316L designates that it has a maximum carbon content of 0.03 percent.

 

It's the low-carbon version of 316

 

http://www.azom.com/details.asp?ArticleID=2382

[3R!< W3NG3R]

as far as I understand it, you use 316L instead of 316 if you are welding it.I find it machines about the same. We do notice a big difference from one bar to the next though. Some will break edges every 30 parts and others will machine 200 fine.

[somename75]

Thanks guys, i am running a job for the second time, and this time all my damn tools wont hold up for cr@p. Hopefully the next bar will be kinder. thanks again

[ducati]

The mill specs dont really always seem the same when you go to cutting the L grade. My past experience the L is usually same as or a little easier. Of course.... repeatability between bar composition seems to have room for improvement.

[Müřlıń®]

L is softer and it is for electro magnatic apps...

 

You use L if you want to be absolutely sure it never magnatizes. Even after welding.

[Guest]

quote:

---

Of course.... repeatability between bar composition seems to have room for improvement.

---

This is where the Carpenter 70 series shines, it cuts the same bar to bar to bar, and it cuts a little freer than "stock" 316

[Robert Ouellette]

+1000 for Carpenter stainless. i was working on some gun parts in 410ss and we tried some regular ss for the prototypes. no repeatability from one to the next. switched to Carpenter and from the first to the last part 3 yrs later we were getting the exact same tool life and part size. thats 3 yrs, 24-7, 150 parts per day. never had to guess on when i will change a tool again. nice

[Storkman]

We get the majority of our material from Carpenter. Good stuff.

[somename75]

Thanks for the ideas guys, will be looking into carpenter steels today.

[Thee Dragracer1951]

What cutters are you using?

I have an ongoing 316L job that I use a ton of half inch endmills. I use variable helix EM's from Carbide Connection. They out perform Data Flutes and the rest of the high priced endmills that I have tried. I get them for about $34 apiece in quantitys of 25.

200sfm and .003 per flute. Drill an entry hole and go as deep as you have HP for. They like a little over half the dia for radial DOC.

I can certainly agree that the material is different piece to piece....

Nasty stuff.

Carpenters is much mo betta

[somename75]

So far I have tried mostly Hanita Varimills, and Niagra stabalizers, they do alright but the corners are blowing off at random intervals. I have tried lots of different approaches, mostly high speed area clear, with .1 doc, and 45% radial, with not much sucess. I have strong suspusion that this stuff has something abrasive in it.

[CAM-mando]

As SAIPEM said it is the low carbon variant of 316.

 

It is weldable and also preferred for FDA / food processing equipment.

 

I use same speeds and feeds for 316/316L but I too cast my vote for Carpenter Project 70+ which is definately more consistent and worth the extra money.

 

316 can work harden so I would take a healthy chip load.

[?Mark]

Varimill--280 SFM---.002-.003 ipt.

Do it all the time with great tool life in tougher ss than 316l.

Also +1000 to Carpenter

 

edit:

if you ruin the corners prematurely, run it with no coolant and turn on the air. You'll be surprised

hth