317L stainless steel wire is identified under multiple naming conventions, including grade, alloy, and UNS designations; depending on the specification, industry, or standard being used.
Stainless steel 317L alloys are known by several names depending on the standard, specification, or drawing being used. Understanding these alternate names matters because the same alloy can appear under different designation systems across quotes, certifications, standards, and legacy prints. For buyers and engineers working with wire, this is especially important, since Stainless Steel 317L may be referenced through material standards tied to specific product forms and applications rather than by one simple trade name alone.
Type 317L is the traditional “Type” grade designation used throughout stainless steel specifications and industry practice and appears in technical descriptions, engineering standards, and material references for Stainless Steel 317L. Best for technical sales sheets, alloy descriptions, engineering drawings, and legacy documents where stainless steel grades are identified using the traditional Type system. Many engineers, buyers, and metallurgists still reference stainless grades in “Type” terminology, making this designation familiar, easy to recognize, and well aligned with longstanding industry documentation.
AISI 317L is the designation derived from the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) stainless steel grade classification system. Best for engineering discussions, procurement cross-references, technical specifications, and older North American documents that continue to use AISI terminology. The use of AISI 317L immediately identifies the material as the widely recognized low-carbon, high-molybdenum austenitic stainless steel grade rather than simply a commercial trade name, making it useful for technical communication, material selection, and specification review across a wide range of industries.
UNS S31703 is the official Unified Numbering System (UNS) designation for Stainless Steel 317L. Best for formal material identification, cross-referencing between industry standards, quality assurance documentation, mill certifications, engineering specifications, and multi-standard procurement requirements. This designation serves as the clearest and most unambiguous identifier when matching Stainless Steel 317L across different specification systems and international standards. It is especially useful when a drawing, certification, purchase order, or compliance document requires a formal material designation rather than a commercial or trade-style name.
Grade 317L is a generic technical descriptor commonly used in datasheets, engineering references, technical articles, and educational materials for the alloy. Best for technical overviews, material comparisons, specification discussions, and informational content. It reads naturally in explanatory writing and is particularly useful when comparing stainless steel grades, such as Grade 317L vs. Grade 317 or Grade 317L vs. Grade 316L. Because it uses straightforward technical language rather than a specific standards designation, Grade 317L is widely understood by engineers, buyers, students, and industry professionals across a broad range of applications.
Low Carbon 317 Stainless Steel is a common descriptive name for Stainless Steel 317L, highlighting its reduced carbon content and improved weldability compared to standard Type 317. Best for technical overviews, welding applications, procurement discussions, and educational content. This designation emphasizes the alloy’s ability to resist carbide precipitation and intergranular corrosion after welding while maintaining the superior corrosion resistance associated with its high molybdenum content.
High Molybdenum Stainless Steel is a common descriptive term for Stainless Steel 317L, highlighting its elevated molybdenum content and superior corrosion resistance compared to many conventional stainless steel grades. Best for corrosion-resistance discussions, chemical processing applications, technical overviews, and alloy comparisons. This designation emphasizes the alloy’s enhanced resistance to pitting, crevice corrosion, and aggressive chemical environments while also identifying it as the low-carbon version of Type 317 for improved weldability and resistance to intergranular corrosion.
Molybdenum-Bearing Stainless Steel is a general technical description commonly used for Stainless Steel 317L because of its elevated molybdenum content, which enhances resistance to pitting, crevice corrosion, and chemical attack. Best for educational content, metallurgy discussions, and corrosion-resistance comparisons. This designation highlights one of the alloy’s key performance characteristics and helps distinguish Stainless Steel 317L from standard chromium-nickel stainless steel grades while also emphasizing its low-carbon composition and excellent weldability.
18-13-3 Low Carbon Stainless Steel is a chemistry-based designation commonly used to describe Stainless Steel 317L based on its approximate composition of 18% chromium, 13% nickel, 3% molybdenum, and reduced carbon content. Best for educational content, alloy comparisons, and technical discussions focused on stainless steel chemistry. This designation highlights the alloy’s enhanced corrosion resistance, excellent weldability, and low-carbon composition while identifying it as a member of the high-molybdenum austenitic stainless steel family.
Chemical Process Stainless Steel is a common industry description for Stainless Steel 317L due to its exceptional resistance to corrosive chemicals, acids, and aggressive processing environments. Best for chemical manufacturing, pharmaceutical processing, pollution control equipment, and technical content focused on corrosion-resistant materials. This designation highlights the alloy’s high molybdenum content, low-carbon chemistry, and superior corrosion performance, making Stainless Steel 317L a preferred choice for demanding chemical processing applications where both corrosion resistance and weldability are critical.
Corrosion Resistant Stainless Steel is a general technical description commonly used for Stainless Steel 317L because of its outstanding resistance to chemical attack, pitting, crevice corrosion, and other forms of localized corrosion. Best for educational content, industry overviews, and corrosion-resistance comparisons. This designation highlights one of the alloy’s most important performance characteristics and helps distinguish Stainless Steel 317L from conventional stainless steel grades, particularly in aggressive chemical and chloride-containing environments where long-term durability is critical.
Chromium-Nickel-Molybdenum Austenitic Stainless Steel is a broad technical description used to classify Stainless Steel 317L based on its alloy chemistry and crystal structure. Best for educational content, metallurgy discussions, and technical overviews of stainless steel families. This designation highlights the alloy’s chromium, nickel, and molybdenum content, which contribute to its excellent corrosion resistance, toughness, and durability, while identifying it as a low-carbon member of the austenitic stainless steel family with enhanced weldability and resistance to intergranular corrosion.
Stainless steel wire alloys are used in various industries, including:
Sunset Wire can manufacture custom diameters of SS317L for your project. Common sizes of Type 317L include:
Sunset Wire stocks a large inventory of stainless steel wire to ensure you get it fast. Get your wire in 1 lb cans, 1 lb spools or 5 lb spools. Other spool sizes are available upon request.
Why Choose Sunset Wire?
Sunset Wire provides domestically drawn wire in various diameters, lengths and packages. Get your stainless steel wire delivered anywhere in the US thanks to our large inventory and dedicated supply chain management capabilities.