X2CrNiMo17-12-2 (1.4404 / 316L) — European Stainless Steel for Chemical & Marine Service
EN 10088-3 · Published: 2026-06-11 · Updated: 2026-06-12
X2CrNiMo17-12-2 is the EN 10088 designation for what is globally known as 316L stainless steel. The EN nomenclature encodes the composition: X (high alloy), 2 (0.02% carbon max — the 'L' for low carbon), Cr17 (17% chromium), Ni12 (12% nickel),...
X2CrNiMo17-12-2 is the EN 10088 designation for what is globally known as 316L stainless steel. The EN nomenclature encodes the composition: X (high alloy), 2 (0.02% carbon max — the 'L' for low carbon), Cr17 (17% chromium), Ni12 (12% nickel), Mo2 (2% molybdenum). The molybdenum addition provides pitting resistance in chloride environments, making this the standard grade for marine, chemical processing, and pharmaceutical applications across Europe.
Quick Facts
| Category | |
| Standard | EN 10088-3 |
| Density | 8.0 g/cm³ |
| Yield Strength | 200 MPa |
| Tensile Strength | 500-700 MPa |
Global Equivalents & Cross-Reference
| Alternative Standard / Grade | Action |
|---|---|
| ASTM 316L | Compare |
| JIS SUS316L | Compare |
| GB 022Cr17Ni12Mo2 | Compare |
| ISO 4404-316-03-I | Compare |
Related Materials
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do I decode EN stainless steel names like X2CrNiMo17-12-2?
The EN naming system for stainless steels is fully compositional. X = high alloy steel. The first number = carbon content × 100 (2 = 0.02% max). Chemical symbols in descending order of content. The trailing numbers = percentage of each element (17% Cr, 12% Ni, 2% Mo). So X2CrNiMo17-12-2 = low-carbon (0.02% max) austenitic stainless with 17Cr-12Ni-2Mo. This is more informative than AISI 316L once you learn the system, because it tells you the exact composition directly in the name.
References & International Standards
- ASTM International. Standard Specifications for Steel & Metal Alloys. astm.org
- International Organization for Standardization (ISO). Metallic Materials — Cross-Reference Database. iso.org
- American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI). Steel Grade Designations & Equivalents. steel.org
- European Committee for Standardization (CEN). EN Steel Standards & Numbering System. cencenelec.eu