Developed to resist the attack of sulfuric acid compounds, this alloy combines good corrosion resistance with excellent mechanical properties and ease of fabrication. These alloys are frequently used for flue gas desulfurization services in fossil-fuel power plants. Compared to other austenitic stainless steels, 317L offers a higher creep strength, stress to rupture, and tensile strength at elevated temperatures.

The higher molybdenum and chromium content of 317L provides excellent corrosion resistance compared to stainless steel grades like 304 or 316, and it resists phosphoric acid, sulfuric acid, and chloride pitting/crevice corrosion. The low carbon content of this grade of 317 also provides resistance to sensitization during welding, which allows it to maintain its corrosion resistance at grain boundaries and prevent intergranular stress corrosion cracking.

While 317L cannot be hardened by heat treatment, it can be cold worked.